PR Writing Samples

PR WRITING SAMPLES

BY: STACEY PETERS

SCHOLARSHIP EMAIL 1 FACT SHEET 2 BACKGROUNDER 3 PRESS RELEASE 4 NEWS ARTICLE 5

TITLE: LAGRANT Foundation Scholarship PURPOSE: This business letter is awarding one student in the College of Media at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign a $5000 scholarship for her academic achievement and an invite to the foundation’s annual luncheon.

AUDIENCE: The recipient of the scholarship is a highly-qualified, minority student who we would like to acknowledge. In doing so, we would like to build a positive relationship with them and aid them in upcoming career development skills in advertising, marketing, or public relations.

July 13, 2014 Ms. Sandra Lopez 2004 N. Nolton Avenue Willow Springs, IL 60480 Dear Ms. Lopez: Congratulations! It is my great pleasure to inform you that The LAGRANT Foundation has awarded you a $5000 scholarship for your impeccable academic performance. This year’s competition for the award was outstanding, but our Board of Directors reviewed the list of applicants and selected you as our scholarship recipient. Your commitment to a career in advertising is remarkable.

The LAGRANT Foundation invites you to our annual luncheon September 16 at 12 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles. We will gather for refreshments at 11 a.m. in the Diamond Ballroom. You are more than welcome to bring up to three guests. Please contact me to clarify what arrangements would be best for you.

At the luncheon, Kim L. Hunter, our founder and chairman, will present our scholarship and commemorative plaque to you. At this time, we will invite you to speak for five minutes. Please prepare a short acceptance address that will help the LAGRANT Foundation get to know you. We would love to have an opportunity to hear more about your story and ongoing success.

Again, congratulations on this renowned achievement during your academic journey. Please call me at 217-344-8756 or email me at speters@lagrantfoundation.org at your earliest convenience to confirm a plan.

Sincerely,

Stacey Peters Events Coordinator

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Fact Sheet FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT Stacey Peters The Nicodemus Agency 217.123.4567 stacey@nicodemusagency.com

10th Time’s A Charm: C-U’s Annual Pygmalion Festival Brings the Beat Back What:

A jam-packed weekend consumed by up-and-coming and wellestablished artists, accomplished authors, craft vendors and more, The Pygmalion Festival has something for everyone. Going on its 10th year, the festival is expanding the scope of the event into a longer weekend with fewer stages and more bands than ever. This year’s headliners include CHVRCHES, American Football, Panda Bear, and Tycho.

Who:

The Nicodemus Agency presents The Pygmalion Festival as the largest CU music event of the fall season. Since 2005, the Nicodemus Agency has been curating and producing the whirlwind event, bringing hundreds of bands to the area. With active, hardy connections in the music industry and a taste for the best talent, Nicodemus hand-picks all artists and authors for the festival every year “priding itself on being able to work freely and creatively”, said by Seth Fein, president of Nicodemus Agency.

When:

September 25, 2014 – September 28, 2014

Where:

Stages will be at the following locations: Krannert Center District in Urbana on UIUC Campus (Thursday and Friday) Downtown Champaign (Saturday and Sunday)

Why:

Established as a leading music festival in the Midwest with bands of national and international fame, The Pygmalion Festival will rock the CU’s cultural scene once again. Ongoing attractions such as the Lit Fest and Made Fest included in the weekend pull audiences of all ages and interests to one location. Champaign-Urbana welcomes the SXSW-style music festival with open arms in its 10th year and itches with anticipation for what’s in store.

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Backgrounder FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT Stacey Peters The Nicodemus Agency 217.123.4567 stacey@nicodemusagency.com CHVRCHES Emerges From the Shadows

CHVRCHES is a Scottish electronic-pop band hailed from Glasgow.

Formed in 2011 as a studio project, the band is composed of Lauren Mayberry, 25, (lead vocals, additional synthesizers, and samplers), Iain Cook, 38, (synthesizers, guitar, bass, vocals), and Martin Doherty, 30, (synthesizers, samplers, vocals). Mayberry was a previous member of bands Boyfriend/Girlfriend and Blue Sky Archives where she worked with Cook. Cook was a member of bands Aereogramme and The Unwinding Hours. Martin Doherty was a member of The Twilight Sad. Cook and Doherty were friends from their university before the band formed and Cook knew Mayberry through Blue Sky Archives. All music is written, recorded, mixed and mastered in a basement in Glasgow.

