Hungry Talks Live: a night of bold ideas and industry connection at RMIT

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Hungry Talks Live: a night of bold ideas and industry connection at RMIT

On 22 October, students, alumni and industry professionals came together at RMIT’s Kaleide Theatre for Hungry Talks Live – a celebration of creativity, connection and the future of advertising.

The event, formerly known as Pitch Night, has evolved into a key moment in the student experience, offering a platform for final-year students to showcase their work and engage with industry.

This year’s event introduced the Sharpies Awards for the advertising industry, a new initiative led by RMIT advertising students to recognise the agencies and individuals who have made a meaningful impact on their learning and creative development. Named after the iconic Sharpie pen – synonymous with creativity, from brainstorming to design – the awards honour bold ideas, inspiring alumni and industry champions who support student growth.

Hungry Talks Live hosts Imi Hillier and Nic Cartledge energise the crowd as they kick off the night and introduce the inaugural Sharpies Awards.

Hungry Talks Live hosts Imi Hillier and Nic Cartledge energise the crowd as they kick off the night and introduce the inaugural Sharpies Awards.

Award winners for 2025

How did they get that past the client? award

Recognises bold creativity or unconventional ideas in advertising or integrated marketing communications.
Winner: Sunday Gravy – Didi: Yes I Didi

Wish I had thought of that! award

Celebrates an outstanding RMIT advertising alumnus for their contribution to an inspiring campaign.
Winner: Gid Goldberg, DDB Melbourne – Solid Lines: The Forbidden Flagmoji

Students’ choice award

Awarded to the most admired campaign of the year, as voted by RMIT advertising students.
Winner: TBWA Melbourne – Specsavers: Welcome to Melbourne

Advertising student, Charlotte Vanden Hil presents the students' choice award to TBWA for Specsavers: Welcome to Melbourne.

Advertising student, Charlotte Vanden Hil presents the students' choice award to TBWA for Specsavers: Welcome to Melbourne.

Gives the biggest s* about our students award

Recognises an individual or organisation that has meaningfully supported and encouraged RMIT advertising students.
Winner: Matt Stoddart, TBWA Melbourne

Matt Stoddard, TBWA, accepts the award for gives the biggest s* about our students.

Matt Stoddard, TBWA, accepts the award for gives the biggest s* about our students.

Scamp champ award

Presented to a student who has demonstrated highly developed creative skills through Hungry Talks quick briefs.
Winner: Shyla Borg

"I am incredibly proud to have been awarded Scamp Champ 2025 at Hungry Talks Live. I had so much fun responding to the quick briefs and being able to take that opportunity to simply enjoy the creative process.”
– Shyla Borg (second-year advertising student)

These awards – and Hungry Talks more broadly – not only celebrate creative excellence but also foster meaningful connections between students and the industry they’re preparing to enter.

“Hungry Talks is a student-led initiative that brings together creativity, industry and community in a way that’s uniquely RMIT. It’s a space where students take the lead, celebrate bold ideas and build real connections with the professionals who inspire them.”
– John Dingeldei, Industry Fellow, School of Media and Communication

Beyond the awards, Hungry Talks Live offered a space for students to connect with industry, showcase their portfolios and build confidence as they prepare to graduate. With pre-show drinks, a live show and networking into the evening, the event captured the spirit of RMIT’s advertising program: curious, irreverent and deeply engaged with the professional world.

Hungry Talks Live continues to be a compelling example of how student-led initiatives can shape meaningful industry relationships and create lasting impact. For many attendees, it wasn’t just a celebration – it was a glimpse into the future of advertising.

Watch Hungry Talks 2025: The Sharpies Awards

30 October 2025

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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