BYU Wins Top Place in PRSSA’s 2025 Bateman Competition; PRSA Announces ICON Speakers

With a campaign that stood out for its creativity and impact, PRSSA named Brigham Young University’s True Blue Team the winner of the 2025 Bateman Case Study Competition. The University of Alabama earned second place, and Syracuse University finished third.

This year’s challenge tasked students with developing a strategic campaign for EveryLibrary and the EveryLibrary Institute, focusing on advocacy and support for libraries nationwide.

BYU’s “For the Love of EveryLibrary” campaign, launched during National Love Your Library Month, aimed to turn Utah mothers — library lovers unaware of advocacy efforts — into informed supporters of library funding and access. 

The True Blue Team partnered with Let Utah Read, collaborated with influencers, hosted community events, and shared targeted social content. Their efforts reached nearly 50,000 people, drew 142 event attendees and generated over 140 email sign-ups — successfully transforming passive appreciation into active advocacy.

Launched in 1973, the Bateman Case Study Competition was renamed in 1983 to honor the late J. Carroll Bateman, APR, a key figure in the founding of PRSSA.

PRSA Announces Headlining Speakers for ICON 2025

PRSA has revealed two dynamic keynote speakers for ICON 2025, taking place Oct. 28-30 in Washington, D.C. — Emmy Award-winning writer, director and producer Amy Sherman-Palladino, the creative force behind “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Gilmore Girls,” and Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), known for his bold leadership on workplace and talent issues.

Sherman-Palladino will take the main stage at ICON 2025 with a moderator to discuss the power and art of storytelling. She began her entertainment career as a staff writer on “Roseanne.” During her four seasons on the series, she earned an Emmy nomination, a Writers Guild Award nomination, and received a Peabody Award.

She created “Gilmore Girls,” a seven-season hit for Warner Bros. that earned critical acclaim and a spot on Time magazine’s list of the 100 Best TV Shows of All Time.

As creator, executive producer, director and writer of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” Sherman-Palladino led the series through five award-winning seasons — making Emmy history with wins for both comedy writing and directing.

Taylor is known globally for his insights on leadership and the future of employment. He recently was named one of the “300 Most Influential Executives in Corporate America” by Savoy Magazine.

His career spans more than 20 years as a lawyer and an executive, serving at IAC, Paramount Pictures, Blockbuster Entertainment Group and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. 

He previously served on the White House American Workforce Policy Advisory Board and as chairman of the President’s Advisory Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He also writes a weekly column for USA Today.

Registration is currently underway for the premier PR and comms conference of the year. Visit the PRSA website for more ICON details.

Save the Dates for Member Mondays

Member Mondays, hosted by 2025 Chair Ray Day, APR, Stagwell vice chair and Allison Worldwide executive chair, are open forums that provide valuable opportunities for information sharing and professional connection. 

Held on the second Monday of each month, the sessions are open to both members and nonmembers and explore timely and relevant topics shaping the communications profession. 

The fourth Monday of every month is for PRSA leaders (Chapters, Districts and Sections), focusing on best practices and organizational updates.

Find previous episodes and sign up for upcoming sessions here.