Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Six-pack land top PR prize
The competition, now in its 21st year, is run by award-winning PR agency Grayling in partnership with the University.
It offers final year students the chance to create and deliver a business presentation similar to a real-life scenario.
This year, teams pitched for a visitor attraction in Leeds and pop-up event in Bradford for a national retail brand.
And the winners were Fuse PR, comprised of six team members: Hannah Lynch, Jessica Hayre, Christopher Ball, Thomas Withington, Holly Crosby and Rebecca Midgley.
Fuse PR member Holly said: “Working on a real pitch was certainly a challenge which tested our business and public relations competencies, as well as our time management and team work skills.
“We know that the standard of competition was very high so everyone from Fuse PR is proud of our achievement.”
All students on Leeds Beckett’s BA (Hons) Public Relations and Brand Communication worked in groups to establish their own fictional PR agency and respond to a typical real life brief.
Sarah Gough, Associate Director at Grayling North, said: “We’ve been working with Leeds Beckett for more than twenty years and every year the standard of entries for the Grayling Prize is so impressive.
“The Fuse PR team really stood out this year, having pulled together a creative and considered response to the brief which they delivered with real confidence.
“We look forward to seeing what all of this year’s students go on to achieve as they start out in their PR careers.”
Shirley Beresford, Senior Lecturer in Public Relations and Brand Communication at Leeds Beckett, added: “The Grayling Prize for the Competitive Pitch is our most prestigious public relations in practice initiative for PR students.
“These young professionals are at the start of their careers and the opportunity to pitch to a 'real life' client on a live campaign is a priceless experience.”
With over 25 years of Public Relations education, Leeds Business Schools’ PR courses offer an invaluable opportunity for the next generation of PR practitioners to set themselves apart from the rest.
The Grayling Prize illustrates this, giving each student the opportunity to showcase the various skills learnt during their time at University in front of a leading PR agency.