Bradley University
Spring 2022 • COM 480 Public Relations Case Studies and Campaigns
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KLS Agency: Join the Groovement
KLS Agency realized there was a void on campus regarding voter registration and overall civic engagement. The team partnered with Our House Entertainment, a music label in Peoria, and the Peoria County Election Commission to create a welcoming, exciting space to pursue voter registration and civic activities such as becoming an election judge. Recent elections and high partisan tensions have made it difficult for new voters to learn about voting actions in a welcoming space. Their pre-event survey told KLS that young Illinoisans want to be more civically engaged and even think that it is an exhilarating process; however, they also believe registering to vote is intimidating. The team realized a disconnect between students who want to participate in elections and easy access to election information. KLS created an Instagram, executed a 5-hour event, and created a student organization to tackle their social issue through as many long-standing avenues as possible. Join the Groovement's Instagram is a hub for easy-to-understand graphics, club information, and posts highlighting local Peoria musicians. |
Coverage of the campaign:
Check out the "Join the Groovement" Instagram. |
Bradley University
Fall 2021 • COM 480 Public Relations Case Studies and Campaigns
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Oasis Public Relations Agency: Combatting Fast Fashion
Through research on the fashion industry, Oasis Public Relations Agency found that college students frequently purchase and support fast-fashion trends. Oasis Agency launched the “Combatting Fast Fashion” campaign to promote awareness regarding fast fashion among the students at Bradley University. Throughout the campaign, Oasis gathered research about students’ knowledge of the fast-fashion crisis, their personal shopping and donation habits, and their willingness to donate in the future. The campaign culminated in a second-hand fashion show held on November 14th in addition to a digital component to share with those who could not attend the event. Oasis Agency Partners: Fashionably Late & Southside Mission |
Bradley University
Fall 2021 • COM 327 Public Relations Writing
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During the Fall 2021 semester, my COM 327 students took over Bradley's Department of Communication social media accounts. Across four teams, the students managed and created content for Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and WordPress. They first crafted social media content calendars to determine suitable categories and a team posting schedule. The students had full creative control over posts, stories, lives, takeovers, etc.
In addition to running their respective social account, the student groups created several press releases and feature stories about Department of Communication students, professors, projects, and more. They conducted interviews to gather the necessary information and created their designs using Canva and the Adobe Creative Suite. Check out the Department's social accounts to see a full overview of the student work: |
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Bradley University
Spring 2021 • COM 480 Public Relations Case Studies and Campaigns
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MDV Public Relations: How Can I Help My Neighbor?
Covid-19 and infrastructure changes brought increased media attention to Peoria’s unsheltered population. This invited well intentioned and compassionate individuals to donate and volunteer independently. But without the guidance of established agencies, their efforts caused more harm than good. MDV Public Relations partnered with JOLT Foundation and Crafted DIY Studio and Bar to bridge the gap between well meaning residents and knowledgeable nonprofits with a resource that provides safe and effective donation and volunteer opportunities. The MDV Public Relations team created the How Can I Help My Neighbor website to curate the available resources and opportunities relevant to aiding the homeless community in the Greater Peoria area. Coverage of the campaign: |
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Bradley University
Fall 2019 • COM 480 Public Relations Case Studies and Campaigns
The Scene PR: Give It a Whirl, Girl
The Scene PR initiated a partnership between the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council and Silver Lining 309 Boutique to launch their campaign: Give It a Whirl, Girl! According to The Scene PR's executive case summary, women who desired to acquire a business loan needed a signature from either a male relative of spouse—as recently as the 1980s. Today, women still face unique challenges regarding empowerment and funding when it comes to starting new business ventures.
The Scene PR's campaign culminated in a networking workshop, held at The Nest Coworking, for current local female business owners and women interested in becoming entrepreneurs. This team of innovative students provided the expertise and resources necessary to empower a group of like-minded women in the community and provide real-world outlets for success in business.
Coverage of the campaign:
The Scene PR initiated a partnership between the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council and Silver Lining 309 Boutique to launch their campaign: Give It a Whirl, Girl! According to The Scene PR's executive case summary, women who desired to acquire a business loan needed a signature from either a male relative of spouse—as recently as the 1980s. Today, women still face unique challenges regarding empowerment and funding when it comes to starting new business ventures.
