SCM Students Accept Public Relations Award at National Conference in California

After finishing second in the prestigious Bateman Case Study Competition run by the Public Relations Student Society of America during the Spring 2024 semester, a team of School of Communication and Media students had one important task remaining: to fly across the country to formally receive their award and be recognized for their stellar work.

Members of SCM’s Bateman team from Montclair State University traveled to Anaheim, California earlier this month to attend the Public Relations Society of America’s International Conference (ICON) and collect their award. The Bateman Competition is the
premier national case study competition for public relations students that provides an opportunity to implement a full public relations campaign on behalf of a real client. ICON is an annual gathering of thousands of professionals from all over the world that also provides students with valuable opportunities to connect with top professionals in public relations, communications, and marketing. The event featured more than 20 sessions, including workshops, keynote speeches, and breakout sessions designed to enhance professional development and networking skills. 

Representing SCM at ICON were PRSSA Chapter President, Gina-Marie Zoccoli, and Kaylee Seitz, both of whom collaborated on the team’s campaign.  Zoccoli and Seitz accepted the team’s second place award on behalf of the team, which included Rianna Cafaro (’24), Gabriella Castillo (’24), and Diana Ochoa-Perez (’24).

“I attended Montclair for the opportunities it had with its proximity to Manhattan, I never expected my journey would take me across the country,” said Seitz. “Attending ICON and receiving the award has been such a surreal experience and I know both Gina-Marie and I are incredibly thankful for all of those who have supported our Bateman campaign which led us to this opportunity.”

ICON attracts prominent speakers from the PR, marketing, and media industries. Highlights from the conference included an Influencer Alchemy panel featuring Head of Media Relations, Experiential & Influencer Strategy at Wells Fargo, Nicole Dye-Anderson and founder of the Black Excellence Lunch, Trell Williams, and a Connect With Champions Breakfast, where students networked with over 50 different industry professionals, all eager to share their knowledge and experience. 

“I’m so grateful for the chance to attend ICON. This conference is vital for students to see what their careers can look like and to connect with others who share the same passion for communications,” Zoccoli said. “Sitting down with PRSSA members from top Division I schools made me realize that Montclair State University truly deserves a seat at the table. The opportunities Montclair provides through the School of Communication and Media are one of a kind. ICON really reinforced that I’m on the right track and that Montclair has set me up for success.”

“Our entire School of Communication and Media team is incredibly proud of our PRSSA students who finished second in this prestigious competition” said Dr. Keith Strudler, Director of the School of Communication and Media. “For years, this content was dominated by schools with much larger programs and profiles, but between competitions like this one and the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films Program where our students also received national recognition this past spring, our students continue to demonstrate that they are among the best in the country.”

The conference draws about 1,000 students from across the U.S. and internationally and allows students to connect with like minded individuals. There are also chances to receive scholarships with more than $30,000 awarded throughout the week. 

Students who are interested in joining Montclair’s Public Relations Student Society of America Chapter or learning more about how to participate in the Bateman Competition through a class offered by SCM can contact chapter advisor and Assistant Teaching Professor Erin Weinberg.

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About Montclair State University PRSSA:
Montclair State University’s PRSSA chapter provides students with real-world public relations experience, networking opportunities, and professional development in the field of communications.

About the School of Communication and Media: The School of Communication and Media offers a range of dynamic programs in communication and media to a talented and diverse student population of over 2,000. Offering degrees in film and television, social media and public relations, advertising, journalism and digital media, sports communication, communication and media studies, animation and visual effects, and an MA devoted to strategic communication, the School prepares the next generation of communication and media practitioners and leaders. The School houses award-winning student programs that include WMSC Radio, The Montclarion newspaper,  Hawk Communications Agency, the Red Hawk Sports Network, Hawk+ OTT streaming platform, and News Lab, as well as the Center for Cooperative Media, which serves the public by working to grow and strengthen local journalism. Student projects and programs have recently received national recognition from PRSSA’s Bateman Competition, an Edward R Murrow Award, several Marconi Award nominations, and a College Television Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Media Contact: Keith Green, School of Communication and Media, 973-655-3701 or greenk@montclair.edu