Sunshine Coast independent agency Sunny Advertising has been named the official agency partner for the 2026 Advertising Capstone Challenge, becoming the first agency outside Sydney or Melbourne to host the national university competition in its 11-year history.
Previous host agencies have included DDB, Leo Burnett, Bastion and Ogilvy.
The 2026 final will take place on the Sunshine Coast October 29 and 30, bringing together more than 100 students, academics and industry professionals.
Participating universities are Auckland University of Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Curtin University, Western Sydney University and the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Students will work on a brief from Sunny Advertising's long-term client Bailey Ladders, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
Sunny Advertising CEO Sarah McNeil said the appointment demonstrated that regional independent agencies could deliver strategic thinking and creativity across local, national and international markets.
"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," she said.
Dr Harry Dugmore, ACC convenor and UniSC academic, said the program played 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," he said.
“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.”
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