2024 marks 50 years of advertising education in Australia.
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) offered the first advertising university program in 1974, followed by UTS 16 years later and a further seven universities in the following decade.
We celebrate the outstanding impact that our advertising graduates and our advertising academics have had on the advertising industry and people’s lives.
'Advertising has a profound impact on our culture, reflecting back our dreams and aspirations. We shouldn't be leaving the advertising we get to chance. It's vital that we are constantly studying how it works, getting educated on how to make it better and being curious about its impact.'
Five decades of advertising graduates
In this competition we identify an outstanding advertising graduate from each of the five decades, comparing the changes and challenges of studying and working in advertising.
To be eligible to enter, applicants must have studied an advertising major (not a minor) at an Australian university, and they must have worked in the advertising industry for at least 5 years.
Entries close 29 April.
'For 50 years insightful and creative graduates have been shaping the Australian advertising industry. So we think it is time to identify and acknowledge the great achievements that advertising graduates have made to our industry.'
Ad student X TikTok competition
The aim of the video is to inspire high school students to make an advertising major their first preference for university education. A judging panel of advertising industry people and academics will select one winner from every state, plus a national winner.
To enter this competition you must be an undergraduate student studying an advertising major at an Australian university.
Download the competition brief (PDF file, 137.4 KB)
Enter the competition by midnight August 25
Watch Paul Nagy, Chief Creative Officer at VML, explain why you should enter
'In this competition university students studying an advertising major are asked to create a TikTok video to encourage high school students to study advertising. Akin to the TikTok videos on “A Day in the Life”, the video seeks to engage high school students and visualize the enormous rewards of studying advertising at university.'
Advertising Educators Awards
Celebrating 50 years of advertising education in Australia, the Advertising Educator Awards acknowledge the innovation and excellence of Australian academics. Five awards, from emerging educators to those with more than 20 years experience, profile all areas of academic service including teaching, research and engagement.
Judged by an independent and international panel of advertising academics, the awards will be presented at a special session at ANZMAC in Tasmania in December.
- Applicant must be a current staff member in the advertising/IMC area at an Australian university.
- Address the factors for consideration in the award description.
- Provide evidence to support your application.
- Application must be no more than 1,000 words.
Download the award categories and guidelines (DOCX file, 103.4 KB)
'To acknowledge the academics who support our advertising graduates and our industry, we have created a special once-off awards to mark our 50 years.'
White Paper on the state of the advertising industry and the role of education
Drawing from secondary and primary research, as well as the insight of the industry’s top leaders, the White Paper develops a number of predictions and provides an important benchmark for the industry and advertising education.
- Adam Ferrier, chief thinker, Thinkerbell
- Gai Le Roy, CEO, Internet Advertising Bureau Australia
- Leigh Terry, APAC CEO, IPG Mediabrands
- Gayle Kerr, professor in advertising and IMC, Queensland University of Technology
- David Waller, associate professor, University of Technology Sydney Business School
- Steven Bellman, MediaScience research professor, Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science