TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - And the winner is…Kaitlyn Hastings! Hastings won Season Two of “The PR Apprentice” competition, hosted by Kidd Public Relations. The opportunity allowed four mighty interns to not only gain experience in public relations, but also compete for prizes, and ultimately a real job.

Each week, interns completed tasks for non-profit client GovLoop, a social networking platform for government employees. Alyssa Canales, Kaitlyn Hastings, Sully Moreno and Lynsey Sherman, known as the “fierce four,” competed in challenges ranging from writing traditional press releases to creating strategic plans incorporating social media. All PR Apprentices proved talented, but only one was left standing in the boardroom…holding a job offer.

Hailing from the University of Florida, 21-year-old Hastings will complete her Public Relations degree in spring 2010. She previously worked at The Independent Florida Alligator newspaper and Sahlman Williams Public Relations.

“We congratulate all of the PR Apprentice participants,” said Kelly Robertson, Director of Kidd Public Relations. “By entering this internship, they pushed themselves to grow professionally, and for that they should all be proud.”

To learn more about the competition, visit http://www.ThePRApprentice.com.

Kidd PR Announces Season-Two Contestants and International Client

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - After a successful first season, Kidd Public Relations brings students back to the boardroom this summer during “The PR Apprentice: Season Two.” Unlike other internships, students are not just in it for the experience or school credit. They are competing for weekly prizes from boardroom sponsors, along with the title of “The PR Apprentice.” Kidd PR revealed that the students’ “client” will be international organization, GovLoop, the premier social networking site for the government community.

Representatives from Kidd PR, a division of Kidd & Company, Inc., selected four ambitious interns hailing from Florida State University and the University of Florida. They were chosen after a rigorous application process consisting of writing assignments and interviews:

• Kaitlyn Hastings, University of Florida, Public Relations
• Alyssa Canales, Florida State University, Creative Writing
• Sully Moreno, Florida State University, Media/Communication Studies
• Lynsey Sherman, Florida State University, Professional Communication

Interns will have their public relations skills tested as they compete in weekly challenges on behalf of GovLoop. One-by-one, they will be knocked “out of the loop,” but representatives warn not to worry. Those interns no longer in the running will remain on-board as team members, working with Kidd PR account managers to support other clients for the remainder of the semester.

“What we’re creating here is as close as it gets to a real-world environment for these aspiring professionals,” said Tom Derzypolski, Vice President of Client Communications, Kidd & Company, Inc. “The PR Apprentice allows students to fine tune their skills. There is no question they will come out stronger and more prepared for a career in the public relations field.”

The main “client” for Season Two, GovLoop, was created for government employees to facilitate communication between federal, state and local “government-thought” leaders. It has already crossed oceans, with 500 of its more than 10,000 members stemming from international governments in New Zealand, Britain, Canada, Germany and Hong Kong. Apprentices will be tasked with creating an entire public relations campaign for GovLoop, including social media initiatives, targeted audience outreach and a one-year anniversary event held in Washington, D.C.

“The pairing of GovLoop with The PR Apprentice program came at a perfect time,” said GovLoop.com Founder Steve Ressler. “Students in the communication industry are exposed to emerging technologies and social mediums of the generation, and they will be able to apply these tools in real-world experiences working with GovLoop. I look forward to meeting the interns and video conferencing with them during boardroom meetings. They don’t have too much to worry about though. I am no Simon or Donald.”

Local businesses have also shown support for the internship program, donating prizes for the winners of each weekly challenge. Boardroom sponsors currently include Sunberry, Rita’s Ice, Hometown Coffee, Momo’s, Crepevine and Cold Stone. Fans can show support by voting online for their favorite intern throughout the semester. Votes will be taken into consideration when selecting the winner. The Web site also features intern bios and clips from weekly video confessionals. Follow progress and learn more about the program at ThePRApprentice.com.

About Kidd & Company, Inc.
Now in its 30th year of business, Kidd & Company, Inc. offers in-house, integrated communication services, including branding, advertising, design, public relations and interactive solutions. Serving clients internationally, the team is committed to providing creative marketing insight. To learn more about Kidd & Company and its award-winning divisions, call (850) 878-5433, or visit Kidd.com.

New Web site offers Resources to Florida’s Returning GIs

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Award-winning interactive design agency 3W Studios recently completed the Web site design and launch for Florida Boots to Books, unveiled by Governor Charlie Crist at a press conference this week at the Florida Capitol. Part of Florida’s GI Bill Program, Boots to Books is a statewide initiative led by the Board of Governors and its partners. It showcases the curriculums and services available to veterans under the new GI Bill, ensuring they have the resources available to pursue educational and career goals upon returning home to Florida.

3W Studios, a division of Kidd & Company, Inc., was selected to design the program’s Web site in an effort to create a seamless transition from the battlefield to the classroom. The user-friendly FLBootsToBooks.org offers up-to-date information on GI Bill details, application instructions, community colleges and public and private universities along with links to various veterans groups. 3W Studios also designed the program’s logo, which received a Silver ADDY award in March for excellence in advertising and high standards of creative communications.

“We are proud to be part of a project that recognizes service men and women,” said Jeremy Spinks, 3W Studios Director. “Our team cannot thank veterans enough. We wish this program the utmost success and hope the Web site continues to provide information that helps them reach their goals.”

During the press conference launch, Governor Crist thanked all partners involved in the program, which included 3W Studios and the following organizations:

• Board of Governors/State University System of Florida
• Florida Department of Veterans Affairs
• Student Veterans of America
• Collegiate Veterans Association
• Executive Office of the Governor
• Florida Community Colleges
• ICUF (Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida)
• Agency for Workforce Innovation

The Florida Boots to Books initiative will undoubtedly help our troops,” said Vice President of Kidd & Company, Inc., Tom Derzypolski, who attended college on the GI Bill. “As someone who benefitted directly from these resources, I know what a difference the support can make in the transition home.”

The GI Bill, which was signed into law in 2008, is expected to provide more than $62 billion in assistance nationwide beginning Aug. 1, 2009, according to the Governor’s Office. Veterans with three years of active service qualify for full benefits for up to 36 months, including tuition and fees, monthly housing allowance and $1,000 a year for books and supplies. Partial benefits are also available to qualifying veterans. Visit FLBootsToBooks.org to learn more about the program and its benefits.

About 3W Studios
3W Studios is an award-winning interactive design agency specializing in design, development and management for innovative companies and associations. Since its inception as the interactive division of Kidd & Company, Inc., now in its 30th year of business, 3W Studios has established itself as one of the most accomplished interactive design and development companies in Florida, with clients spanning 12 time zones. To learn more, call (850) 878-5433, or visit 3Wstudios.com.