Purdue Brand Studio Shines on the Global Stage: A Testament to Creative Brilliance
West Lafayette, Ind. — In an exhilarating turn of events, Purdue Brand Studio, Purdue University’s innovative in-house marketing agency, has achieved remarkable recognition as the No. 6 top agency globally and the No. 2 agency in the United States at the 2025 MUSE Creative Awards. This prestigious international awards platform celebrates excellence and ingenuity in advertising, creative design, and digital media, showcasing talents that span the globe.
What Makes This Achievement Stand Out?
Purdue Brand Studio is not just any marketing agency; it is the only university agency to make this coveted list. By standing shoulder-to-shoulder with powerhouses like Porsche, Nike, and PepsiCo, Purdue demonstrates that it is not only here to stay but also ready to redefine the norms of marketing in education.
A Testament to Creative Excellence: MUSE Creative Awards
The MUSE Awards were established to recognize the pinnacle of creative achievements, with accolades distributed at three levels—platinum, gold, and silver. Purdue Brand Studio garnered an impressive nine individual awards for its innovative projects that skillfully merge brand excellence with audience engagement, setting new benchmarks in marketing efficacy.
Showcase of Winning Entries
Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Event
In a groundbreaking collaboration with Indianapolis Motor Speedway and NASA, Purdue Brand Studio orchestrated the Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Event in April 2024. This interactive event turned the iconic raceway into a spectacle, receiving four MUSE awards (two platinum and two gold) and attracting national media attention, including coverage by Good Morning America. The event resulted in the largest single day of earned media exposure in Purdue’s history.“In Our STEM Era”
Recognized with three awards—one platinum, one gold, and one silver—this initiative was designed to ignite enthusiasm for STEM fields among young women during the much-anticipated Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert. Collaborating with e.l.f. Cosmetics, another MUSE award winner, Purdue created an engaging pop-up makerspace that has set the stage for future STEM initiatives.- “Boilers to Mars”
Purdue’s marketing prowess extended to film with its first feature, the 10-minute short film “Boilers to Mars.” Premiered last September, this compelling narrative follows the journeys of four fictional Purdue students who embark on a groundbreaking mission to Mars, culminating in two gold awards.
“This recognition reflects Purdue Brand Studio as not only a leader in higher education, but a competitor on the global stage,” expressed Kelly Hiller, Purdue’s chief marketing officer. “The results of our work are a testament to the culture of persistent, meaningful, and authentic storytelling excellence our team pursues every day to continually elevate Purdue’s visibility.”
National and Global Recognition on the Rise
In addition to the MUSE Creative Awards, Purdue’s marketing campaigns have earned accolades from industry-leading platforms, including being featured in Fast Company’s “Brands That Matter.” For four consecutive years, Purdue has been the sole higher education institution to be included in this prestigious list, celebrating organizations that masterfully convey their brand while advancing their mission and ideals with intent and authenticity.
Purdue Brand Studio’s accolades extend further, as they were finalists for seven Digiday awards, standing proudly alongside major consumer brands like Coca-Cola and Marriott. Their exceptional performance in content marketing led them to lead all other institutions, with five finalists in various categories.
Moreover, Purdue is on the shortlist for multiple categories in the 2025 DRUM Awards, an event that recognizes the best marketers and groundbreaking campaigns worldwide. Competing against renowned brands like Dunkin’, lululemon, and Sony, Purdue’s in-house team continues to make waves.
Upcoming Announcements
Mark your calendars: winners of the 2025 MUSE Creative Awards will be revealed on June 12, and the excitement is palpable as Purdue awaits the results of its innovative endeavors.
About Purdue University
Purdue University stands as a beacon of research and academic excellence in the United States. Ranked among the top 10 public universities, Purdue is committed to affordability and accessibility, having frozen tuition for 14 consecutive years. With over 107,000 students spread across its campuses, the university continuously strives to push the boundaries of knowledge and innovation. Discover more about Purdue’s forward-thinking initiatives at the Purdue President’s Strategic Initiatives.
By harnessing storytelling and creative excellence, Purdue Brand Studio is not just shaping the future of marketing in higher education—it is crafting narratives that resonate globally.
