Past Winners 2025

2025 Past Winners
2025 Brief | Ogilvy × MILO
| Team Name | Nunchucks |
|---|---|
| Student Names | Unique Florence Viernes, Jay Readings, Olive Cato, Bella-Lucia Griffin |
| University | Auckland University of Technology (AUT) |
Brief Objectives
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Reconnect MILO with young adults who still love the product but have begun to leave the brand and its childhood associations behind.
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Position MILO as the ultimate celebration of choice and personalisation, recognising that everyone has their own way of making and enjoying it.
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Develop a bold, surprising tactical idea that sparks high-conviction, low-stakes debate, encourages people to choose a side and puts MILO at the centre of the conversation.
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Use culturally relevant touchpoints—such as out-of-home, social, partnerships, packaging or a stunt—to generate attention within a $30,000 production budget.
Winning Pitch
Key Insight: Gen Z no longer see MILO as contemporary, but they still feel nostalgic and have strong opinions on how it should be made. Inspired by grassroots, low-budget internet moments, the team recognized that young people don’t want to be advertised to; they want to take part in authentic conversations. Leveraging these high-spirited, low-stakes debates turned MILO into a cultural talking point.


Ogilvy × MILO
Ogilvy and their client, MILO®, presented a playful, culture-led brief for the 2025 Capstone Challenge. Students were tasked with developing a bold tactical idea that would make the iconic Australian brand feel relevant again to 17–30-year-olds by sparking high-conviction, low-stakes debate. Working within a $30,000 production budget, teams needed to create a small moment capable of punching above its weight and putting MILO® at the centre of the conversation.
2026 Brief
ACC 2026
SUNNY ADVERTISING × BAILEY LADDERS
We are very excited that Sunny Advertising is confirmed as our agency partner for this year’s challenge, creating a brief alongside their client, Bailey Ladders.

About Sunny Advertising
Sunny Advertising is an independent Australian advertising and media agency specialising in brand strategy, traditional and digital media planning and public relations. The agency partners with organisations across Australia and internationally to deliver data-driven marketing strategies that drive measurable growth. www.sunnyadvertising.com.au

About Bailey Ladders
Bailey has the largest range of ladders and access products in Australia. The range includes step stools, single-sided, double-sided, dual-purpose, platform stepladders, multi-purpose ladders, access platforms and extension ladders, Bailey’s defining design feature for step ladders is the Punchlock tread to stile
connection.
All products are manufactured and tested to Australian Standards – AS 1892 Potable Ladders.
AUSTRALIA’S #1 LADDER BRAND
TRUSTED BY AUSSIE TRADIES FOR OVER 70 YEARS
THE FIRST ONE YOU’LL BUY AND THE LAST ONE YOU’LL OWN

About the Advertising Capstone Challenge
The Advertising Capstone Challenge is an national university competition bringing together advertising and marketing students from leading Australian and New Zealand universities to work on real industry briefs. Now entering its 11th year, the program provides students with hands-on experience developing campaigns and pitching ideas in a professional agency environment. www.advertisingcapstonechallenge.com
15th July
Live Brief Launched
Brief issued to all participating universities. Watch the WIP session recording and start your research.
30th July – 20th August
Client Q&A Window
Submit your questions via the ACC portal. Sunny and Bailey will respond in a live Q&A session.
5–9th October
Submissions Due
Final campaign decks submitted via the ACC platform. No extensions.
12th October
Finalists Notified
Shortlisted teams are contacted and briefed for Industry Day presentations.
29th October
Pitch Day
Agency, media, and client side judges. Breakout sessions, trade expo, production crew on site. Winning team announced — on a ladder.

15th July
Live Brief Launched
Brief issued to all participating universities. Watch the WIP session recording and start your research.
30th July – 20th August
Client Q&A Window
Submit your questions via the ACC portal. Sunny and Bailey will respond in a live Q&A session.
5–9th October
Submissions Due
Final campaign decks submitted via the ACC platform. No extensions.
12th October
Finalists Notified
Shortlisted teams are contacted and briefed for Industry Day presentations.
29th October
Pitch Day
Agency, media, and client side judges. Breakout sessions, trade expo, production crew on site. Winning team announced — on a ladder.


