ATLANTA — Georgia State University won for best Visual Branding and Identity at the 2025 American Marketing Association (AMA) Atlanta Awards ceremony March 27 for its work branding the GSU Blue Line.
The recognition highlights Georgia State’s efforts developing an overall visual identity for the GSU Blue Line, the 3.7-mile walking path through the heart of the Atlanta Campus that connects academic, research and residential buildings, and other distinctive destinations.
The GSU Blue Line aims to improve infrastructure, define and brand the university’s footprint and create destination spaces that drive activity to the campus core.
The phased implementation of the GSU Blue Line is already underway and includes infrastructure upgrades, trail markers with an integrated digital experience, window vinyl and new murals that bring visual identity and vibrancy to the Atlanta Campus.
The AMA Atlanta Awards celebrate the best in marketing, branding and communications across the region, recognizing organizations that set new standards for creativity and effectiveness. Georgia State’s Division of Public Relations and Marketing Communications won for best overall strategy, and design and implementation of a new or refreshed brand identity.
“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our talented marketing, facilities, design and construction, and communications professionals,” said Jo Ann Herold, vice president for Public Relations and Marketing Communications at Georgia State. “The GSU Blue Line promises to be transformative for our university, and we’re so proud to be able to help it come to life.”
In addition, Ken Bernhardt, Regents’ Professor of Marketing Emeritus, was named the 2025 AMA Atlanta Visionary and received the Marketer for Good award. For more than 40 years, Bernhardt was a professor at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business. He has won four Outstanding Teacher Awards, the Alumni Distinguished Professor Award and received the university’s first Exceptional Service Award, given for outstanding service to the community.
His other work experience includes consulting for a number of organizations including Chick-fil-A, Leapfrog IT Services, the Federal Trade Commission and many of Atlanta’s Fortune 500 companies including UPS, Coca-Cola Company and The Home Depot.