Deepening resources for clear, trusted, and responsible communications

NEW YORK – (January 18, 2025) -- The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA-NY) today announced its 2025 Board of Directors, ushering in a year where the chapter plans to reimagine how it serves professionals in New York and engages with the next generation of practitioners across the country.

Ken Kerrigan, APR, a 35-year industry veteran with deep in-house and agency experience, has been named president. Kerrigan has served on the chapter’s board for the past three years and has been a PRSA member since 1989. He is also on faculty at New York University, where he teaches several classes in the School of Professional Studies Master’s in Public Relations Corporate Communications program and serves as a faculty advisor to the school’s PRSSA chapter. Kerrigan succeeds Matt Rizzetta, who will continue to serve on the 2025 Board as the immediate past president. Joining him on the Executive Committee as president-elect is Paul Cohen, North America CEO and partner at Milk & Honey.

"PRSA, and the New York Chapter in particular, has played a huge role in my career –from engaging with me as a student to introducing me to best practices and award-winning work as a professional. It’s been an amazing ride and now it’s my turn to give back so that the chapter can continue to have that same impact both for our existing members and the next generation. As we enter a year that promises to be filled with complexity, disinformation and continuing strains on the traditional media landscape the public relations profession has never been more important nor in a greater state of change. Our goal is to help practitioners successfully work through it all, as we align with the strategic vision of PRSA nationally.”  

Added Cohen, “These are critical times for our industry, and it is vital for pubic relations professionals to be able to rely on trusted industry leaders such as PRSA-NY. We represent the biggest PR market in the biggest economy in the world ― and where PRSA-NY leads, others will follow. In 2025 and beyond, we renew our focus on providing this trusted, responsible leadership, strengthening the resources our members need to communicate with clarity, honesty and integrity.”

The 2024 Nominating Committee, chaired by Carmella Glover, PRSA-NY immediate past president, and president of the Diversity Action Alliance , was responsible for selecting the chapter’s 2025 Board of Directors.

PRSA-NY’s mission is to lead, educate, mentor, and inspire public relations and communications professionals to advance their knowledge, skills, and careers. The 2025 Board of Directors embodies this mission and will continue to elevate it across chapter programs, events, and initiatives.

2025 PRSA-NY OFFICERS

PRESIDENT

Ken Kerrigan, APR

Senior Vice President, The Bliss Group

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Paul Cohen

North America CEO, partner, Milk & Honey PR

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

Matt Rizzetta

Chairman, North Six Group

Directors - Marketing

Alexandra Merceron

Executive Vice President, Rubenstein

Gianna DiPaolo

Public Relations and Social Media Strategist, Oyster Creative

Skylar Margolin (Associate Director)

Associate Account Executive, The Bliss Group

Directors - Programming

Kristen Stippich

Executive Vice President, SourceCode Communications

Shameek Bose

SVP and Partner, Fleishman Hillard

Bill Smith (Media)

SVP, The Bliss Group

Alexa Nikiforou

Account Director, Lippe Taylor

Catrine Thorrud (Associate Director- media)

Account Director, The Bliss Group

Directors - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Azizza Brinson

Vice President, PAN

Moon Kim

Executive Vice President, M Booth

Kevin Wong

SVP Marketing, Communications & Content, The Trevor Project

Directors - Membership

Paul Pettas

Vice President, Brand & Communications, Sodexo Live!

Andrew Healey

Partner, Water & Wall

Daria Coney (PRSSA engagement)

Director of Advancement Events, Kent Place School

Directors - Big Apple Awards

Brittany Bevacqua

Managing Director, Gregory FCA

Megan Miller

Account Director, 360 PR Plus

Jade Faugno-Maria (15 Under 35)

SVP, Dukas Linden

DIRECTOR - SPONSORSHIPS

Stephanie Jo Peksen

Senior Account Executive, Agency, Notified

TREASURER

Mike Del Vecchio

CFO, Prosek Partners

SECRETARY

Carly Rogers

Associate, Sloane & Company

For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship opportunities, and membership details, go to prsany.org.

About PRSA-NY

Now entering its 77^th year, the New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the country's oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations chapters. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, government, and independent practitioners. For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, and membership details, go to prsany.org.

Contact:

Giana DiPaolo
dipaolo.gianna19@gmail.com

February 28, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

NEW YORK--The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA-NY) proudly unveils its 2024 Board of Directors, ushering in a new era of leadership and innovation in communications.

Matt Rizzetta, Founder and Chairman of North Sixth Group, a distinguished entrepreneur and visionary in the field, is leading the charge as president. Rizzetta's tenure promises to carry forward the rich heritage of PRSA-NY while adding a vision to engage the future generation of communications professionals. Rizzetta succeeds Carmella Glover, who will continue to serve on the 2024 Board as the immediate past president. Joining him on the Executive Committee as president-elect is Ken Kerrigan, APR, senior vice president at The Bliss Group.

Upon assuming the presidency of PRSA-NY, Rizzetta reflected, "I am honored to join the ranks of the many previous PRSA-NY presidents who have made an indelible mark on the communications industry. This is a transformational moment for our profession, marked by rapid changes in technology, access to data and the adoption of AI. As we look toward the future of PRSA-NY, our focus will be on innovating in these areas while continuing to foster a community of collaboration that has always made PRSA-NY a special place for its members, corporate partners and the communications profession as a whole."

Added Kerrigan, “The New York Chapter of PRSA played an integral role in establishing my career in public relations – from engaging with me as a student and PRSSA president at New York University to introducing me to best practices and platforms for award-winning work as a professional. It’s an honor to help ensure that the chapter continues to have that impact both for our existing members who are professionals across the city and the next generation that will build their careers in New York.”

The 2023 Nominating Committee, chaired by Aaron Kwittken, PRSA-NY immediate past president, Chief Executive Officer of PRophet, and Chief Executive Officer of the Comms Tech Unit at Stagwell Marketing Cloud was responsible for selecting the chapter’s 2024 Board of Directors.

PRSA-NY’s mission is to lead, educate, mentor, and inspire public relations and communications professionals to advance their knowledge, skills, and careers. The 2024 Board of Directors embodies this mission and will continue to elevate it across chapter programs, events, and initiatives.

2024 PRSA-NY OFFICERS

PRESIDENT

Matt Rizzetta

Chairman, North Sixth Group

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Ken Kerrigan

SVP, Co-Practice Lead, Professional Services, The Bliss Group

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

Carmella Glover

President, Diversity Action Alliance

VICE PRESIDENT - Marketing

Paul Cohen

Partner/CEO, North America at Milk & Honey PR

VICE PRESIDENT - Programming

Kristen Stippich

Executive Vice President, SourceCode Communications

VICE PRESIDENT - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Azizza Brinson

Director, Media Strategy, Hotwire Global

VICE PRESIDENT - Membership

Paul Pettas

Vice President, Brand & Communications, Sodexo Live!