Stephen Laughlan, Marketing Manager, Bailey Ladders; Sarah McNeil, CEO Sunny Advertising; Dr Harry Dugmore 2026 ACC local hosting committee Chair
MEDIA RELEASE – LAUNCH DATE: JULY 30, 2026
Sunny Advertising named agency partner for the 2026 Advertising Capstone Challenge
Indie agency Sunny Advertising has been confirmed as the Official Agency Partner for the 2026 Advertising Capstone Challenge (ACC), marking a significant milestone as the first agency outside Sydney or Melbourne to be selected to host the Australasian university competition.
Over the past 11 years, the annual Advertising Capstone Challenge has brought together leading universities from across Australia and New Zealand. Students receive a real client brief developed by the partner agency and its chosen client. After internal university competitions, the top two teams from each of the five universities – advance to the national final, where they pitch their campaign strategies to the client and agency in a live pitch environment.
The 2026 final will take place on the Sunshine Coast from 29 and 30 October and will bring together over 50 students, academics and industry professionals for a full day of presentations, judging and networking.
Sunny Advertising CEO Sarah McNeil said the partnership reflects the agency’s ongoing commitment to developing emerging industry talent.
“We have supported the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) students for more than a decade through industry bursaries, internships, work opportunities and ongoing collaborations, we are also active in other key industry groups including the Independent Media Agencies of Australia (IMAA).
“We do this because it’s part of our DNA and hosting the Advertising Capstone Challenge is another meaningful opportunity for us to deepen our commitment to develop future industry talent locally, nationally and internationally.
“Being selected as the agency partner for this year’s Capstone Challenge also demonstrates that regional, independent agencies can deliver strategic thinking, creativity and world-class campaigns across local, national and international markets.
“We are also delighted to have our long-term client Bailey Ladders as the client for the students to work on as part of the campaign. Bailey Ladders is celebrating its 70th birthday this year so it’s a great opportunity for all Capstone participants to learn more about the business and develop a range of creative campaigns which celebrates this important legacy,” Sarah said.
Advertising Capstone Challenge convenor, UniSC academic Dr Harry Dugmore said the program plays an important role in preparing students for careers in advertising and marketing.
“The Advertising Capstone Challenge is one of the most valuable learning experiences our advertising, design and marketing students can undertake. It allows them to work on real industry briefs, think strategically, and present their ideas in a professional agency environment while working to a client’s budget and timeline.
“We are delighted that Sunny Advertising, a Sunshine Coast-based agency working with local, national and international clients, has been selected as the partner agency for 2026.
“Historically, the Capstone Challenge has been hosted by major metropolitan agencies including DDB, Leo Burnett, Bastion and Ogilvy, this makes Sunny Advertising’s appointment a notable moment for the industry.
“We are excited to receive the brief from Sunny Advertising’s client Bailey Ladders and we are keen to see how students from Auckland University of Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Curtin University, Western Sydney University and the University of the Sunshine Coast respond with their proposals. The Capstone Challenge consistently showcases the wonderful creativity and deep levels of strategic thinking of the next generation of advertising and marketing professionals,” Dr Dugmore said.
Sponsor
With thanks to this year’s ACC sponsor:

Media Contact
Sunny Advertising
Peppi Bueti
0447 131 306
Past Winners 2024

2024 Past Winners
2024 Brief | TBWA\Melbourne × NAB
| Team Name | Bullseye |
|---|---|
| Student Names | Amber Ayers-Hughes, Logan D’Souza and Levi Mcmillian |
| University | Auckland University of Technology (AUT) |
Brief Objectives
- Commercially Gen Z is a future growth pipeline for NAB. If NAB can grow awareness and appeal with this audience, it will set up future growth as they mature (along with their banking needs).
- Reach at least 85% of P18-28
- Increase Awarenes of NAB with P18-28 by 250K
Winning Pitch
Key insight: To Gen Z, cash in their pocket is different from balances in the bank.
Key idea: Get into their Gen-Z’s minds through their pockets through ‘reverse pickpocketing’. Trained agents (professional magicians) will slip actual cash ($500,000) into the pockets of jackets and coats of Gen audiences at music festivals and in shopping malls, in unobtrusive and ethically vetted ways. The cash will be ‘marked’ with a removable sticker saying, for example, “You’ve been reverse pickpocketed – #Nabbed”. People will experience joy of the windfall cash and can keep the money (and use it after removing the sticker). Backed by an intense social media campaign, the campaign aims to reintroduce Gen-Z to NAB’s clever, cool, street-smart banking apps and services.