CHVRCHES’ first single “Lies” was released in May 2012. They toured with Passion Pit as the opening act in the same year. “Lies” was published as #28 on NME’s Best Tracks of 2012 and fifth for BBC’s Sound of 2013 list. March 25, 2013 marked the release of the band’s first EP Recover. SXSW honored the up-and-coming band with the Inaugural Grulke Prize (for Developing Non-US Act).

On September 20, 2013 their debut album The Bones of What You Believe was released. Hit singles included “The Mother We Share”, “Recover”, and “Gun”.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 1, 2014 The Pygmalion Festival Is Bigger and Better Than Ever SUMMARY: For its 10th year, The Pygmalion Festival is returns to Champaign-Urbana from September 25-28. Over 40 bands will perform over four days at multiple venues such as the Krannert Center, Canopy Club, and the Highdive. In addition to the music, guests can attend the Made Fest which showcases handmade and vintage arts and crafts, and the Lit Fest where famous authors will have book signings and readings. The festival kicks off on Thursday, September 25 at 7:00pm. Tickets are available for single show ($10-$30) or full festival pass ($85). Children under 10 are free.

URBANA (August 1, 2014) – The Pygmalion Festival returns September 25-28 to the ChampaignUrbana area for another music-infused weekend. This annual event showcases over forty bands from different genres and locations with headliners such as CHVRCHES, American Football, Tycho, Real Estate, and Maserati. The stages for the festival are at the Krannert Center, Canopy Club, and the Highdive. Festival attendees can also check out two, smaller subfests called the Made Fest and Lit Fest which are free to all attendees and the public. The Made Fest presents handmade artists, makers, and vintage sellers during the two-day, outdoor curated marketplace at the Highdive Outdoor Annex on September 27-28. The Lit Fest welcomes over fifteen authors such Audrey Petty, Peter Orner, Richard Siken, and Jennifer Percy for book signings, readings, and more.

The Pygmalion Festival aims to please fans of local, national, and international artists who revolve around the indie/alternative rock scene. As the largest music festival in Central Illinois, audiences are sure to be astounded with the variety of music available and local venues. “The festival this year will be bigger and better than ever,” says Seth Fein, festival curator and president. “Visitors wills have the opportunity to expand their horizons with our amazing band lineup, new and known, but also check out a multitude of vintage, craft vendors and famous artists they can fall in love with.” With so many interests to explore, visitors are sure to find a passion of their own.

The Nicodemus Agency presents the 10th annual Pygmalion Festival in Champaign-Urbana. This national, multi-faceted media and booking company prides itself on working creatively with no set boundaries. Since 2002, it has been producing live shows and festivals in the C-U area. For more information or to buy tickets, please visit www.thepygmalionfestival.com. ###

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A Night for the Passionate and Curious

By Stacey Peters In the heart of Champaign-Urbana, an electric buzz beats through the crowd like a creative life force weaving from person to person. Guests ranging in careers, culture, and age gather at the Krannert Center for the same reason: to feed their soul with thrilling topics and community interests. As the lights dim on the first presenter, minds illuminate from the passion conveyed on stage. A night of wonder and knowledge ensues with a ribbon of humor and spontaneity.

Four times a year, PechaKucha Night appears at four different venues in the CU – Krannert Art Museum, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Canopy Club, and the Highdive. Showcasing local presenters and their specified, non-promotional fascinations, PechaKucha Night highlights local talent to anyone who will listen. From online dating designs to storm water systems to cycling classes, the topics cease to repeat and enrapture audiences of wide varieties. The event is free to everyone, but content is valuable to those of adult age (18+).

“We strive to select the optimum candidates for each show that will leave us breathless and burning for more information”, says Katie Harrell, event project manager. “It’s easy to get swept up in our own lives which is why PKN is a great way for the community to come together, learn, and use the night as an excuse to get out of the house for drinks and intense, intellectual stimuli.”

This season’s upcoming PechaKucha Night is on August 8, 2014 at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts, including nine, ripe presenters. The venue, normally held for concerts, symphonies, and the like, gives an inspiring and elite atmosphere to attendees and presenters.

As a heart of creativity, PechaKucha Night awaits to beat through the CU once again for its sixteenth volume. To RSVP to the event, visit PechaKucha Night CU’s Facebook page for more information.

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