Ohio University Student Public Relations Team Wins Award

Contact: PRSSA Chapter Advisor Bojinka Bishop, (740) 593-2675

ATHENS, Ohio (May 14, 2001) -- The Ohio University Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter received a national honorable mention for its "Financial EDucation" campaign entry in the National Bateman Case Study Competition.

The campaign team includes juniors Kate Jaeger of Croton, Ohio, and Erica Noble of Eaton, Ohio, sophomores Jamie Heberling of Fremont, Ohio, and Leslie Jimenez of Solon, Ohio, and freshman Michael Bertner of Columbus, Ohio. There were three place finishers, and five teams received honorable mention designation. The national PRSSA competition was sponsored by Visa USA.

"This accomplishment reflects the professionalism and diligence of the students," said Assistant Professor in Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Bojinka Bishop, the chapter's advisor.

The "Financial EDucation" campaign was patterned after the TV sitcom "Ed," which features a big-city lawyer who gives free legal advice to bowling alley patrons. Based on this idea, the team hosted a free bowling night at the Ohio University Baker Center to promote financial literacy. Financial experts, including Ohio University professors and community members, spoke to individuals about balancing their checkbooks, reading a credit card statement, getting out of debt and investing in the stock market. The campaign targeted young adults between the ages of 16 and 22.

"It was an amazing opportunity because we, as a team, implemented a public relations campaign from beginning to end," Jaeger said. "You rarely get that opportunity in the classroom setting."

The Bateman Case Study is PRSSA's most prestigious competition. Each participating team was required to conduct a formal public relations campaign, and judging was based on research, planning, execution, evaluation, effectiveness and creativity.

The PRSSA has more than 6,500 members in 220 chapters nationwide. The Ohio University PRSSA chapter has won a national award for nine consecutive years, including the Frederick Teahan Award for the outstanding newsletter this year. The newsletter can be viewed on-line at www.scripps.ohiou.edu/prssa/professional/. Additional information about the Ohio University PRSSA chapter can be obtained at http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~prssa/.