The Scene PR's campaign culminated in a networking workshop, held at The Nest Coworking, for current local female business owners and women interested in becoming entrepreneurs. This team of innovative students provided the expertise and resources necessary to empower a group of like-minded women in the community and provide real-world outlets for success in business.
Coverage of the campaign:
Bradley University
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Bradley University
Spring 2019 • COM 480 Public Relations Case Studies and Campaigns
MK PR Agency: West Bluff HomeSpace MK PR launched There's No Place Like HomeSpace, a campaign to address the lack of youth participation in Peoria neighborhood associations. The campaign brought young voices into community conversations through the creation of West Bluff HomeSpace, the first and only youth neighborhood association in Peoria. Four enthusiastic youth aged 14-19 serve as the inaugural executive board. The executive board is joined by five community leaders as mentors to the students. MK PR partnered with the City of Peoria Community Development Department and Peoria Magazines to bring their campaign to fruition. Both organizations are committed to continuous improvement of the Greater Peoria Area. The inaugural meeting of West Bluff HomeSpace, held on April 20, 2019, served as a celebration of the first youth neighborhood association and a networking opportunity for the executive board, advisors, and community leaders. The event, which took place at Quest Academy High School, was attended by 34 individuals including the officers of West Bluff HomeSpace, advisors of West Bluff HomeSpace, neighborhood leaders, and Peoria residents. For more information about West Bluff HomeSpace, or if you are interested in joining as a member or mentor, please contact: westbluffhomespace@gmail.com. More information about the organization can also be found by contacting Quest Academy or Peoria High. |
MK PR pictured with their clients: contacts from City of Peoria Illinois Government and Peoria Magazines.
The inaugural executive board of West Bluff HomeSpace with the four Bradley University students who make up MK PR.
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Bradley University
Spring 2019 • COM 327 Public Relations Writing
During the Spring 2019 semester, the COM 327 students had the unique opportunity to partner with Bradley's own Interactive Media Department to promote the FUSE showcase projects. Because our client was within the Bradley family, we were granted access to the social accounts, and the students were divided into three teams: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
In addition to running their respective social account, the student groups created several press releases, feature stories, and blog posts about Interactive Media students, professors, projects, department history, and more. The COM 327 students gathered the information they needed to complete these media pieces through interviewing Interactive Media experts during the weekly FUSE meetings on campus.
Check out the blog posts the PR writing students crafted: Creating a Whole New World, David Abzug—A Tie-Dye Extraordinaire
Also, take a look at the press release published by the Bradley's PR office. Much of this content was derived from the students' work.
In addition to running their respective social account, the student groups created several press releases, feature stories, and blog posts about Interactive Media students, professors, projects, department history, and more. The COM 327 students gathered the information they needed to complete these media pieces through interviewing Interactive Media experts during the weekly FUSE meetings on campus.
Check out the blog posts the PR writing students crafted: Creating a Whole New World, David Abzug—A Tie-Dye Extraordinaire
Also, take a look at the press release published by the Bradley's PR office. Much of this content was derived from the students' work.
Bradley University
Fall 2018 • COM 480 Public Relations Case Studies and Campaigns
PRISM Agency: Give Hope for New life
The PRISM Agency aimed to create conversations among Peoria families about the importance of organ donation, and to encourage local high school students to take advantage of the new law allowing them to sign up firsthand to join the organ donation registry.
By partnering with a local car dealership, Green Ford, and a nonprofit partner dedicated to organ and tissue donation, Gift of Hope, the PRISM team visited two high school football games to register new teenage donors.
Additionally, the team created a video (located to the right) featuring local participants’ experiences with organ donation to share with various high school driver's education courses throughout the Greater Peoria community.
The PRISM Agency aimed to create conversations among Peoria families about the importance of organ donation, and to encourage local high school students to take advantage of the new law allowing them to sign up firsthand to join the organ donation registry.
By partnering with a local car dealership, Green Ford, and a nonprofit partner dedicated to organ and tissue donation, Gift of Hope, the PRISM team visited two high school football games to register new teenage donors.
Additionally, the team created a video (located to the right) featuring local participants’ experiences with organ donation to share with various high school driver's education courses throughout the Greater Peoria community.
