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, and Auckland University of Technology are presented with a ‘live’ client brief by a leading industry partner and are challenged to develop an innovative and strategic campaign in response.
Finalists present their campaign solutions to agency and client executives, with coveted industry internships and mentorships awarded to winning students, along with a trophy and certificate that they can add to their portfolio.
The authentic, industry-based learning ensures that the graduating talent of tomorrow are fully prepared with vital knowledge and skills necessary for today’s complex and constantly-evolving business environment.
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.
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 in advertising at Swinburne University of Technology, having previously taught at Charles Sturt, Curtin and Northumbria Universities. He has won Swinburne Faculty, and University level awards and a National AAUT citation for his teaching, and engagement with industry.
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.
The initiative has been supported by these industry partners:
M&C Saatchi
Melbourne
Leo Burnett
Melbourne
AJF Partnership
Melbourne
DDB
Sydney
Deloitte Digital
Melbourne
M&C Saatchi
Sydney
Bastion Creative
Sydney
Special Group
Melbourne
With thanks to these clients and their brands:
Cricket Australia
Womens Big Bash League
7-Eleven
Slurpee
Lion
Dare Iced Coffee
McDonalds
Australia
Suzuki
Australia
Tourism Australia
Australia
Cancer Institute NSW
NSW Government
Bonds
Pacific Brands Underwear Group
History of the Challenge
When Swinburne University of Technology realised a need for undergraduate students to gain real industry experience through their studies, they began to embed real-world challenges into their advertising curriculum.
This idea of bringing clients to the classroom for hands-on learning and mentorship evolved into the Advertising Capstone Challenge in 2016, with the collaboration of The University of Queensland. In 2019, Western Sydney University joined the challenge.
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,
700
Students participating
20
Industry Internships offered
116
Dynamic Teams formed
90
National Finalists