AUCKLAND, Today: Final-year advertising and marketing students from Auckland University will go head-to-head with peers across Australia in the 2025 Advertising Capstone Challenge, which officially kicks off this week with Ogilvy and MILO named as this year’s industry partners.
Now in its 10th year, the ACC is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice, helping students gain a competitive edge before they graduate. The program gives aspiring talent real-world experience, agency connections, and a shot at developing campaigns that could land them a foot in the door.
For this year’s challenge, students will respond to a brief from the team at MILO, tackling a real business problem and crafting creative, strategic advertising solutions that hit the mark.
Finalists will present their campaigns to a judging panel made up of leaders from Ogilvy Sydney and MILO. The winning team will score mentorships and invaluable career exposure.
Damien Pashby, Client Lead at Ogilvy Sydney said, “A career in advertising provides an opportunity to shape culture, spark ideas, and make an impact – and it’s also a heap of fun.
“At Ogilvy, we are absolutely delighted to support the 10th annual Capstone Challenge, along with our wonderful client partners at MILO.” – Damien Pashby
“At Ogilvy, we are absolutely delighted to support the 10th annual Capstone Challenge, along with our wonderful client partners at MILO, as we work together to build the next generation of industry professionals,” Pashby adds.
Nestlé Head of Marketing for Dairy, Siddharth Kajale added, “A fast-changing industry requires future thinking so we’re stress testing talent to think beyond the current realms of advertising to go outside the box, taking their theorical learnings into practice for a well-loved brand like MILO.”
Western Sydney University lecturer John Greig said, “We’re very excited to be working alongside two very iconic industry brands in Ogilvy and the MILO brand team for this year’s 10th Anniversary Capstone Challenge.
“This Australasian competition truly helps foster the next generation of advertising graduates! Thanks also go to this year’s ACC sponsors: Advertising Industry Careers, and AdNews.”
The student briefing will take place online on Wednesday 27 August, with shortlisted teams pitching their ideas in late October.
More than 1200 students in 240 teams have taken part in the ACC since it launched in 2016, with more than 40 internships awarded to finalists.
This year’s five participating universities include Western Sydney University, Swinburne University of Technology Melbourne, University of the Sunshine Coast Queensland, Auckland University New Zealand, and a 10th anniversary guest entry from Curtin University Perth.
- Check out previous campaigns and partners at: advertisingcapstonechallenge.com
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