TWBA/Melbourne × Nab
TBWA\Melbourne and their client, NAB, created a challenging, fun and exciting brief entitled Gen Z Awareness. They asked student teams to develop a strategy that would find new and creative ways to reach, connect and engage with Gen Z, in ways that are meaningful to them, ultimately making them feel positive towards NAB (and remember who NAB are).
Past Winners 2022

2022 Past Winners
2022 Brief | Bastion × Cancer Institute, NSW
| Team Name | Brella Creative |
|---|---|
| Student Names | Alicia Henry, Chelsea Knight, Linda Montealegre, Emma Rutherford, Alex Tink & Adriana Yung |
| University | Swinburne University of Technology |
Brief Objectives
- Encourage Australians who currently vape to quit.
- Reduce the amount of young people taking up e-cigarettes
- Discourage overall e-cigarette use among 14-24 year olds within NSW.
Winning Pitch
The winning pitch from the Swinburne University of Technology presented their big idea ‘Why I won’t’, an emotional campaign that shares real stories from real young people that explain why they won’t use e-cigarettes.


Bastion, Sydney × Cancer Institute, NSW
Bastion and their client, Cancer Institute NSW, presented the 2022 Capstone Challenge – a behaviour change brief. Students were given the task of coming up with a campaign to address the ever-increasing issue of vaping among young people.
Past Winners 2021

2021 Past Winners
2021 Brief | M&C Saatchi × Tourism Australia
| Team Name | Nexus |
|---|---|
| Student Names | Naomi Janmaat, Xavier Ventura, Thomas Ayton, Tanya Asuncion, Saahiel Dhillon & Charles Jacob – mentored by Dr Tej Pochun |
| University | Swinburne University of Technology |
Brief Objectives
- Drive visitation and increase bookings.
- Rebuild desirability for cities as a holiday destination.
- Ultimately build collective confidence of domestic travel.
Winning Pitch
The winning pitch from the Swinburne University of Technology presented their big idea ‘mateship’. Combining this idea of mateship with a charming Aussie persona and unforgettable experience to convey a campaign which encouraged Australians to “see the city, support the country”.


M&C Saatchi, Sydney × Tourism Australia
M&C Saatchi and their client, Tourism Australia, presented the 2021 Capstone Challenge to promote Australian cities as destinations. They asked teams to develop a strategy that would persuade the community that travelling to cities remains an excellent and safe option.
Past Winners 2020

2020 Past Winners
2020 Brief | Deloitte Digital × Suzuki
| Team Name | Ignite |
|---|---|
| Student Names | Chelsea Johnston, Charlotte Wright, Sam Jackson, Ellise Logan and Tom Clark. |
| University | The University of Queensland |
Brief Objectives
- Increase brand salience amongst an Australian audience.
- Develop a platform which would increase brand consideration.
- Ultimately drive sales of the current range.
Winning Pitch
The winning pitch from The University of Queensland presented their big idea ‘For Fun’s Sake’, with the campaign tagline, “The Next Big Thing”. They adopted a quirky, light-hearted approach to spread the message and boost retention.


Deloitte Digital, Sydney × Suzuki
Deloitte and their client, Suzuki, presented the 2020 Capstone Challenge to future-proof the brand and business. They asked teams to develop a strategy that would help Japan’s 4th largest automaker brand gain a larger share of the automotive market.
Past Winners 2019

2019 Past Winners
2019 Brief | McDonald's
| Team Name | Muler |
|---|---|
| Student Names | Delaney Lang-Lemckert, Stephanie Mathers, Zoe Edwards, Jiruo Wang, and Lukas Russell |
| University | The University of Queensland |
Brief Objectives
- Cement McDonald’s as a preferred fast-food destination by improving the brand’s love and trust scores
- Have Aussies choose McDonald’s without hesitation because it’s a feel good choice
- Change the idea that convenience is a road-block to sustainability and eco-friendliness
Winning Pitch
The winning pitch from The University of Queensland presented their big idea to ‘Go Green and Gold’, with the campaign tagline, “Small Changes. Big Difference. Still the Same Maccas”. They created a celebration of Aussie pride by combining the uniquely Australian McDonald’s experiences with a detailed plan for waste reduction and sustainability education.