VICE PRESIDENT- Big Apple Awards

Carly Rogers

Associate, Sloane & Company

VICE PRESIDENT - Social Impact

Ámaly Homer

MarCom and DEI Strategist, Founder & CEO, Ondas Podcast

TREASURER

Brad Simon

Consultant

SECRETARY

To be announced

Head of Content Innovation

Jennifer Lewis

Vice President, The Pollack Group

DIRECTOR (Senior) - Membership, PRSSA

Daria Coney

Director of Advancement Events, Kent Place School

DIRECTOR (Senior) - Big Apple Awards

Alexa Nikiforou

Account Director, Media, Lippe Taylor

DIRECTOR (Senior) - 15 Under 35

Laura Vinci O’Neill

Partner, New York Health Media Lead, Finn Partners

DIRECTOR (Associate) - Marketing

Archana Kannan

Account Supervisor, Prosek Partners

DIRECTOR (Senior) - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Moon Kim

Executive Vice President, M Booth

DIRECTOR (Senior) - Programming

Bradley Honan

CEO & President, Honan Strategy Group

DIRECTOR (Associate) - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Kevin Wong

SVP of Marketing, Communications & Content, The Trevor Project

For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship opportunities, and membership details, go to prsany.org.

About PRSA-NY

Having celebrated 75 years of service last year, the New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the country's oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations chapters. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, government, and independent practitioners. For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, and membership details, go to prsany.org.

Contacts

Kristen Stippich
kristen@sourcecodecomms.com

NEW YORK, Sept. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA-NY) announced today that Kevin Wong, Vice President of Communications for The Trevor Project, will receive the chapter’s annual President’s award this year. Wong will be honored at PRSA-NY’s 35th annual Big Apple Awards gala on September 22, 2022, taking place at Aspire at One World Observatory.

This year’s program will focus on themes of courage, community, and change, paying homage to the evolving global business and cultural landscape that has catalyzed PR professionals to positively impact society. The awards will also celebrate PRSA-NY’s 75th Anniversary and include memorabilia from the chapter’s past.

The PRSA-NY President's Award honors someone who exemplifies the highest standards of ethical conduct and outstanding service in the PR industry and beyond. The award has been presented annually since its creation in 2003 and honorees are selected solely by the chapter’s president.

The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQ youth. Wong oversees the organization’s communications strategy, including media relations, celebrity engagement, internal and executive communications, speaking engagements and awards, and crisis communications, leading a team of 12 professionals that PR Daily recently awarded as Communications Team of the Year. He was recently recognized by PRSA-New York as a Top 10 LGBTQ PR Leader, PR News as a Social Impact Pioneer, PR Daily as the Nonprofit Communications Professional of the Year, and Muck Rack as a Top PR Person to Follow.

“Kevin and The Trevor Project’s singular commitment to serving and protecting the LGBTQ community’s youth through thoughtful and impactful communications, programming and social media has never been more important,” said Aaron Kwittken, president of PRSA-New York. “Kevin and his team’s contributions to our industry and society have been profound, helping to both save lives and safeguard gender identity and expression,” he added.

“Communicators have the unique opportunity to positively impact their communities through storytelling, and I’m proud to work alongside The Trevor Project’s expert communicators who understand the weight of that responsibility,” said Wong. “Through our work, the organization reaches a variety of audiences with messages of love and support, ensuring LGBTQ young people know they are not alone. I’m honored to be recognized by our industry and to receive this year’s President’s Award from PRSA-New York.”

PRSA-NY recently announced the shortlist of award winners for the 35th Annual PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards, featuring leading agencies and organizations across the Greater New York City Area and nationwide.

ABOUT PRSA-NY
For 75 years, the New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations Chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners. For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, and membership details, go to prsany.org.

PRSA-NY Announces 2022 Big Apple ‘15 Under 35’ Award Winners

NEW YORK, NY (August 29, 2022) -- The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA-NY) today announced the winners of one of Big Apple’s most prestigious awards: 15 Under 35. The award recognizes fifteen emerging talents under the age of thirty-five for their extraordinary works, efforts, innovation, leadership, and inspiration across the PR industry.

The recipients of the 2022 Big Apple Award 15 Under 35 are:

• Afton Grier, Senior Vice President, Integrated Strategy, dna Communications
• Amanda Gadaleta Alonso, Vice President, Ketchum
• Amanda Perez, Vice President, M Booth
• Diana Bassett, President, DBPR
• Ian MacDonald, Vice President, Allison+Partners
• Jaime Williams, Senior Account Executive, Anat Gerstein, Inc.
• Jennifer Pfleiger, Vice President, Sloane & Company
• Kerry Langstine, Account Director, BCW
• Liana Huber, Vice President, Digital, GCI Health
• Lindsey Giostra, Senior Account Supervisor, Social Impact & Sustainability,  Edelman
• Maddie Simko, Senior Strategist, Marina Maher Communications
• Marc Sausa, Vice President, Sports and Lifestyle, Berk Communications
• Sarah Vates, Account Supervisor, Influencer Marketing, Ketchum
• Shantel Risher, Client Relationship Manager, Integral
• Tiffany Chao, Corporate Communications and Programming Publicity Manager, Nickelodeon

The judges considered a range of factors in deciding the winners, such as demonstrated service to the PR industry; evidence of strong initiative, high ethical standards, leadership, and continuing education efforts; a history of significant career growth relative to age; proven professionalism and leadership; outstanding performance within the nominee’s organization; and professional recommendations.

Those recognized all scored top marks in the judges’ objective evaluations. The Class of 2022 will be recognized during the annual awards at ASPIRE at One World Observatory on September 22, 2022 along with a live stream. This year’s program will focus on themes of courage, community, and change, paying homage to the evolving global business and cultural landscape that has catalyzed PR professionals to make a positive impact on society.

For the second year in a row, MuckRack has signed on as the exclusive sponsor for the 15 Under 35 Awards. As the exclusive sponsor, MuckRack will host a private cocktail party for the 2022 15 Under 35 Award recipients. It will introduce the award during the Big Apple Awards gala and have exclusive branding on all 15 Under 35 virtual and print materials. They will also be listed as an event sponsor on all Big Apple Awards gift bags.

