ELSAH, IL (March 4, 2026)— Principia College, in collaboration with creative agency Grown Creative, is proud to announce it has earned both Gold and Silver awards in the 2026 Saint Louis American Advertising Awards (ADDY), hosted by the St. Louis Ad Club. The honor recognizes the creative excellence behind the College's recent admissions campaign and new brand identity.
The Gold Award was presented to Principia for its college admissions kit which included a custom-designed admissions box, five program brochures, bookmarks, bellybands, and updated branding around the College’s new Academic Centers. The Silver Award recognized the College’s integrated brand identity campaign, recognizing the College’s full rebrand—the development of the new “P” mark, a refreshed panther mascot and iconography, and the institutional wordmark.
“This is a meaningful moment for our team and for the College,” said Principia College Marketing Director Steve John. “In my 20+ years in the industry, I’ve been fortunate to receive multiple awards, but this one was different because it’s my alma mater—the place that shaped me, supported me, and showed me what was possible. Working with Grown allowed us to articulate what makes Principia extraordinary.”
The American Advertising Awards are hosted nationally by the American Advertising Federation and represent the advertising industry’s largest creative competition, drawing more than 25,000 entries annually. Work is judged across three tiers—local, district, and national—and spans all media types, including digital, print, and broadcast. Gold awards represent the highest level of creative excellence, while Silver recognizes outstanding quality.
The St. Louis competition marks the first stage of the three-tier national process. Gold winners advance to one of fifteen district competitions, where they compete against other Gold recipients. District winners then move on to the national competition of the American Advertising Awards. The St. Louis American Advertising Awards were presented on February 19, 2026.
Principia College’s Gold-winning admissions kit will advance to the district competition in Chicago, where it will compete against other regional Gold winners.
“I am especially grateful for our partnership with Grown Creative, an award-winning creative agency, on this project and many others,” said John. “Additionally, this recognition reflects our strong collaborative partnership with Principia College Admissions and the importance of high-quality creative for enrollment growth.”
For more information about Principia College and its programs, visit www.principiacollege.edu.
