Ever wonder how people actually get their stories in the media?
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This year, the University of Florida Bateman Team is partnering with ACCESS Newswire to launch the first-ever Professional Promise Student Competition. Students will use ACCESS Newswire to complete a simple, real‑world PR task and submit it for judging.
One winning student will be selected based on creativity and strategic thinking, and will receive two Disney tickets, a complimentary Hilton hotel stay, plus the earned title of ACCESS Newswire Professional Promise Award to put on your LinkedIn!
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This is your chance to:
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Build real, resume‑ready PR skills
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Use the same tools professionals use
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Compete for a high‑value prize
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No prior PR experience required.
The Ask
To enter, students must:
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Identify one newsworthy topic for:​
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a student organization
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a personal brand
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a nonprofit you care about
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a startup idea (real or hypothetical)
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Build a targeted media list for your selected topic (at least five contacts) using ACCESS Newswire ​​
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Submit:
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A screenshot of your media list inside ACCESS Newswire
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250 words or less explaining why the story is newsworthy and why those outlets are a strong fit
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The Prize
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One free Hilton hotel stay
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Two Disney tickets
How to Enter
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Fill out the registration form (REGISTER) to participate in the competition
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Receive your free ACCESS Newswire login
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Complete the competition task
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Submit your entry (ENTER) before the February 23 at 11:59 p.m.
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Winner will be announced on social media and via email.​​​​​
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why Participate?
Build real PR experience employers care about, strengthen your resume and portfolio, gain confidence using industry‑standard tools and compete for a valuable prize.
Who can enter?
The competition is open to University of Florida students of all majors; no PR experience required.
Do I need to pay for ACCESS Newswire?
No. All participants will receive free access to ACCESS Newswire by registering for the competition.
What exactly do I need to submit?
Each submission must include:
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A screenshot of a media list (at least five contacts) built inside ACCESS Newswire
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250 words or less explaining why the story is newsworthy and why those outlets are a strong fit
How will entries be judged?
Entries will be evaluated based on:
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Relevance of the media list to the stated goal
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Strategic thinking demonstrated in the explanation
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Effective use of ACCESS Newswire tools
What’s the prize?
One student will win two Walt Disney World Orlando One-Day Theme Park Tickets and a complimentary Hilton hotel stay.
Prize details will be shared directly with the winner.
When is the deadline?
Feb. 23 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Late submissions will not be accepted.
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How will the winner be notified?
The winner will be contacted via their UF email and announced on ACCESS Your Superpower's social media channels.
Is this affiliated with a class?
Not required, but students may choose to use a class project or campaign idea for their entry.
Who is running this competition?
The competition is organized by the University of Florida Bateman Team in partnership with ACCESS Newswire.