On October 30, 2024, public relations professionals will gather at Manhatta in New York City for the PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards, an event recognized for celebrating excellence and innovation in the industry. This year's theme, "Collaboration and Innovation," reflects the continued evolution of PR, as influential leaders come together to celebrate top achievements and contributions to the field.

The Big Apple Awards luncheon, regarded as one of the premier networking events in public relations, will feature the announcement of the 2024 15 Under 35 honorees and recognize winners from the Big Apple Award nominees. Maryam Banikarim, Managing Director of Fortune Live Media, will serve as the event’s emcee.

Several prestigious individual awards will be presented, including:

• Margery Kraus, Founder and Executive Chairman of APCO, will receive the 2024 John W. Hill Award, PRSA-NY’s highest honor for lifetime achievement in public relations. Kraus founded APCO in 1984, growing it into a global consulting firm and earning numerous accolades, including a spot on PRWeek’s U.S. Power List. 

• Jonathan Adashek, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at IBM, will be honored with the 2024 Harold Burson Award, which recognizes leadership in communications. Adashek has led IBM’s global marketing efforts, unifying the brand under the “Let’s Create” initiative. 

• Cathy Renna, Principal of Target Cue and Communications Director at the National LGBTQ Task Force, will receive the 2024 Barbara Way Hunter Trailblazer Award for her impact on public discourse surrounding LGBTQ+ issues. Renna’s work spans more than 25 years, influencing major events like WorldPride/Stonewall 50 and Global Pride.

• George Stephanopoulos, Chief Anchor at ABC News, will be presented with the 2024 Daniel J. Edelman Award for Social Impact. Stephanopoulos has interviewed world leaders and led ABC’s election coverage for over two decades. His influence on both public opinion and media is widely recognized.

• Lynne Scott Jackson, a distinguished lecturer at City College of New York, will receive the PRSA-NY Excellence in Mentoring Award for her dedication to guiding the next generation of communication professionals.

• Jason Abrams, Senior PR Manager at Amtrak, will be honored with the 2024 PRSA-NY President’s Award for his leadership and contributions to public relations.

This year’s awards recognize a diverse range of professionals whose contributions have shaped the public relations landscape. As PRSA-NY Chapter President Matt Rizzetta summarized, “The individuals being honored at this year's Big Apple Awards truly exemplify the highest caliber of talent and innovation across the public relations industry. Their dedication, creativity, and leadership continue to shape and elevate the profession, making them admirable and deserving of recognition. We are incredibly proud to celebrate these visionaries whose work reflects the power of collaboration and the impact of thoughtful, strategic communication."

Fay Shapiro, Publisher of CommPRO, commented on the significance of the Awards,"The Big Apple Awards continue to set the standard for excellence in public relations, highlighting the visionaries who are driving our industry forward. This event not only celebrates their achievements but also fosters the innovation and collaboration that will shape the future of communications."

The event is made possible through the support of 360PR+, Burson, HUNTER, PRophet , Edelman, Coyne PR, Notified, The Art Stevens Group, Hill + Knowlton, and Media.com. The Big Apple Awards, established in 1988, have grown to become one of the most respected honors in public relations.