“The 15 Under 35 Award is one of my favorites of all the PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards as it recognizes some of the most important professionals in our industry - those that will help to share the future of PR,” says Aaron Kwittken, president, PRSA-NY. “The class of 2022 represents some of the best up and coming PR professionals in the TriState area and I’m excited to recognize these emerging leaders for the impact they have made on our industry.”

“I am thrilled to celebrate our 2022 PRSA-NY 15 Under 35 Award winners and honor such a deserving group of young talent,” says Meredith LeJeune, senior director, 15 Under 35 Awards. “All of this year’s recipients have contributed to making their places of work, community and industry a better place and I look forward to seeing their future success.”

Tickets are now on sale for $350 for PRSA members, $400 for non-members, and $2,900 for a table. For more information and to purchase your ticket(s) for the Big Apple Awards, please visit the PRSA-NY website at www.prsany.org/page/BigAppleAwards2022.

# # #

ABOUT PRSA-NY

For 75 years, the New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations Chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners. For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, and membership details, go to prsany.org.

Tickets on sale now for the annual event occurring at ASPIRE at One World Observatory on September 22

NEW YORK, (July 18, 2022) – PRSA-NY announced today the shortlist of award winners for the 35^th Annual PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards, presented by Notified. The event will be held in person at ASPIRE at One World Observatory on September 22, 2022, along with a live stream. The shortlist is composed of leading agencies and organizations across the Greater New York City Area and nationwide, including:

• 360PR+
• Allison+Partners
• B&G Foods with Gillian Small PR
• Carmichael Lynch Relate
• Coyne Public Relations
• Diffusion PR
• EY
• Global Gateway Advisors
• Harman International Industries
• HUNTER
• KWT Global
• M Booth
• Quest Diagnostics
• Sanofi
• Sharp Think
• Syneos Health
• The TASC Group
• WPP/The Pharm

This year’s program will focus on themes of courage, community, and change, paying homage to the evolving global business and cultural landscape that has catalyzed PR professionals to positively impact society. The awards will also celebrate PRSA-NY’s 75th Anniversary and include memorabilia from the chapter’s past and present to educate and engage attendees throughout the evening.

For the first time in recent years, the Big Apple Awards will also have honorary co-chairs, composed of esteemed industry leaders from across the public relations industry. The honorary-co chairs will help PRSA-NY amplify the awards to the industry-at-large and engage key stakeholders to participate in the evening. This year’s honorary co-chairs are the following: 

• Grace Leong, CEO, HUNTER
• Oscar Suris, New York President, Edelman
• Kate Ryan, US Managing Director, Diffusion PR
• Helen Shelton, Global Chief Diversity Officer, FINN Partners
• Patrice Tanaka, Chief Joy Officer, Joyful Planet, LLC
  
  

“We are proud to have these notable individuals serve as honorary co-chairs of the Big Apple Awards in September,” said Aaron Kwittken, President, PRSA-NY. “This year, we celebrate the incredible work of our members and PRSA-NY’s 75th anniversary. For the last seven decades, we have been at the forefront of public relations in the Greater New York City Area, and we look forward to honoring PRSA-NY’s past and embracing the chapter’s future.”

Following a hybrid approach in 2021, this year’s Big Apple Awards will be in-person to fully engage PRSA-NY members, supporters, and stakeholders. The chapter will safely commemorate the evening while adhering to all local and federal COVID-19 guidelines. Additional details will be provided at a later date.

“In September, practitioners and industry leaders will come together for one of the biggest nights in our profession. PRSA-NY is honored to convene like-minded individuals and celebrate their hard work and breakthrough campaigns,” said Fay Shapiro, Senior Director of PRSA-NY’s Big Apple Awards. "This year, our theme focuses on courage, community, and change -- the three pillars where we have seen PR professionals make a significant impact for the clients and communities they serve each day.”

Tickets are now on sale for $350 for PRSA members, $400 for non-members, and $2,900 for a table. For more information and to purchase your ticket(s) for the Big Apple Awards, please visit the PRSA-NY website at www.prsany.org/page/BigAppleAwards2022.

As of today, Big Apple Awards sponsors include Allison + Partners , ASPIRE, One World Observatory, Brand on Purpose Podcast, Davis + Gilbert LLP, Evins Communications, Finn Partners, HUNTER:, Lightbox Search, Muck Rack (Exclusive Sponsor of the PRSA-NY 15 Under 35 Awards), Notified, O’Dwyers, Pemberton, PRophet, The Museum of Public Relations, and The Stevens Group. To learn more about Big Apple Awards sponsorship opportunities or to volunteer for the event please contact Fay Shapiro at fays@commpro.biz. 

The complete shortlist for the Big Apple Awards can be viewed below:

REPUTATION & BRAND MANAGEMENT GROUP
Reputation / Brand Management & Brand Engagement, Integrated Communications, and Spotlight: Brand Engagement

Meet Haddie – An Ultra Rare Cotton Candy Lobster
Allison+Partners

Bush’s® Partners with Josh Groban to give beans their rightful musical due
Carmichael Lynch Relate

PEBBLES™ Celebrates its 50th Birthday by Giving Fans a Year of Surprises
Carmichael Lynch Relate

The Outsideologist Project: Inspiring a Lifelong Love of Being Outside
Coyne Public Relations

Walgreens "This is Our Shot" Campaign
WPP/The Pharm

Health Trends
Quest Diagnostics

EVENTS & OBSERVANCES GROUP
Events & Observances (One to Seven Days), Events & Observances (More than Seven Days)

Big Rigs Get Their Time to Shine at Shell Rotella SuperRigs
Coyne Public Relations

Scripps National Spelling Bee x Diffusion Make History with First Black American Winner
Diffusion PR

MBC Unfiltered: Elevating Overlooked Voices Within the Breast Cancer Community
Sanofi

TRUE SUMMER with JBL
Harman International Industries

PUBLIC SERVICE / PUBLIC AFFAIRS GROUP
Public Service, Public Affairs

Health Trends
Quest Diagnostics

CONSUMER MARKETING GROUP
Marketing Consumer Products, Marketing Consumer Services, Best use of Spokesperson / Influencer, SPOTLIGHT: Best use of Spokesperson / Influencer, Best Use of Owned Social Media,

SUNNYD Sweetest Summer Yet Hashtag Challenge
360 PR+

Giving U.S. Travelers a New Runway to Love
360 PR+

Bush’s® Partners with Josh Groban to give beans their rightful musical due
Carmichael Lynch Relate

Grape-Nuts Shortage: A Tale of Newsjacking
Carmichael Lynch Relate

Philips Hue Lights the Way in 2021
Coyne Public Relations

PEEPS® Makes a Triumphant Return to Shelves for Easter
Coyne Public Relations

Amplifying Brand Awareness of Loupedeck Through Strategic Media Relations
Diffusion PR

Honey, I’m Home: Maximizing Burrow’s Revenue Through Targeted Media Strategy
Diffusion PR

Walgreens Flu Influencer Campaign
WPP/The Pharm

MBC Unfiltered: Elevating Overlooked Voices Within the Breast Cancer Community
Sanofi

TABASCO® Brand Enters the #HotSauceWars
HUNTER

Wandermust by Four Seasons
KWT Global

Kelly Rowland Shares her Life Insurance ‘Why’
KWT Global

Slurpee Delivery to Space
M Booth

OurWay Campaign
Sharp Think

BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS GROUP
Marketing Business-to-Business, Crisis Communications & Issue Management, Internal Communications, Investor Relations, Legal Marketing & Communications.

