NEW YORK – The Public Relations Society of America’s New York Chapter (PRSA-NY) has officially unveiled the highly anticipated shortlist for its prestigious 2025 Big Apple Awards. This annual program stands as a beacon, celebrating and recognizing unparalleled excellence in the multifaceted field of public relations throughout the dynamic New York metropolitan area. The culmination of this year-long recognition process will be an elegant evening gala where the shortlisted winners, alongside distinguished individual award recipients and the esteemed 15 Under 35 Class of 2025, will be honored for their exceptional achievements in PR over the past year.
Professionals and organizations from across the tri-state area, as well as all honored individuals, are now cordially invited to secure their tickets for the 38th Annual Big Apple Awards Gala. Tickets can be purchased directly here. PRSA-NY members are eligible for an exclusive discount, and all attendees can take advantage of special early bird rates until August 15, 2025, offering a valuable opportunity to join this premier industry event.
The 2025 program, thoughtfully themed “Elevate & Evolve: Honoring PR Excellence in a Changing Landscape,” is designed to shine a bright spotlight on the trailblazers who are not only adapting to but actively redefining what success truly embodies within an industry perpetually shaped by relentless innovation and transformative disruption. The meticulously curated shortlist features an impressive array of leading agencies and organizations, each demonstrating exemplary campaigns and strategic prowess from across the vibrant greater New York City area.
2025 Big Apple Awards Honorees Shortlist – A Testament to PR Excellence
The campaigns and organizations that have earned a coveted spot on the 2025 Big Apple Awards shortlist represent the pinnacle of strategic communications. Their innovative approaches and measurable impacts underscore the power of public relations in today’s complex environment.
Best Use of Spokesperson/Influencer
- Nasoya Fuels Inspiration and Empowers Women to Explore Tofu with Power of 9 Campaign, by 360PR+
- Treasure Cave’s Recipe for Brand and Category Love, by Carmichael Lynch Relate
- Missy Franklin Dives into Kidney Disease Awareness with Otsuka Collaboration, by Coyne PR & Otsuka America Pharmaceutical
Best Use of Owned Social Media
- KIND Kids Taps Into Back to School Nostalgia, by Zeno Group
Corporate Social Responsibility
- Meals on Wheels America Ends the Wait for Millions of Seniors, by HUNTER
Events & Observances
- A Slicey, Spicy Launch with Montchevre, by Carmichael Lynch Relate
- Team Citizens Scores a Ten (Year Milestone), by Citizens Financial Group and Hudson Cutler & Co.
- Sea-To-Table Restaurant Week NYC 2024, by Padilla with Norwegian Seafood Council
- “Sasquatch in the Skies” National Jerky Day 2024, by Padilla with Jack Link’s
- Launching New York City’s First Pet-Inclusive Shelter for Homeless Families, by The TASC Group
Experiential Marketing
- A Slicey, Spicy Launch with Montchevre, by Carmichael Lynch Relate
- CeraVe Embarks on a Multi-City Drama Free Cleansing Tour, by Coyne PR & CeraVe
Generational Targeted Marketing (Gen Z, Boomer, etc.)
- Goldfish Goes Viral with Adult Name Change: Chilean Sea Bass, by Zeno Group
Integrated Communications
- Blitzing the Region: A Targeted Approach for iovera°, by Coyne PR & Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
- From Cocktails to Mocktails: How NCS Drove the Sober Curious Conversation, by NCSolutions and Feintuch Communications
- Stranahan’s Takes Ownership of a New Whiskey Category, by Three Cheers PR
Marketing Business-to-Business
- A Future Without Bananas? Chiquita’s Quest to Prevent a Global Agricultural Crisis, by Coyne PR & Chiquita
- From Cocktails to Mocktails: How NCS Drove the Sober Curious Conversation, by NCSolutions and Feintuch Communications
Marketing Consumer Products & Services
- A Slicey, Spicy Launch with Montchevre, by Carmichael Lynch Relate
- Treasure Cave’s Recipe for Brand and Category Love, by Carmichael Lynch Relate
- Insomnia Cookies Broke Up With Your Partner So You Didn’t Have To, by Carmichael Lynch Relate
- TUMS Makes Gameday Food Dreams a Reality with TUMS Fantasy Foodball Pool, by Coyne PR & Haleon
- Supplementing Smarter – Thorne x Diffusion, by Diffusion PR
- Hundreds of NYC Street Carts Ditch Their Iconic Pretzels for King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites, by HUNTER
Media Relations
- Insomnia Cookies Broke Up With Your Partner So You Didn’t Have To, by Carmichael Lynch Relate
- From Cocktails to Mocktails: How NCS Drove the Sober Curious Conversation, by NCSolutions and Feintuch Communications
- Leading the Fight Against AI-Generated CSAM Through the Power of Media, by Gregory FCA
- Refresh, Reengage, Reeducate: Expanding a Brand Story Through Earned Media, by Padilla with NMDP
- Breaking Down TINCUP Bourbon to Build it Up, by Three Cheers PR
Mental Health & Awareness
- Revolutionizing Digital Therapeutics with Rejoyn, by Coyne PR & Otuska America Pharmaceutical
Public Service
- Trash or Cash, by Padilla with Hennepin County
Reputation/Brand Management & Engagement
- Treasure Cave’s Recipe for Brand and Category Love, by Carmichael Lynch Relate
- From Cocktails to Mocktails: How NCS Drove the Sober Curious Conversation, by Feintuch Communications
- Citizens x Queens Night Market: Building Reputation and Engagement Through Culture, by Citizens Financial Group and Hudson Cutler
Video
- ViiV x The Skin Deep | Navigating HIV: Real Stories, Real Impact, by GCI Health
Further announcements regarding the individual award recipients and the complete list of the 15 Under 35 honorees will be made at a subsequent date.
