2025 AA Awards: Highlighting the projects that earned the prizes
McCullough Creative was proud to take home five awards—recognition of the bold thinking and dedicated teamwork that go into everything we create.
Jeff Montgomery
Content Strategist
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Each year, the American Advertising Awards celebrate the ideas, craft, and collaboration that push our industry forward. The event highlights standout work from across the region, honoring the creativity and strategic thinking behind campaigns that make a real impact.
At the recent ceremony, McCullough Creative was proud to take home five awards across multiple different projects—recognition of the bold thinking and dedicated teamwork that go into everything we create.
The night also included some meaningful moments for our McCullough Creative family. Our very own Joezer Xavier was named Board Member of the Year, former team member Jan Sigwarth received the prestigious American Advertising Federation Silver Medal Award, and McCullough Creative was proud to support the program as a sponsor as well as a key donor to the student scholarship.
Of course, accolades are always appreciated. But what truly drives us is the opportunity to do great things with great clients—projects fueled by curiosity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to turning bold ideas into meaningful results.
Take a closer look at the work that earned recognition at the 2025 American Advertising Awards.
GOLD ADDY/ TOP THREE/ JUDGES' CHOICE
Multiple Installations
Corteva Branded Environments
When employees spend decades walking the same halls, thoughtful changes can make a powerful impact. For Corteva Agriscience™, the goal was simple: transform familiar spaces into environments that reflect the innovation happening inside them every day.
Starting with the flagship visitor center and expanding across the multi-building campus, we helped bring new life to Corteva’s workplace through vibrant environmental graphics and thoughtful design. Bright colors, striking photography, bold value statements, and precision craftsmanship work together to elevate everyday spaces—turning hallways, walls, and shared areas into expressions of the company’s pioneering spirit.
The result is more than a visual refresh. It’s a workplace that energizes employees, reinforces purpose, and celebrates the innovative culture that drives Corteva forward.
GOLD ADDY
Multiple Installations
University of Northern Iowa 150th Anniversary Exhibit
It begins with a bell.
More than an object, it serves as a call to reflection—bringing generations together to explore the story of the University of Northern Iowa and the path still unfolding ahead.
Created to celebrate UNI’s 150th anniversary, the exhibit invites visitors into a shared narrative of resilience, innovation, and belonging. Rather than presenting history as a fixed timeline, the experience unfolds as a conversation. Visitors wander, explore, and discover moments of growth and transformation guided by the voices of students both past and present.
Bold colors and repeating graphic elements create a contemporary visual language built around the idea of resonance—history echoing forward into today’s student experience. Anchored by a permanent installation and expanded through campus kiosks and a traveling version for community events, the exhibit ensures the celebration extends far beyond a single space.
The result is more than a commemoration. It’s an invitation to connect with a living legacy still being written.
SILVER ADDY
Interactive Media
University of Northern Iowa 150th Anniversary Touchscreen Experience
Telling 150 years of history is no small task. For the University of Northern Iowa’s anniversary exhibit, the challenge wasn’t simply gathering the stories—it was making them meaningful and accessible to every visitor.
Our touchscreen interactive transforms UNI’s expansive history into a self-guided, nonlinear journey. Rather than forcing visitors through a single narrative, the experience invites exploration. Users can follow their curiosity, choosing which stories to uncover and how deeply they want to dive.
From academic innovation and campus traditions to athletics and community impact, the interface organizes decades of history into clear, intuitive pathways. The design places control in the hands of the user, turning a large historical archive into an engaging and personal discovery experience.
By giving visitors the freedom to explore at their own pace, the touchscreen turns history from something observed into something experienced—helping each person find their own connection within UNI’s enduring story.