SYDNEY, Today: A team from Auckland University of Technology, Nunchucks, has taken top honours in the 2025 Advertising Capstone Challenge (ACC), a trans-Tasman competition supported by Ogilvy and the team behind MILO.
The four-person AUT team earned mentorships with Ogilvy, shadowing leaders across departments as part of their win. ‘Stir Creative’ from the University of the Sunshine Coast also impressed judges, receiving the Highly Commended award.
Now celebrating its 10th year, the ACC bridges the gap between study and industry, giving final-year advertising and marketing students across Australia and New Zealand hands-on experience, real briefs, and connections to help launch their careers.
For the 10th anniversary challenge, students were asked to tackle real business problems for MILO, developing campaigns to connect with Gen Z audiences and build positive brand associations.
More than 200 students from five universities created full-service campaigns spanning strategy, creative, media, and evaluation. Nine teams made the shortlist, presenting to a judging panel from Ogilvy and MILO before ‘Nunchucks’ claimed the win.
“Getting the chance to collaborate with an iconic brand and leading agency was an amazing experience.” – Dan Fastnedge, AUT lecturer
Ogilvy Sydney Client Partner Damien Pashby said, “What an incredible display of emerging talent working on the MILO brand challenge. The energy, creativity, and consumer understanding the participants demonstrated was truly impressive.
“I’m delighted that Ogilvy could be part of this journey and have no doubt these students will have long and successful careers ahead.”
MILO Marketing Manager Eva Tran added, “At MILO, we believe in inspiring the next generation and supporting the Capstone Challenge is just one way we do that. Our team were blown away by the potential, possibilities and emerging talent coming from the advertising students.”
AUT lecturer Dan Fastnedge said, “Getting the chance to collaborate with an iconic brand and leading agency was an amazing experience. It’s always rewarding to see students take what they’ve learned and apply it so confidently to a real-world brief — and to see that hard work recognised with a win.”
Since 2016, more than 1200 students across 240 teams have taken part in the ACC, with over 40 internships awarded to winners among 230 finalists. This year’s participants came from AUT, Swinburne University of Technology, Western Sydney University, University of the Sunshine Coast, and Curtin University.
Nunchucks (Winners)
Unique Florence Viernes
Jay Readings
Olive Cato
Bella-Lucia Griffin
Stir Creative (Highly Commended)
Jade Fulton
Jessica Albinsson
Meg Jones
Zoe Wilkie
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