Public Relations Campaigns

The Public Relations Campaigns class (61-455) is offered every spring semester.  Students work together on solving a public relations problem by creating a public relations plan, and then carrying it out, which makes this class unique in the journalism department.

Past campaigns have included:

Caregiver recognition:  A “Care Fair” was organized for non-professional caregivers who take care of family and friends.  The event, held at Evergreen Retirement Center, included bingo games and prizes, refreshments, and information.
 

Habitat for Humanity:  “Every Hand Helps” was a Texas hold ‘em poker tournament that incorporated print materials and speeches to educate attendees about Habitat for Humanity. 

Student honesty:  Daily events during a “Cheat Week” generated media coverage on local television stations, in local newspapers, on WPR and even in LaCrosse.

Visa card and student financial responsibility:  “Credit . . .  and all that Jazz” used a Mardi Gras theme, complete with a jazz band, to draw students to games and other methods of learning about responsible use of credit cards.

Nutella:  In creating “Small Change:  Big Changes”, a way to acquaint students with the taste of Nutella, the class partnered with the local Humane Society to raise funds by offering Nutella samples for pocket change.

This class is sometimes referred to as Bateman, because it is based upon the Bateman Case Study competition sponsored by the Public Relations Student Society of America.  At the end of the class, students submit their book to the national organization for judging.  Since 2001, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has managed to place in the top ten in the nation two times, despite competition from around the country.

Students may also elect to work on other campaigns for this class, including the National Organ Donor Awareness campaign, also sponsored by PRSSA.  Typically the class meets for seven weeks, eight hours a week.  The class ends right before spring break.