The Great Grape-Nuts Shortage of 2021
Carmichael Lynch Relate

Supply Chain on the Brain – parcelLab with Diffusion
Diffusion PR

Resilience in Action
EY

Harnessing Colleague Pride
M Booth

TARGETED MARKETING GROUP
Targeted Marketing about Gender & Identity, Targeted Marketing to Gen Z, Targeted Marketing to Baby Boomers, Multicultural Public Relations.

BAND-AID® BRAND LAUNCHES OURTONE™ LINE OF INCLUSIVE BANDAGES
HUNTER

Claiming New SPACES For People Living With Disabilities
Syneos Health

Bronx Rising Initiative
The TASC Group

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING GROUP
SPOTLIGHT: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, SPOTLIGHT: Mental Health & Wellness, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging in the Workplace, Mental Health & Wellness in the Workplace, The Ally Award.

The Board Challenge + Global Gateway Advisors:
Accelerating Increased Representation for Black Leaders in the Corporate Boardroom
Global Gateway Advisors

Destination Tomorrow: Black Trans-Led Human Rights Campaign
The TASC Group

MEDIA RELATIONS & CONTENT MARKETING GROUP
Spotlight Categories: Executive Social Media, Video, Blogs or Microsite, Podcasts, Experiential Marketing, Media Relations, Research, Polling & Analytics; The Next Big Tech Thing in Tech.

Tommee Tippee Spills The Milk On The Raw Realities Of Parenthood
360PR+

MBC Unfiltered: Elevating Overlooked Voices Within the Breast Cancer Community
Sanofi

TWIX® Shakers Seasoning Blend Launches with Viral Chicken Wings Recipe
B&G Foods with Gillian Small PR

TRUE SUMMER with JBL
Harman International Industries

Harnessing Colleague Pride
M Booth

Health Trends
Quest Diagnostics

Claiming New SPACES For People Living With Disabilities
Syneos Health

About PRSA-NY

For 75 years, the New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations Chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners. For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events , mentorship program , jobs boards , volunteer opportunities , and membership details , go to prsany.org .

Contact:

Sabrina Browne, Vice President of Marketing, PRSA-NY
sabrina.browne@bcw-global.com  or +1 646 389 2620

PRSA-NY Announces Second Annual Virtual Summit on “Driving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forward in PR Campaigns, Workplaces, and Beyond” featuring Special Panel with CEOs of Ketchum, Lippe Taylor, and M Booth

‘Brown Table Talk’ Podcast Host and Inclusion Champion Mita Malick to Keynote Two Day Summit on June 15-16 with panelists including Communications and DEI Experts from Ally, BCW Global, Jigsaw, Monday Talent, Rubenstein, Sims Limited, The Trevor Project, the World Economic Forum, Cheer Partners and more 

May 12, 2022 – The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA-NY), the leading organization serving communications and public relations professionals in the New York metropolitan area, today announced its second annual Summit dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in public relations. The virtual event, “Driving DEI Forward in PR Campaigns, Workplaces, and Beyond,” will begin on Wednesday, June 15 and continue throughout the day on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Returning sponsors include Ketchum and M Booth.

The Summit will open with a special session featuring communications industry CEOs discussing approaches to DEI in the industry today. The panel will include: Dale Bornstein (CEO, M Booth), Mike Doyle (CEO, Ketchum), and Paul Dyer (CEO, Lippe Taylor). 

The Summit coincides with observances of Juneteenth and LGBTQ Pride month. Programming will include panel discussions, case studies from leading brands and advocacy organizations, as well as networking opportunities for PR professionals. PRSA-NY Board Members and external presenters will share best practices for growing DEI in public relations workplaces as well as in external campaigns. 

For tickets and sponsorship information visit PRSA-NY’s event page . 

Mita Mallick, a top LinkedIn voice and Head of Inclusion, Equity and Impact at Carta, will open PRSA-NY’s DEI Summit with a keynote address. Mallick also co-hosts the LinkedIn podcast, “Brown Table Talk.” Mita spent over 15 years as a storyteller, leading iconic brands like AVEENO, AVON Color Cosmetics, Chapstick, Vaseline, Suave and Dove. Throughout her career, she has fought hard to ensure people like her are included. Ensuring Black and Brown people were represented in campaigns. Ensuring products were created for all skin tones. Ensuring brands were not reinforcing stereotypes. 

“In my work as a DEI leader, I have seen firsthand the power of stories and communities to move people and inspire change,” said Mita Mallick. “I am excited to be part of PRSA-NY’s second annual DEI Summit where we will convene a purpose-driven community eager to learn and hear stories that will inspire individual and collective actions to bolster diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for the industry.”

Additional speakers include:

• Shira Almeleh, Public Affairs Manager, Jigsaw

• Shameek Bose, Global Leadership Fellow & Lead for Business Engagement, World Economic Forum

• Andrea Brimmer, Chief Marketing and PR Officer, Ally Financial

• Ashley T Brundage, President & CEO, Empowering Differences

• Kristen Lisanti, Chief Culture Officer, BCW Global

• Carly Mednick, Partner & Founder, Monday Talent

• Terry Preston, Account Supervisor, ICR

• Daniel Reynolds, Editor-in-Chief, OUT

• Cortney Willis, Entertainment Director, TheGrio and host of podcast, Acting Up

• Paula Rizzo, Emmy-Award Winning TV Producer, Bestselling Author, and Media Trainer

• Real Hamilton-Romeo, Global Head of Corporate Communications & Marketing, Sims Limited

• Christina Stokes, SVP of Talent Acquisition, Rubenstein

• Brandon Thomas, VP and Head of DEI, PAN Communications

• Dubbs Weinblatt, Founder and CEO, Thank You For Coming Out

• Eric Winkfield, VP and Head of DEI, M Booth

• Kevin Wong, VP of Comms, The Trevor Project

Additional speakers will be announced as speakers in coming weeks.

