Case Study: RUNA achieves authentic college brand advocacy and boosts awareness & purchase intent with PurPics sampling

Runa Increases Authentic Brand Advocacy With Targeted Sampling

RUNA, a plant-powered energy drink made from guayusa, needed to reach untapped college consumers but lacked a collegiate field marketing program. To access Gen Z students and drive authentic awareness through sampling, RUNA partnered with Purpics and its peer-influencer sampling platform to run targeted on‑campus campaigns.

Purpics coordinated activations at UCLA, UCSD, SDSU and NYU, distributing 11,888 samples and leveraging student influencers to generate authentic UGC (222 total posts, 160+ high-quality pieces) with a 48.1% average engagement rate. The program also raised over $5,500 for student causes and delivered measurable business impact for RUNA — including a 28% lift in brand awareness and a 37% increase in purchase intent post-campaign.

RUNA

William Lane

Brand Director