A Night for Celebration on September 18: The Big Apple Awards Gala
The pinnacle of the Big Apple Awards program will be the annual gala, set to be held for the very first time at the iconic Sony Hall, nestled within the vibrant Broadway theatre district of New York City. Attendees can anticipate an evening filled with glitz, glamor, and celebration, complemented by meaningful recognition of the hard work, strategic brilliance, and creative ingenuity that define excellence in public relations. This shift to a new, prestigious venue underscores the evolving and elevated nature of the event itself.
Brittany Bevacqua, Co-Chair of PRSA-NY’s 2025 Big Apple Awards, shared her excitement for the upcoming event, emphasizing the thoughtful planning behind its execution. “In line with this year’s theme, we set out to create an event that feels as fresh, bold and innovative as the campaigns and people we’re honoring,” said Bevacqua. She added, “We hope attendees and honorees take this opportunity to come together, celebrate and feel inspired by all the incredible work happening within New York’s PR community. It’s shaping up to be an unforgettable night you won’t want to miss.”
This year’s momentous event is made possible through the generous sponsorship of leading organizations and influential partners within the industry. Esteemed sponsors include 360PR+, Burson, Gregory FCA, HUNTER, PRophet – serving as the exclusive sponsor of the 15 Under 35 Awards – Edelman, Notified, The Stevens / Jachetti Group, Truescope, PR Museum, Hill & Knowlton, and IW Group. The seamless execution of the event itself is expertly handled by CommPRO, the official event production partner.
Individual tickets for the gala are now available for purchase at $500 for PRSA members and $600 for non-members. For organizations looking to celebrate collectively, tables accommodating up to 10 guests are available starting at an early bird rate of $5,000. It is important to note that all prices are subject to increase on August 16, so early booking is highly recommended. To purchase your ticket(s) for what promises to be an unforgettable Big Apple Awards Gala, please visit: https://www.commpro.biz/events/big-apple-awards-2025.
For further inquiries regarding the Big Apple Awards, to explore volunteer opportunities for the event, or for any general information, please visit https://www.prsany.org/ or contact [email protected]. For those interested in becoming a sponsor and aligning their brand with excellence in public relations, detailed sponsorship opportunities can be found here.
Advancements in the Public Relations Industry
- The public relations industry is increasingly leveraging data analytics and artificial intelligence to enhance campaign targeting, measure impact more precisely, and personalize communications with diverse audiences.
- Integrated communications strategies are now standard, blending traditional media relations with digital content, social media, and experiential marketing to create cohesive and impactful brand narratives.
- There’s a growing emphasis on purpose-driven communication and corporate social responsibility (CSR), with PR professionals playing a key role in helping organizations articulate their societal contributions and build authentic connections with stakeholders.
- The rise of influencer marketing has transformed traditional media relations, requiring PR professionals to identify, engage, and manage relationships with a new generation of digital thought leaders across various platforms.
About The Big Apple Awards
The Big Apple Awards program was established in 1988 by the New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America with the explicit purpose of fostering and encouraging excellence in the dynamic field of public relations. Over the decades, this esteemed program has continuously evolved, meticulously adapting to keep pace with the rapidly changing landscape of the industry. It remains dedicated to celebrating the exciting, innovative, and impactful successes achieved by talented professionals working at the very heart of the global communications universe. Today, earning a Big Apple Award is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious honors bestowed within the public relations profession, symbolizing outstanding achievement and strategic brilliance.
About PRSA-NY
The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA-NY) stands as the best-established, most substantial, and arguably the most influential collective of public relations professionals across the entire United States. Strategically located in the media capital of the world, PRSA-NY offers its dedicated members unparalleled access to top-tier career development resources and cutting-edge educational opportunities. The chapter facilitates invaluable networking connections, provides impactful mentoring programs, and hosts a variety of highly regarded award programs. PRSA-NY proudly serves a diverse membership base that includes communications decision-makers at leading agencies, thriving businesses, impactful nonprofit organizations, and prominent public and private institutions. For more comprehensive information about PRSA-NY and its extensive offerings, please visit https://www.prsany.org/.
