Ogilvy and MILO announced the winners of the 2025 Advertising Capstone Challenge (ACC), with a team called ‘Nunchucks’ from Auckland University of Technology (AUT) taking line honours.
The four-person team has been awarded mentorships with Ogilvy.
Ogilvy Sydney client partner, Damien Pashby, said of the campaigns developed as part of the annual competition:
“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,” said Pashby.
“I'm delighted that Ogilvy could be part of this journey and have no doubt these students will have long and successful careers ahead.”
‘Stir Creative’ from the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) was also recognised for its high-quality efforts, receiving the Highly Commended award.
Now in its 10th year, the program equips the next generation of talent with experience, industry connections and the skills to thrive in their future careers, offering a unique opportunity to final year advertising and marketing students from across Australia and New Zealand.
This year, participants were tasked with solving real business problems presented by the MILO team.
200 students working in teams from five universities then developed full-service campaigns, spanning strategy, creative, media and evaluation.
Nine shortlisted teams presented their campaign ideas to a panel of judges from Ogilvy and the MILO team before this year’s Capstone Challenge winner ‘Nunchucks’ was decided.
"At MILO, we believe in inspiring the next generation and supporting the Capstone Challenge is just one way we do that,” said MILO marketing manager, Eva Tran.
“Our team were blown away by the potential, possibilities and emerging talent coming from the advertising students.”
The Nunchucks team included Unique Florence Viernes, Jay Readings, Olive Cato and Bella-Lucia Griffin
Stir Creative included Jade Fulton, Jessica Albinsson, Meg Jones and Zoe Wilkie.
“Getting the chance to collaborate with an iconic brand and leading agency was an amazing experience,” said AUT lecturer Dan Fastnedge.
“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.”
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.