RMIT University has announced a partnership with the First Nations creative agency, Little Rocket, aimed at enhancing its Master of Marketing curriculum. Starting in Semester 1 of 2026, students will engage with Little Rocket on real-world projects, focusing on culturally safe marketing strategies that resonate with First Nations audiences.
The collaboration seeks to integrate best practices into the program, allowing students to develop comprehensive solutions to client briefs using innovative marketing techniques. As a First Nations-owned business, Little Rocket plays a crucial role in supporting communities dedicated to preserving cultural heritage and land.
Little Rocket has successfully led numerous nationwide marketing campaigns, collaborating with various stakeholders including Yarra Trams, the Melbourne Fringe Festival, and the Reserve Bank of Australia. Recently, the agency assisted Reconciliation Australia in crafting the theme for the 2025 National Reconciliation Week campaign, titled “Bridging Now to Next.”
Expanding Educational Horizons
Travis McLellan, Account Director at Little Rocket, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing its potential to enhance students’ marketing strategies. “We hope that we can broaden students’ views on key areas around communication and marketing in a modern post-colonial landscape. This includes effectively harnessing alternatives in amplifying voices, allyship, and addressing unconscious bias,” McLellan stated.
John Burgess, the Founder of Little Rocket and a proud Gurindji man, highlighted the significance of this partnership in accelerating the reconciliation process. “These sorts of opportunities enable a peer-to-peer exchange of modern, strategic, and creative applications,” he said. Burgess looks forward to collaborating with RMIT to create positive outcomes for students, the agency, and the broader First Nations community.
The formalization of the partnership took place last month, involving key members from the RMIT College of Business and Law including Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Picker, Reconciliation Advisor Henry Purcell, and Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Strategy, International and Engagement, Mathews Nkhoma, along with Master of Marketing program manager Daniel Rayne.
Bridging Education and Industry
According to Rayne, the partnership with Little Rocket aligns strongly with the College’s vision. “As a First Nations-owned and operated marketing agency, they bring invaluable insights that resonate with our goals at RMIT,” he noted. The collaboration is designed to provide students with essential skills that prepare them for an evolving workforce, while also fostering connections that could lead to future opportunities.
In addition to cultural engagement, the partnership will enhance students’ technical capabilities across various disciplines, including marketing, communication design, audio-visual content, and event management. Rayne expressed excitement about the impact this collaboration will have on students’ learning experiences.
“Little Rocket’s innovative, socially driven projects provide our students with the chance to learn from an organization that actively addresses real social issues through marketing,” Rayne said. He is optimistic about the enriching experience this partnership will bring to the College of Business and Law at RMIT, highlighting the potential for significant educational and cultural advancements.
Through this partnership, RMIT is poised to offer a more culturally inclusive and practical marketing education, benefiting students and the wider community.