PRSA-NY’s DEI Summit is scheduled to feature discussions on:

• Attracting diverse talent: how to recruit and retain diverse PR professionals

• Reaching Gen Z and Gen Alpha Consumers and Employees Today

• Rethinking "Professionalism": Challenging Stereotypes and Long-Held Ideals to Embrace New Workplace Culture

• Communications for Social Change: How PR can lead the way for social impact; meet the brands using PR to create social change

• Unconscious Bias Training

• Meet the Media: DEI Edition

• A case study from GLAAD and leading digital financial services company Ally on a Webby Award-winning campaign to spotlight Black LGBTQ entrepreneurs

The 2nd annual “Driving DEI Forward in PR Campaigns, Workplaces, and Beyond” Summit is organized by members of the DEI Committee of the PRSA-NY Board of Directors: Rich Ferraro , Chief Communications Officer at GLAAD, the LGBTQ media advocacy organization; Rashidah Timothy , VP of media relations at Lippe Taylor; and Moon Kim , EVP of the Corporate practice at M Booth. Corinne Findlay , Account Executive at BCW Global, is also producing the Summit. 

“It is past time for industry leaders to take meaningful actions that move diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging from buzzwords into values that are embedded across the industry,” said Aaron Kwittken, President of PRSA-NY . “PRSA-NY is prioritizing pathways to create a more diverse industry and to raise the bar for how the public relations industry uses its power and reach to spotlight diverse and intersectional communities and issues.”  

Registration for the Summit is free for current PRSA-NY members and $85 for non-members. Group registrations for agencies and in-house teams are also available. To purchase tickets visit PRSA-NY’s event page .

For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events , mentorship program , jobs boards , volunteer opportunities , sponsorship opportunities , and for membership details , go to prsany.org .

About PRSA-NY
For 75 years, the New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations Chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners. For more information about PRSA-NY’s  upcoming events , mentorship program , jobs boards,  volunteer opportunities , and membership details , go to prsany.org .

Courage, Community, and Change will serve as the theme for the annual event occurring at ASPIRE at One World Observatory on September 22

NEW YORK, March 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PRSA-NY announced today early bird submissions for the 35th Annual PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards. From now through May 6, organizations and independent PR professionals can save $100.00 off their entries for the 2022 Big Apple Campaign Awards and the 15 Under 35 Awards. All entries are due by June 3, 2022.

The annual awards will be held in-person at ASPIRE at One World Observatory on September 22, 2022 along with a live stream. This year’s program will focus on themes of courage, community, and change, paying homage to the evolving global business and cultural landscape that has catalyzed PR professionals to make a positive impact on society. The awards will also celebrate PRSA-NY’s 75th Anniversary and include memorabilia from the chapter’s past and present to educate and engage attendees throughout the evening.

“This year’s Big Apple Awards will be centered around courage, community, and change, and how communications professionals must continue to uphold these values in both their work and personal lives,” said Aaron Kwittken, President, PRSA-NY. “There has never been a more critical time for the industry, and we encourage all to join us as we honor 75 years of PRSA-NY and celebrate what we aspire to achieve in the next 75 years.”

The Big Apple Awards that are open for early bird submission and their corresponding descriptions and costs are the following:

2022 Big Apple Campaign Awards
Including PR Campaign Awards, In-House Communications Awards, and Media Group Awards.
The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America established the Big Apple Awards program in 1988 to encourage excellence in public relations. The program has evolved to keep pace with a rapidly changing industry and continues to celebrate the exciting and innovative successes of talented professionals working in the heart of the communications universe. Today, a Big Apple Award is known as one of the highest honors bestowed in public relations, and in recognition, submissions will be open to the work of PR practitioners across the US from this year forward.

2022 PRSA-NY 15 Under 35 Awards (Part of the Big Apple Awards)
Younger professionals are having more influence and impact than ever on the daily operations and long-term future of public relations. The PRSA-NY 15 Under 35 Awards – the first awards for the Greater New York PR community’s foremost talent and emerging leaders, awarded by the New York PR community – recognizes young leaders for their hard work and innovation.

Public relations organizations and individual practitioners can submit their campaigns up to three categories and save additional costs on the overall awards. The early bird deadline and pricing, and the regular deadline and pricing are the following:

Following a hybrid approach in 2021, this year’s Big Apple Awards will be in-person to fully engage PRSA-NY members, supporters, and stakeholders. The chapter will safely commemorate the evening while adhering to all local and federal COVID-19 guidelines. Additional details will be provided at a closer date.

"Throughout its bold and celebrated history, public relations has served on the front lines of every facet of American society, from business and government to education and culture," said Fay Shapiro, Senior Director of PRSA-NY’s Big Apple Awards. "Yet, it wasn't until the past few years when faced with unprecedented, life and death challenges - that our profession was at last understood and appreciated by the public. This year, we celebrate the great work of our members for setting a new and promising course for the future of public relations, as they have done for the last 75 years and will continue to do for the next 75.”

As of today, sponsors include ASPIRE, One World Observatory, PRophet, Brand on Purpose Podcast, The Museum of Public Relations, Lightbox Search, and Pemberton. To learn more about Big Apple Awards sponsorship opportunities or to volunteer for the event please contact Fay Shapiro at fays@commpro.biz.

To submit your work, campaigns, and other related materials for the Early Bird deadline and maximize costs, you can visit the PRSA-NY website at https://www.prsany.org/page/BigAppleAwards.

About PRSA-NY
For 75 years, the New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations Chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners. For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, and membership details, go to prsany.org.

Contact:
Sabrina Browne, Vice President of Marketing, PRSA-NY
sabrina.browne@bcw-global.com or +1 646 389 2620

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4829254e-ac32-46ca-a56f-da3524fc9404

PRSA-NY Elects 2022 Chapter Leadership With Executives From BCW Global, GLAAD, M Booth, Padilla, Stagwell Global and Other Leading Organizations

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Kwittken is the founder and CEO of PRophet, an AI-driven PR SaaS platform backed by Stagwell Global. Prior to PRophet, Aaron founded KWT Global in 2005 (f/k/a Kwittken), a highly acclaimed global PR and brand strategy firm with offices in New York, London, Chicago, and Los Angeles, where he currently serves as Global Chairman of the agency. He’s past president of the Americas for the International Communications Consultancy Organization (ICCO), a former Board member of the PR Council, a former adjunct professor at New York University, and a former Forbes contributor.