Coverage of the campaign:
Bradley University
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Bradley University
Spring 2018 • COM 480 Public Relations Case Studies and Campaigns
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The Opioid Prevention Agency: Bring Light to the Fight The Opioid Prevention Agency (TOPA) launched their event "Bring Light to the Fight" in order to raise awareness for the ongoing opioid epidemic in the Peoria community as well as break the stigma surrounding substance abuse and overdose. This agency, comprised of four Bradley PR majors, chose to partner with local nonprofit Invictus Woods Endowment Corporation, INC and for-profit C.T. Gabbert Construction. The campaign spanned three months, during which TOPA coordinated the creation of a mural for the final "Bring Light to the Fight" event. The mural features local community members who have been personally affected by the opioid crisis. The event also featured speeches from local experts regarding addiction and recovery, Narcan training sessions, free CPR training, and more. In total, TOPA raised nearly $5,000 in donations to bring their event to our community. |
Coverage of the campaign:
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OC PR Group: Map the Gap
In response to local food deserts crises, OC PR Group launched the "Map the Gap Peoria" campaign to increase communication between organizations that address food insecurity. Partnering with local nonprofit Gifts in the Moment and for-profit Todd's IT, this campaign centered on the creation of a GIS map containing imperative information on all the food insecurity organizations in Woodford, Tazewell, and Peoria counties.
Since the creation of the GIS map, it has successfully been integrated into the City of Peoria, 211-HOI and Healthy HOI'S websites. You can access the map here.
The campaign culminated in an event to celebrate the area's food insecurity organizations. Additionally, the event aimed to encourage communication and collaboration between food insecurity organizations and promote the use of the GIS map. Kim Keenan, program manager at Gifts in the Moment, and Leslie McKnight, senior economic development specialist for the City of Peoria, served as the featured speakers at the event.
Coverage of the campaign:
In response to local food deserts crises, OC PR Group launched the "Map the Gap Peoria" campaign to increase communication between organizations that address food insecurity. Partnering with local nonprofit Gifts in the Moment and for-profit Todd's IT, this campaign centered on the creation of a GIS map containing imperative information on all the food insecurity organizations in Woodford, Tazewell, and Peoria counties.
Since the creation of the GIS map, it has successfully been integrated into the City of Peoria, 211-HOI and Healthy HOI'S websites. You can access the map here.
The campaign culminated in an event to celebrate the area's food insecurity organizations. Additionally, the event aimed to encourage communication and collaboration between food insecurity organizations and promote the use of the GIS map. Kim Keenan, program manager at Gifts in the Moment, and Leslie McKnight, senior economic development specialist for the City of Peoria, served as the featured speakers at the event.
Coverage of the campaign:
Bradley University
Spring 2018 • COM 327 Public Relations Writing
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The Greater Peoria Area Crime Stoppers partnered with my COM 327 students over the course of the Spring 2018 semester, offering these future PR professionals an opportunity to work with a real-world client. The students created press kits for the GPACS board members that included brochures, flyers, TV display slides, feature stories, thank you and cover letters, and an updated board member application. The COM 327 students gathered the information they needed to complete these media pieces through interviewing board members and attending scheduled GPACS meetings. The semester culminated with the students presenting their final press kits to the board members. These materials will be implemented into the GPACS website and media outreach. 
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Bradley University
Fall 2017 • COM 327 Public Relations Writing
This group of COM 327 Public Relations Writing students partnered with the Tri-Country Illinois chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to create press kits during the Fall 2017 semester.
These final projects included brochures, press releases, feature articles and newsletter redesigns. Their thoughtful, creative efforts will be used by this local nonprofit mental health organization.
Many thanks to Tri-County NAMI President Beth Lawerence and Treasurer Roger Mohn for serving as clients to the students. Their guidance and expertise were integral in bringing these press kits to fruition.
Indiana University
Spring 2016 • C225 Writing, Reporting and Editing
My C225 students created multimedia news projects that included conducting man-on-the-street interviews, live tweeting, taking photos and video, designing an infographic and posting a short news story to the web. Small teams comprised of reporters and editors worked together to create the two stories below: the first highlighting the multitude of dining options on the campus of IU Bloomington, and the second detailing current campus construction projects.
View the full campus dining story here, and the full construction piece here.
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Food for Thought
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Students Question Campus Construction
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