WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue Brand Studio, Purdue University’s full-service, in-house marketing agency, was named April 29 as the No. 6 top agency globally, and No. 2 in the United States, in the 2025 MUSE Creative Awards — a prestigious international advertising awards platform celebrating excellence and innovation in the realms of creative design, advertising and digital media.
Purdue is the only university agency that earned a spot on the marketing list.
This recognition places Purdue Brand Studio ahead of many global commercial creative firms that serve brands like Porsche, Nike, and PepsiCo.
The MUSE awards offer three levels of recognition: platinum, gold, and silver. Purdue received nine individual awards for projects and campaigns that blend brand excellence with audience resonance.
Winning entries
Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Event — In April 2024, Purdue Brand Studio collaborated with two globally recognized brands — the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and NASA — for the Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Event. The interactive outdoor event at the famed raceway received four MUSE awards (two platinum, two gold) and garnered visits from national media, including “Good Morning America.” The event became the largest single day of earned media exposure in Purdue history.
“In Our STEM Era”—Purdue Brand Studio earned awards (one platinum, one gold, and one silver) in three categories for a pop-up maker space that coincided with one of the most anticipated concerts last November in Indianapolis, the final Taylor Swift Eras Tour. In partnership with e.l.f. Cosmetics (itself a MUSE award winner), the maker space is intended to foster excitement in science, technology, engineering, and math among young women.
“Boilers to Mars”—The marketing team received two gold awards for its first feature film. Purdue Brand Studio produced and premiered the 10-minute short film last September. The film follows the academic and professional careers of four fictional Purdue students who meet as first-year undergraduates and ultimately participate in a historic first mission to Mars.
“This recognition reflects Purdue Brand Studio as not only a leader in higher education, but a competitor on the global stage,” said 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.”
In addition to the MUSE Creative Awards, the university’s marketing efforts have earned national and global recognition from industry-leading publications, including Fast Company’s “Brands That Matter.” For the fourth year in a row, Purdue was the only higher education institution to be named to the magazine’s prestigious list, which recognizes and honors organizations for their ability to convey their brand, perform their mission, and advance their ideals with intention and authenticity.
Purdue Brand Studio was a finalist for seven Digiday awards alongside consumer brands Coca-Cola, General Mills, and Marriott. Based on the content marketing division results, Purdue led all other individual institutions or creative agencies, with five finalists.
The in-house marketing team is on the short list in multiple categories for the 2025 DRUM Awards, which celebrate the best marketers and campaigns internationally. Purdue Brand Studio is a finalist in five categories and is competing against brands such as Dunkin’, Lululemon, and Sony.
Winners will be announced June 12.
