What is the Advertising Capstone Challenge?
The Advertising Capstone Challenge connects students with real clients and industry partners, to provide an authentic learning experience unlike any other in Australasia. Undergraduate students at Swinburne University of Technology, Western Sydney University, the University of the Sunshine Coast, Auckland University of Technology, and, in 2025, Curtin University, are presented with a ‘live’ client brief by a leading industry partner and are challenged to develop an innovative and strategic campaign in response.
Harry Dugmore
Harry Dugmore is a Senior Lecturer and Discipline Lead in Communication at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) School of Business and Creative Industries. Harry's experience and research covers the entertainment, marketing, and strategic communication industries.
Daniel Fastnedge
Daniel Fastnedge is a lecturer in advertising and brand creativity at the Auckland University of Technology. Dan has experience as an art director in London and Auckland at agencies including M&C Saatchi, FCB, Proximity, and Ogilvy One. His students have been recognised in with AXIS and D&AD student awards.
Daniel McKeating
Daniel McKeating is a lecturer in advertising and graphic design at Curtin University. Dan is also the co-founder of Lost & Found; a creative agency specialising in brand communications for the food and beverage sector. An alumnus of Curtin and RMIT University, Daniel has received multiple awards for teaching and student engagement.
John Greig
John Greig worked in the advertising industry for over 30 years before joining Western Sydney University in 2014. His industry experience covered problem solving and visual communications at a number of advertising agencies including Saatchi & Saatchi, McCann Worldwide, M&C Saatchi, Publics Mojo, Lowe Lintas and DDB Sydney.
David Reid
David Reid is a Lecturer and Discipline Lead in advertising at Swinburne University of Technology, having previously taught at Northumbria, Curtin, and Charles Sturt Universities. He has won Swinburne School, Faculty, and University level awards, as well as a National AAUT citation for his teaching and engagement with industry.
With thanks to these clients and their brands:
DDB
Deloitte Digital
Leo Burnett
AJF Partnership
M&C Saatchi
Bastion Creative
Special Group
TBWA
Ogilvy
The initiative has been supported by these industry partners:
Cricket Australia
7-Eleven
Lion
McDonalds
Suzuki
Tourism Australia
Cancer Institute NSW
Bonds
Nab
MILO
History of the Challenge
A decade ago, Swinburne University of Technology saw the need for undergraduate students to have more opportunities to gain real industry in their studies They began to embed real-world challenges into their advertising curriculum, culminating, in 2016, in the launch of the Advertising Capstone Challenge (ACC).
Initially in collaboration of The University of Queensland and, from 2019, with Western Sydney University, the idea was to bring clients to the classroom for hands-on learning and mentorship.
Fast forward to 2023 and the Advertising Capstone Challenge has grown to become an Australasian competition welcoming the University of the Sunshine Coast, and Auckland University of Technology as new partners. And in 2025, for our special 10th anniversary year, we are pleased to welcome Curtin University, Western Australia!
1188
Students participating
228
Finalists
41
Internships/mentorships offered
History of the Challenge
A decade ago, Swinburne University of Technology saw the need for undergraduate students to have more opportunities to gain real industry in their studies They began to embed real-world challenges into their advertising curriculum, culminating, in 2016, in the launch of the Advertising Capstone Challenge (ACC).
Initially in collaboration of The University of Queensland and, from 2019, with Western Sydney University, the idea was to bring clients to the classroom for hands-on learning and mentorship.
Fast forward to 2023 and the Advertising Capstone Challenge has grown to become an Australasian competition welcoming the University of the Sunshine Coast, and Auckland University of Technology as new partners. And in 2025, for our special 10th anniversary year, we are pleased to welcome Curtin University, Western Australia!
1188
Students participating
228
Finalists
41
Internships/mentorships offered