The 2011 UF Bateman Case Study Competition team (L to R): J. Alex Glover, Elizabeth Dow, Maura Reese, Seeta Rebbapragada, Ruth Michel and faculty adviser Deanna K. W. Pelfrey. (Click photo to enlarge)

A team of University of Florida public relations students took first prize in the Public Relations Student Society of America’s (PRSSA) 2011 Bateman Case Study Competition. Conducted annually, the Bateman Competition judges teams of college students on their ability to develop and present a comprehensive public relations campaign.

Recent public relations graduates Elizabeth Dow, Alex Glover, Ruth Michel, Seeta Rebbapragada, and Maura Reese presented their campaign in person to Ally Financial representatives in New York City today. UF joined Elon University and Loyola University New Orleans in the finals.

“We are so proud of our Bateman team members, faculty adviser Deanna K.W. Pelfrey, APR, Fellow PRSA, and professional adviser Mickey G. Nall, APR, Fellow PRSA,” said Dean John Wright. “The Bateman campaign is the premier competition for public relations students. Their first place finish is a testament to the team’s hard work; they represent the best of the UF College of Journalism and Communications.”

UF’s Bateman teams have a long history of competing successfully in the case study competition. UF last won the competition in 2001; UF teams also won in 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1998.

First established as the National Case Study in 1973, and later renamed to honor the late Carroll J. Bateman, APR, the competition challenges teams of students to research, plan, implement and evaluate a public relations campaign for an actual client.

This year’s case, which was underwritten by Ally Financial, challenged public relations students to develop a plan to leverage the company’s existing SmartEdge financial literacy curriculum to activate an innovative, education program focused on serving low- to moderate-income communities. Forty-nine teams entered the competition this year.

Posted: May 13, 2011
Category: College News
Tagged as: Bateman