CoJMC public relations' students participate in The Bateman Competition

Wednesday, January 28, 2015 - 6:00pm

Public relations students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will be competing for the first time against colleges across the nation to develop and present a comprehensive public relations campaign in the Bateman Competition. The Public Relations Student Society of America sponsors the annual case study competition.

PRSSA offers several competitions each year, all of which provide students with the opportunity to work with real clients, apply public relations problem-solving skills, achieve recognition among their peers and future employers, and compete with other students at the national level.

“It’s the first time the College of Journalism and Mass Communications has entered Bateman,” said interim associate dean Frauke Hachtmann. “Our public relations’ students can get experience, learn about PR and have fun competing at the national level through the PRSSA Case Study Competition.”

The 2015 Bateman Competition has asked college students to raise awareness and spark local and national dialogue around the importance of affordable housing, in partnership with Home Matters®The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations and Edelman.

The goals of this year’s Bateman Competition are to increase awareness among the American public and educate them about the serious consequences of poor quality housing, as well as inform and engage communities in steps they can take to help Home Matters® take action now. Students will implement a campaign that aligns with the mission of the client's national movement or work with a local Home Matters® non-profit member. 

“There’s a housing crisis in America today,” said Dave Brown of Home Matters. “The pursuit of the American Dream is broader than ever and reflects new and changing American values. Having a physical shelter does not mean that individuals and families can feel safe, that their children will get a quality education, that the economy is improving or that they have the community support necessary to thrive. Home Matters is grateful for this opportunity from PRSSA to help us bring awareness and generate societal change to ensure every individual has access to a place they can call home.”

Teams of four or five are challenged to research, plan, implement and evaluate a comprehensive public relations campaign. Research and planning are completed November through January, teams implement in February and final entries are due to PRSSA headquarters in March. PRSA members and other professionals execute the judging. Three finalists are chosen to present their campaigns to sponsor representatives in May.

The first place team receives $2,500 and a trophy; second place receives $1,500 and a plaque; and third place receives $1,000 and a plaque. All teams will be recognized at the PRSSA national conference in October. 

Bryan Wang and Sheri Sallee are the University of Nebraska–Lincoln team advisors. Wang joined University of Nebraska–Lincoln as an assistant professor of public relations in the College of Journalism ad Mass Communications in 2012. Sallee is an assistant professor of practice who joined the College of Journalism and Mass Communications in fall 2014.

Students participating in the 2015 Bateman Competition and their hometowns are as follows:

NEBRASKA
Eagle – Aaron Pedigo
Garland – Reece Pekarek
Odell – Kelly Theye
Omaha – Samantha Callahan; Kei’Yana Thomas
Roseland – Chloe Gibson
York – Derek Dauel
Wellfleet – Tyler Bollish

OUT-OF-STATE
Parker, Colorado – Megan Tynecki
Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Lauren Catangui

About The Bateman Competition
The Bateman Case Study Competition originated in 1973 as a National Case Study allowing PRSSA members to exercise the analytical skills required for public relations problem solving. In 1983, the name of the competition was changed to honor the late J. Carroll Bateman, APR. Bateman was a past president of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and was instrumental in the founding of PRSSA.

For additional information and updates about the PRSSA 2015 Bateman Case Study Competition, visit http://prssa.prsa.org/. 

About Home Matters®
The Home Matters movement was launched in 2013 by a group of visionary housing professionals and leaders that identified a gap in public discourse. Fundamental societal challenges in our nation – from health to education, to public safety, the economy and individual success – all have a common denominator: their connection to Home. With a high-level holistic approach to house, Home Matters underlines the link between Home and these core societal issues such as health, education, safety, individual success and the economy.

About The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations
The Plank Center is the leading international resource for practitioners, educators and students who are passionate about advancing their careers and the public relations profession. Its mission is to help develop and recognize outstanding public relations leaders, role models and mentors to advance ethical public relations in an evolving, global society. 

About Edelman
Edelman is the world’s largest public relations firm, with more than 5,000 employees in 65 cities, as well as affiliates in more than 35 cities. Edelman was named one of Advertising Age’s “A-List Agencies” in both 2010 and 2011, and an “Agency to Watch” in 2014; Adweek’s “2011 PR Agency of the Year;” PRWeek’s “2011 Large PR Agency of the Year;” and The Holmes Report’s “2013 Global Agency of the Year” and its 2012 “Digital Agency of the Year.” Edelman has been awarded seven Cannes Lions including the Grand Prix for PR in 2014. Edelman was named one of the “Best Places to Work” by Advertising Age in 2010 and 2012 and among Glassdoor’s “Best Places to Work” in 2011, 2013 and 2014. Edelman owns specialty firms Edelman Berland (research), Edelman Deportivo (creative) Blue (advertising), BioScience Communications (medical communications) and agency Edelman Significa (Brazil). Visit http://www.edelman.com for more information.

About the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
The Public Relations Student Society of America (http://prssa.prsa.org/) is the foremost organization for students interested in public relations and communications. Founded in 1968 by its parent organization, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), PRSSA includes more than 11,000 student members and advisors, and is active at more than 320 colleges and universities.

 

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