TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The boardroom table may not be as large as the one on Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice,” but for four interns at a local Public Relations Firm, it’s just as big of an opportunity.

Three FSU students and one University of Florida student were selected for Kidd Communication’s competitive summer internship, called “PR Apprentice: Season Two.”

Each week, the four girls compete for prizes and the honor of being titled challenge winner.

“I thought that it just looked really creative, very different from any other internship opportunity out there and a little competition never hurts anybody,” says intern Kaitlyn Hastings.

So far, they’ve completed four out of thirteen challenges, all with hands-on experience for a real client.

At the end of the summer, the winner will be offered either a part-time or full-time position at the firm.

Find more at: WCTV

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Donald Trump may not be in the boardroom, but the stakes are just as high for four interns at a Tallahassee-based public relations company.

Four women working as public relations interns for Kidd Group, a Tallahassee communications company that represents state agencies and other governmental entities and banks among other clients, are competing for a job with the company in an internship modeled after the Donald Trump TV show, “The Apprentice.”

“I think it’s so fun because I really love competition and I’ve always wanted to be on “The Apprentice” since it first came out — like Donald Trump-style, so when I first saw this I thought it was so different and creative,” said Kaitlyn Hastings, a rising senior at the University of Florida.

Hastings, Sully Moreno, Lynsey Sherman and Alyssa Canales all want the job come the end of the summer. For Hastings and Moreno, who still have school to finish, it would be a part time gig. For Sherman and Canales, it could mean a full time job.

Allison Fogt, an account manager for the firm, said the four interns are given tasks each week and the one who does the best is declared the winner. The ultimate winner of course, wins gainful employment.

“Should they accept…they would be able to have the opportunity to work for us part time and see how that goes,” Fogt said. It’s the second year the firm has run the competition.

The four women have as their client Govloop.com, a social networking site for federal employees.

One of their biggest tasks so far has been to plan a one year anniversary party for the site that will be held in Washington D.C. later this month.

A potential party plan was submitted in the “boardroom” by the interns on Wednesday. Four Kidd Group employees plus a guest panelist then quizzed them over details.

Would the party DJ consider a discount if Govloop did free advertising? If the party is held outdoors, are there bathrooms? Would it be a cash bar or open bar?

At the end of the presentation, the women learn who won the previous week’s challenge. Last week’s was to write a press release about two awards that Govloop won. Moreno, a Florida State junior, was declared the winner.

“Oh my God, finally!” she said, smiling.

Find more at: Jacksonville Observer

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.