On his appointment, Kwittken said, “As one the nation’s oldest chapters celebrating our 75th year alongside PRSA national in 2022, this will be a transformative year for our membership and industry as we transition from pandemic to endemic. My focus for our membership next year will revolve around improving our mental health and well-being, continuing the great work of our DEI Committee leadership, upskilling on comms-tech and creating more urgency around the need for us to lead in ESG and social impact. I am deeply honored to work with such a great slate of talented, compassionate and enthusiastic individuals.”

Glover is President of the Diversity Action Alliance (DAA) and the Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) at Page. The DAA is a cross-industry coalition led by communications trade organizations with a mission of accelerating progress in meaningful and tangible achievement in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field for people of color. In partnership with the DAA Board, she oversees the organization's operations, programs, budget, and strategic plan. In her Page role, she provides strategic direction for member and staff DE&I initiatives. Before her current role, Carmella was the first-ever Executive Director of the PRSA Foundation. She oversaw budget, compliance, programs, and operations for the diversity-focused charitable arm of the PRSA.

"At such a pivotal time for communicators, and with PRSA-NY being a forward-thinking chapter centered in a PR mecca, I am humbled to be party to these historic moments for the chapter,” said Glover. “The unapologetic, timely, intentional focus for this coming year is inspiring and advances the chapter's exemplary legacy of influence and leadership. I look forward to collaborating over the next few years with our talented and passionate chapter members."

Next year, PRSA-NY will continue to build on its focus of accelerating diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging across the industry. Starting in Q1 2022, PRSA-NY membership will be pronoun inclusive to increase representation amongst members and celebrate their identities and what makes them unique. PRSA-NY is the first chapter nationwide to institute pronoun inclusivity and will continue to build on these efforts. This year, PRSA-NY announced its inaugural “Driving DEI Forward” Summit, which featured sessions with industry CEOs, leaders, and other influential voices. The summit reinforced the importance of intersectional representation in PR and the role organizations and PR practitioners have in driving equity across the industry.

The 2021 Nominating Committee was responsible for selecting the Board of Directors and this committee was chaired by Kellie Jelencovich, PRSA-NY immediate past president and PR for Internova/ Global Travel Collection. The seven-person committee consisted of Jelencovich; Aaron Kwittken, PRSA-NY president-elect, founder and CEO of PRophet, and chairman of KWT Global; Kate Ryan, U.S. managing director of Diffusion; Terrell Merritt, digital and editorial strategy assistant for The City University of New York; Art Stevens, managing partner of The Stevens Group; Leslie Gottlieb, president of LG Strategic Communications; and Sandra Fathi, chief strategy officer of Gregory FCA.

PRSA-NY’s mission is to lead, educate, mentor, and inspire public relations and communications professionals to advance their knowledge, skills, and careers. The 2022 Board of Directors embodies this mission and will continue to elevate it across chapter programs, events and initiatives.

2022 PRSA-NY OFFICERS
ONE-YEAR TERMS EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2022

PRESIDENT
Aaron Kwittken
Founder and CEO, PRophet, Chairman of KWT Global

PRESIDENT-ELECT
Carmella Glover
President, Diversity Action Alliance

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Andrew Graham
Founding Partner, Clear

VICE PRESIDENT (Marketing)
Sabrina Browne
Vice President, BCW Global

VICE PRESIDENT (Programs)
Christina Stokes
Senior Vice President, Director of Talent Acquisition, Rubenstein

VICE PRESIDENT (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion)
Richard Ferraro
Chief Communications Officer, GLAAD

VICE PRESIDENT (Membership)
Carly Mednick
Founder and Partner, Monday Talent

SECRETARY
Lance Buckley
Vice President, Lippe Taylor

TWO-YEAR TERM EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2023

TREASURER
Ethan Andersen
U.S. Head of Marketing, Communications and CX, United Bank for Africa

2022 PRSA-NY DIRECTORS
TWO-YEAR TERMS EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2022

DIRECTOR (Senior) — Marketing*
Claire Nance
Head of Marketing Communications, Activision Blizzard Media
*Completing second year of two year term*

DIRECTOR (Senior) — Programs
Cessie Cerrato
Vice President Public Relations, Palace Resorts
*Completing second year of two year term*

DIRECTOR (Senior) — Diversity, Equity & Inclusion*
Rashidah Timothy
Vice President, Media, Lippe Taylor
*Completing second year of two year term*

DIRECTOR (Senior) — Membership
Kristen Stippich
Executive Vice President of Client Services, SourceCode Communications

DIRECTOR (Senior) — Big Apple Awards
Fay Shapiro
CEO and Publisher, CommPRO Global, Inc.,
New York City Leader, BitAngels Investor Network

DIRECTOR (Senior) — 15 Under 35 Awards*
Meredith LeJeune
Owner, Thought Bubble Communications
*Completing second year of two year term*

DIRECTOR (Associate) — Marketing*
Yesenia Reinoso
Digital Marketing & Media Relations Officer, Y Communicate
*Completing second year of two year term*

DIRECTOR (Associate) — Programs
Marcus Braham
Vice President, Padilla

DIRECTOR (Associate) — Programs
Terry Preston
Account Supervisor, ICR

DIRECTOR (Associate) — Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Moon Kim
Executive Vice President, M Booth

DIRECTOR (Associate) — Membership
Ivan Cardona
Graduate Director, Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, Hofstra University

DIRECTOR (Associate) — Big Apple Awards
Brooklyn MacKenzie
Senior Account Executive, HUNTER

DIRECTOR — Finance
Daria Coney
Director of Advancement and Communications, La Salle Academy

For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship opportunities, and for membership details, go to prsany.org.

About PRSA-NY

The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations Chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners.

PRSA-NY Announces Winner of The Harold Burson Award, Sponsored by BCW. Joe Cohen, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at AXIS, awarded Harold Burson Award at 2021 Big Apple Awards.

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The Harold Burson Award, sponsored by BCW, recognizes excellence in communications leadership by a non-agency practitioner: someone whose public persona, personal brand, and professional accomplishments encapsulate the values that BCW brings to its client engagements and those which comport with the industry’s leading practices, including an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity.

Joe was recognized for his best-in-class approach to communicating with precision, conviction and transparency. As Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at AXIS, Joe leads the company’s global in-house marketing and communications team. He is responsible for guiding brand reputation, marketing and advertising, digital, financial communications, and internal/change management communications, and is a member of the Company's Strategy Office, Digital Transformation Office, and its Corporate Citizenship Steering Committee.

The award was presented by Sabrina Browne, Vice President, Corporate at BCW and Vice President, Marketing at PRSA-NY. “I was honored to represent BCW and announce the recipient for the first-ever Harold Burson Award,” said Browne. “Harold’s contributions to PR are unmatched, while his commitment to mentoring young professionals and diversifying the industry continue to move us forward each day.”

