PRWeek Names UA Junior Student of the Year

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — PRWeek has named University of Alabama junior Maret Montanari its Public Relations Student of the Year.

Montanari, of Beaumont, Texas, is UA’s first PRWeek Student of the Year winner.

“It still kind of feels like a dream,” said Montanari. “This is such a big honor, and it’s a testament to this College, its outstanding program and its professors who equip their students to excel beyond Tuscaloosa.”

This year, PRWeek’s campaign prompt challenged applicants to create a campaign, using digital channels to increase millennial visitors to the state of Delaware. Montanari’s campaign, “Delaware on Demand,” capitalized on creating a customizable travel experience for interested visitors.

PRWeek issued the following feedback about her campaign:

“The thoroughness of her research was immediately evident. A dozen interviews with tourism experts and millennials, as well as two focus groups, produced detailed findings on millennials’ sentiments about travel, as well as Delaware. Sound insights were gleaned from the data, which helped lay the foundation for her “Delaware on Demand” campaign.”

Montanari serves as firm director of Capstone Agency, UA’s nationally affiliated, student-run, integrated communications firm. As graduation approaches next spring, she is still determining her career aspirations, but is interested in working in an agency as an account executive.

“Through Capstone Agency, I’ve found I enjoy the fast pace of agency work,” said Montanari. “Working with a team to represent multiple clients provides a real, creative challenge.”

Montanari was not the only UA finalist at the PRWeek Awards.

For the eighth time in the 10 years, The University of Alabama department of advertising and public relations was top five in the Education Program category. Additionally, Jacquie McMahon, an advertising and public relations graduate, received honorable mention for Top Young Professional. McMahon graduated from UA with a degree in public relations in 2015 and works as a senior account executive at Ketchum in New York City.

The department of advertising and public relations is a part of the College of Communication and Information Sciences at The University of Alabama. For more information about the College, click here.