The University of Sydney is marking 175 years since its founding in 1850 with a new campaign that celebrates its legacy and the ongoing commitment to ‘leadership for good,’ via Today the Brave.
The campaign will come to life through 45 and 30-second hero films, supported by 15 and 6-second cutdowns and a suite of out-of-home placements.
It marks another collaboration between the University of Sydney and Today the Brave, continuing a partnership that has produced several campaigns in recent years.
The new campaign celebrates 175 years of the University of Sydney by shining a light on the student experience across generations. Told through the eyes of students past and present, it explores what it feels like to be part of the University across generations and disciplines.
Blending archival footage with contemporary moments, the work shows how each generation of students shared the same drive to learn, to lead, and to make a difference, embodying the University’s enduring idea of ‘Leadership for Good’.
Working closely with the University’s archival team, the creative explored thousands of images to uncover defining moments, matching perspectives and locations to create a connection between past and present.
“Our 175th year is an opportunity to recognise the generations of students who have been part of the University’s story. Students are at the heart of everything we do, and it’s a privilege to celebrate them. The experiences they have here and the impact they go on to make across society continue to define who we are and remind us that leadership for good starts here, and with them,” Johanna Lowe, chief marketing and communications officer, University of Sydney, said.
“It’s been an honour to help tell the story of Australia’s first university, a brand with such a deep legacy and heritage. A project like this only comes to life through true collaboration, and we were lucky to work with clients and partners who were every bit as passionate and invested as we were,” Jade Manning, creative partner at Today the Brave, added.
The campaign builds on the University’s enduring idea of ‘Leadership for Good’ – a belief that universities exist to serve the public, advance knowledge, and empower people to shape a better future.