A committee of PRSA-NY members collaborated with BCW to select the Harold Burson Award recipient. The recognition is PRSA-NY’s first and only individual award dedicated to a non-agency practitioner for excellence in communications.

Prior to joining AXIS, Joe served for two years as Senior Vice President, Communications at KIND Healthy Snacks. Previously, he spent 15 years at MWW, where he rose to become a senior leader in the agency’s brand marketing and corporate communications practices. Joe has received numerous industry honors and awards including the PRWeek Awards “Outstanding In-House Team” (AXIS); PRWeek Global Power Book; “PR Team Leader of the Year" at the PR News PR People Awards and inclusion in PRWeek’s “40 Under 40.”

“The Harold Burson Award is important in recognizing the role of a non-agency practitioner in helping to advance public relations and bring to life creative campaigns and executions,” said Andrew Graham, President of PRSA-NY. “Collaboration is at the heart of any successful agency and client partnership, and I could not think of a more qualified recipient than Joe, who has played a key role in championing communications at AXIS and advancing inclusion across the public relations industry.”

For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship opportunities, and for membership details, go to prsany.org.

2021 BIG APPLE AWARDS HAROLD BURSON AWARD, SPONSORED BY BCW

Joe Cohen,

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, AXIS

Joe Cohen serves as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at AXIS (NYSE: AXS), a global provider of specialty insurance and reinsurance with a presence that spans North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Bermuda. Mr. Cohen leads the Company’s global in-house marketing and communications team. He is responsible for guiding brand reputation, marketing and advertising, digital, financial communications, and internal/change management communications. Mr. Cohen is a member of the Company's Strategy Office, Digital Transformation Office, and its Corporate Citizenship Steering Committee. In 2016, he joined AXIS as the Company’s Chief Communications Officer, where he led global external and internal communications.

Prior to joining AXIS, Mr. Cohen served for two years as SVP of Communications for KIND Healthy Snacks. Previously, he spent 15 years at MWW where he rose to become a senior leader in the agency’s brand marketing and corporate communications practices. Mr. Cohen has received numerous industry honors and awards including the PRWeek Awards “Outstanding In-House Team” (AXIS); PRWeek Global Power Book; “PR Team Leader of the Year" at the PR News PR People Awards and inclusion in PRWeek’s “40 Under 40.” He is a past National Chair of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the largest member association for the communications profession. Mr. Cohen is also Past President of the PRSA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion in the communications industry.

ABOUT PRSA-NY

The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations Chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners.

PRSA-NY Announces 2021 Big Apple Awards Winners at The Edison Ballroom. Diffusion PR, Edelman, HUNTER, and WPP, among those agencies honored at the 34th annual PR industry awards.

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Honored at the event were the Big Apple Award winners and Honorable Mention recipients, the 15 Under 35 Award Winners, and the PRSA-NY Chapter’s Individual Award recipients including the PRSA-NY Excellence in Mentoring Award, the John W. Hill Award and the PRSA-NY President’s Award which is named by the Chapter’s President.

“After a challenging year for many, it was great to convene our PR industry colleagues together in the same room to celebrate the outstanding achievements of PR practitioners at the Big Apple Awards,” said Andrew Graham, President of PRSA-NY. “Last night’s awards showcased the best of our industry and reinforced the important role public relations and communications plays in shaping our society. Congratulations to all our Big Apple Award winners.”

“It was a thrill for our PRSA-NY members to come together with their peers and enjoy an evening celebrating the excellent work of public relations practitioners over the past year,” said Casey Sheets, Director, 2021 Big Apple Awards. “I extend my thanks to the incredible sponsors, speakers and volunteers that joined PRSA-NY for this memorable occasion.”

The 2021 Big Apple Awards marks a return to an in-person event, following the virtual-four day experience for the 2020 Big Apple Awards. Last night’s event was hosted by Kendis Gibson, MSNBC Morning News Anchor and Loreal Torres, Chief People Officer at Vested, who announced the award categories throughout the evening.

This year, 115 entries were evaluated by diverse teams of senior-level communications practitioners representing a broad range of disciplines and expertise. More than 75 judges reviewed and scored the entries using an online portal and then convened on Zoom for roundtable deliberations to ultimately determine the winners.

For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship opportunities, and for membership details, go to prsany.org.

BIG APPLE AWARDS 2021 WINNERS

PRSA-NY CHAPTER INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

RECIPIENT – JOHN W. HILL AWARD
Helio Fred Garcia
Executive Director, Logos Institute for Crisis Management & Executive Leadership + Columbia University.

RECIPIENT – THE PRSA-NY AWARD FOR MENTORING EXCELLENCE
Sandra Fathi
Chief Strategy Officer, Gregory, FCA

RECIPIENT – THE PRSA-NY PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Kate Ryan
Managing Director, US, Diffusion PR

RECIPIENT – THE HAROLD BURSON AWARD, SPONSORED BY BCW
Joe Cohen
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, AXIS

CCNY – PRSA-NY – ART STEVENS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Madelyn de los Santos
Ad/PR Senior, CCNY | CCNY PRSSA President

BEST-OF THE CAMPAIGN AWARDS

RECIPIENT – BEST OF THE BEST
Educators in Crisis: Supporting a Nation of Teachers in a Pandemic Landscape
Momentum Communications Group & Teaching Matters

RECIPIENT – BEST USE OF RESEARCH, MEASUREMENT & EVALUATION
COVID-19 & Communities of Color: United Way of NYC’s Campaign to Address Health Disparities & Vaccine Hesitancy through the Black Church
The TASC Group & United Way of New York City

RECIPIENT – BEST BUSINESS / CAMPAIGN OUTCOME
Empowering New Yorkers to Fight Food Waste One App Download at a Time
360 PR+ & Too Good to Go

RECIPIENT – BEST IN-HOUSE TEAM - HEALTH
Quest Diagnostics

REPUTATION & BRAND MANAGEMENT GROUP
Reputation / Brand Management & Brand Engagement, Integrated Communications, and Spotlight: Brand Engagement

RECIPIENT
Protecting Reputation, Launching Innovations and Keeping Patients Safe During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Quest Diagnostics

RECIPIENT
Educators in Crisis: Supporting a Nation of Teachers in a Pandemic Landscape
Momentum Communications Group

RECIPIENT
A Pandemic of R-E-S-P-E-C-T for NYC’s Medical First Responders.
Butler Associates, LLC, Public Relations

HONORABLE MENTION
Entenmann’s Gives Healthcare Heroes a “Standing Doughnation”
Coyne Public Relations

