Source: Courtney Boman, cdboman@k-state.edu

Friday, May 13, 2011

STUDENT PUBLIC RELATIONS TEAM CAMPAIGNS WAY TO TOP IN NATIONAL COMPETITION

MANHATTAN -- Just call it a slam dunk for a Kansas State University student public relations team.

K-State's PowercatPR chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America recently won the Fleishman-Hillard national Home Court Advantage campaign. The chapter competed against seven other state universities for a $1,500 award and a recommendation letter from the nationally known public relations and integrated marketing firm.

The goal of the Home Court Advantage campaign was to increase sales at local Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants and create a strategic public relations plan.

The PowercatPR team created a public relations campaign to promote watching basketball games at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Aggieville. The team's campaign, four "Wing N' Watch" events during the K-State men's basketball season, increased restaurant sales up to 68 percent.

"The partnership between Buffalo Wild Wings and the PRSSA members at K-State was phenomenal. I could not have asked for a better group to work with," said Scott Klone, manager of Buffalo Wild Wings in Aggieville. "They went above and beyond what I expected before, during and after each event. The co-chairs were in constant contact with me leading up to each event. They really took ownership of this and ran with it."

The co-chairs of "Wing N' Watch" were Courtney Boman, junior in public relations, Auburn; and Lauren Swirbul, sophomore in public relations, Overland Park.

The PowercatPR chapter will use the money to send members to the Public Relations Student Society of America's national conference in the fall, along with providing professional development workshops for K-State students.

Powercat PR members also involved with the "Wing N' Watch" events campaign included:

Amanda Weishaar, senior in public relations, Lawrence; Danielle Stipe, junior in political communication, Manhattan; Hannah Skidmore, senior in public relations, Newton; Rachel Cunningham, senior in public relations and marketing, Oskaloosa; Danielle Row, junior in public relations, Overland Park; and Julia Wallis, junior in public relations, Shawnee.

From out of state: Sinivia McCoy, junior in social sciences, Portland, Ore.