Doyle Dane Bernbach × McDonalds
DDB and their client, McDonald’s, presented the 2019 McCapstone Challenge to future-proof the brand and business. They asked teams to develop a strategy that would show young consumers how, at McDonald’s, convenience and environmental sustainability go hand-in-hand.
Past Winners 2018

2018 Past Winners
2018 Brief | Lion’s Dare Iced Coffee
| Team Name | Scope |
|---|---|
| Student Names | Nada Sau, Laura Peebles, Courtney Bree, Brenton Gardiner, Michael Jakubicki, and Myles Deering |
| University | Swinburne University of Technology |
Brief Objectives
- Improve the brand’s image through social responsibility perceptions and consumer recommendations
- Maintain current sales growth trajectory of 7% year-over-year growth
- Increase positive sentiment towards Lion marketing campaigns through key retail partners such as: Coles, Woolworths and 7Eleven
Winning Pitch
The winning pitch came from Swinburne University of Technology who presented their campaign, ‘GOT GUILT?’, which used humorous storytelling to make light of environmental guilt. Through their sustainable design strategy and creative catch-phrases, they used relatable consumer experiences to showcase Dare’s increased drive for eco-friendliness.


AFJ Partnership × Dare Ice Coffee
AFJ Partnership, a Melbourne-based agency and their client, Dare Iced Coffee, provided students with the ‘live’ brief for 2017. Students were challenged to create and communicate the brand’s improved sustainability and environmental benefits by its move to use of PET packaging.
Past Winners 2017

2017 Past Winners
2017 Brief | 7-Eleven Slurpee
| Team Name | One Idea |
|---|---|
| Student Names | Rebekah England, Felicia Leong, Ruby Mazzocco, Daniel Vesel |
| University | Swinburne University of Technology |
Brief Objectives
- Raise the stakes and give Slurpee a competitive edge, namely improving BYO Cup Day
- Increase Slurpee’s reputation as the ‘most exciting brand in frozen beverages’
- Renew the public’s appreciation for the ‘Slurpee experience’
Winning Pitch
The winning pitch was from Swinburne University of Technology, who came up with a campaign called ‘Slurp-Tea’. Their multi-channel campaign used natural design aesthetics to promote a focus on health and organic ingredients which would revitalise the Slurpee experience during even the coldest time of year.


Leo Burnett × 7-Eleven
Melbourne-based agency Leo Burnett asked teams to create the next ‘big thing’ for their client, Slurpee. This brief focussed on how digital platforms can be used to expand product reach, and attract sales from the target audience of university students.
Past Winners 2016

2016 Past Winners
2016 Brief | Cricket Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League
| Team Name | Big Media |
|---|---|
| Student Names | Elise Biddle, Jodie Rees, Georgia McDermott, Monty Quaife-Ryan, and Patrick Bevitt |
| University | The University of Queensland |
Brief Objectives
- Spread awareness of the WBBL as its own entity
- Increase audience and viewership of broadcasted WBBL games
- Inspire the next generation of players by increasing female participation
Winning Pitch
The winning pitch came from The University of Queensland, who proposed the idea of a “New Daddy-Daughter Day”. This connected the existing passionate cricket audience with a younger potential audience, and created a campaign that would also address the social issue of the communication gap between fathers and daughters.


M&C × SAATCHI
M&C Saatchi provided ACCA with its first ever brief for the competition in collaboration with their client, Cricket Australia. The challenge was to create an integrated campaign for the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), and devise a plan of how the new competition would best be positioned in a male-dominated industry to ultimately attract female support and engagement.


























































































































































