Enhance Your Education

The Bateman Case Study Competition is PRSSA’s premier national case study competition for public relations students, and gives you an opportunity to apply your classroom education and internship experiences to create and implement a full public relations campaign.

2012 Campaign

Childhood obesity has tripled in the past 30 years. Today, one in three children is obese. The issue has become a significant public health problem in the United States; many health officials and experts consider childhood obesity an epidemic.

The 2012 Bateman Case Study Competition goals are to increase awareness among children, teenagers and their parents of the serious short and long-term consequences of obesity, inform them of the steps they can take to adopt a healthier lifestyle and provide incentives to take action now.

The client-of-record for this competition is United Way Worldwide. The sponsor is General Mills. Teams will need to identify and partner with their local United Way and may also partner with one or more local organizations with similar missions and goals to create a local cause-related public relations campaign. The campaign should aim to reverse the rising trend of childhood obesity in a sustainable way by advocating for healthy lifestyles through education, outreach and other tactics.

• Cover Letter (PDF)
• Project Brief (PDF)
• Project Brief Updated Nov. 14 (PDF)
• Competition Rules (PDF)
• Timeline (PDF)
• Intent-to-Enter Form (Word or PDF)

Campaign Updates

Review Campaign updates here (most recent update: January 5).

Competition Scope

The Bateman Competition doesn’t ask you to simply draft a proposal. In teams of four or five, you 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.

After an extensive judging process executed by PRSA members and other professionals, 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 are recognized at the PRSSA National Conference.

Past Competitions

Whether you are new to the competition or have participated before, review these past campaigns to see the creativity, thoroughness and strategic thinking that go into winning campaigns each year.

• 2011 Ally Financial
• 2010 U.S. Census Bureau
• 2009 “Hit the Books Running”
• 2008 “Safe Kids Buckle Up”
• 2007 “Family Caregiving . . . it’s not all up to you!”
• 2006 Habitat for Humanity
• 2005 “Advancing Ethical Behavior in Academic Performance by Students”
• 2004 Ford Motor Credit Company
• 2003 Ferrero U.S.A., Inc. (Nutella)
• 2002 Contiki Holidays
• 2001 VISA U.S.A.
• 2000 Solobiz.com

About the Competition

First established as the National Case Study in 1973, and later renamed to honor the late Carroll J. Bateman, APR, it challenges teams of students to research, plan, implement and evaluate a public relations campaign for an actual client. More than 75 teams enter the competition each year, giving students real-world experience that can translate to resume additions, portfolio pieces and even jobs. After an extensive judging process, three finalists are chosen to present their campaigns to the sponsor, who receives the right to ideas presented. Past sponsors have included the American Heart Association, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Visa U.S.A., Ford Motor Credit Company, and most recently, the United States Census Bureau. If your company is interested in enhancing the educational experience of public relations students, while also benefitting from their hard work, knowledge and resources, find out more about becoming a competition sponsor.