RECIPIENT
Scotch-Brite™ Brand Holiday Gift Guide
HUNTER

RECIPIENT
NCSOLUTIONS Leverages Toilet Paper & Sanitizer Shortages to Calm and Inform CPG Industry
Feintuch Communications

RECIPIENT
Scotch Painter's Tape Paints It Forward
HUNTER

HONORABLE MENTION
TABASCO® Brand Celebrates Family Meal
HUNTER

EVENTS & OBSERVANCES GROUP
Events & Observances (One to Seven Days), Events & Observances (More than Seven Days)

RECIPIENT
Giant Red Kettle
Rosica Communications

RECIPIENT
R&F Delivers Holiday Elves
Diffusion PR

RECIPIENT
Mucinex Shows People How Getting “Back to Normal is Up to You” with COVID-19 PSA Campaign
Legend

HONORABLE MENTION
Etch A Sketch Shakes Up a Celebration of 60 Years
Coyne Public Relations

RECIPIENT
Where There’s a Wheel, there’s a Way: The 38th Annual Shell Rotella SuperRigs Goes Virtual
Coyne Public Relations

PUBLIC SERVICE / PUBLIC AFFAIRS GROUP
Public Service, Public Affairs

RECIPIENT
Communities Matter: Bringing “GATEWAY: A Story of How Surgery and Opioids Transformed the Lives of Three Families” to the Masses
Coyne Public Relations

HONORABLE MENTION
Elevating a Mission in the Name of the Next Seven Generations
Allison+Partners

HONORABLE MENTION
Mucinex Shows People How Getting “Back to Normal is Up to You” with COVID-19 PSA Campaign
Legend

HONORABLE MENTION
A Pandemic of R-E-S-P-E-C-T for NYC’s Medical First Responders.
Butler Associates, LLC, Public Relations

RECIPIENT
COVID-19 & Communities of Color: United Way of NYC's Campaign to Address Health Disparities & Vaccine Hesitancy through the Black Church
The TASC Group

HONORABLE MENTION
Father's Day Taken
Edelman

RECIPIENT
Sparking A Dialogue of Hope: Elevating the Trevor Project’s 2020 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health
GCI Health

RECIPIENT
When Cancer Grows Old
GCI Health

CONSUMER MARKETING GROUP
Marketing Consumer Products, Marketing Consumer Services, Best use of Influencers

RECIPIENT
Fueling Extraordinary Rx Lift for a Chronic Disease Brand
GCI Health

HONORABLE MENTION
Robitussin Enlists Famed Coach to Cheer America on to Good Health
Coyne Public Relations

RECIPIENT
Coyne Shines a Light on Philips Hue in 2020
Coyne Public Relations

RECIPIENT
ChapStick® Transcends Event Expectations Amidst Global Pandemic
Coyne Public Relations

RECIPIENT
How The Hershey Company Saved Halloween
Zeno Group & FleishmanHillard

RECIPIENT
PEEPS® Makes a Triumphant Return to Shelves for Easter
Coyne Public Relations

HONORABLE MENTION
Scotch-Brite™ Brand Holiday Gift Guide
HUNTER

RECIPIENT
Boosting Burrow’s Bottom Line Through Strategic Media Targeting
Diffusion PR

HONORABLE MENTION
Boosting Burrow’s Bottom Line Through Strategic Media Targeting
Diffusion PR

RECIPIENT
Crook & Marker Brews Up Buzz with TasteMask
Coyne Public Relations

RECIPIENT
America’s First Direct-to-Consumer COVID-19 Antibody Testing Service
Quest Diagnostics

RECIPIENT
Empowering New Yorkers to Fight Food Waste One App Download at a Time
360PR+

RECIPIENT
Chase Southwest Airlines Honeymoons for Heroes Campaign
FleishmanHillard

RECIPIENT
Lifting Ski House Bookings During a Tough Travel Season
360PR+

RECIPIENT
America’s First Direct-to-Consumer COVID-19 Antibody Testing Service
Quest Diagnostics

HONORABLE MENTION
Lifting Ski House Bookings During a Tough Travel Season
360PR+

HONORABLE MENTION
MUICNEX® Changes the OTC Landscape by Going DTC
Legend

RECIPIENT
Walgreens #DefendYourCrew Flu Shot Campaign
WPP

RECIPIENT
America Runs on Post Dunkin’ Cereals
Carmichael Lynch Relate

BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS GROUP
Marketing Business-to-business, Global Communications, Crisis Communications & Issues Management, Internal Communications, Investor Relations, Annual Reports, Legal Marketing & Communications

RECIPIENT
Elevating Brand Awareness of Alliantgroup Through Strategic Thought Leadership
Diffusion PR

RECIPIENT
NCSOLUTIONS Leverages Toilet Paper & Sanitizer Shortages to Calm and Inform CPG Industry
Feintuch Communications

HONORABLE MENTION
#BeCyberSmart — National Cybersecurity Alliance with Crenshaw Communications
Crenshaw Communications

RECIPIENT
Informa Pharma Intelligence Response to COVID-19
Diffusion PR

RECIPIENT
‘Using Communications to Strengthen Reputation, Promote Innovation and Keep Employees Informed and Safe During the COVID-19 Pandemic’
Quest Diagnostics

HONORABLE MENTION
A Pandemic of R-E-S-P-E-C-T for NYC’s Medical First Responders.
Butler Associates, LLC, Public Relations

RECIPIENT
When a Coughing Video Goes Viral During a Pandemic: How Proactive Issues Management Mitigated Reputational Issues
Weill Cornell Medicine

RECIPIENT
BMS for Community
GCI Health

HONORABLE MENTION
Using Communications to Keep Employees Informed and Safe During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Quest Diagnostics

TARGETED MARKETING GROUP
Targeted Marketing about Gender, Targeted Marketing to Millennials, Targeted Marketing to Baby Boomers, Marketing Targeted Specifically to Animal Care, Multicultural Public Relations, Targeted Marketing: Additional Multicultural Campaigns

RECIPIENT
No Is Beautiful x Once Upon a NO
Golin

RECIPIENT
STONYFIELD ORGANIC GOES TO THE DOGS Raising the Bar for Outdoor Spaces that are Safer for Pets and their Families
360PR+

RECIPIENT
COVID-19 & Communities of Color: United Way of NYC's Campaign to Address Health Disparities & Vaccine Hesitancy through the Black Church
The TASC Group

HONORABLE MENTION
Father's Day Taken
Edelman

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY GROUP
Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Relations

RECIPIENT
Zaadii: The Legend of Z-Hawk—Consumer Distracted Driving Education Campaign
Peppercomm

RECIPIENT
Empowering New Yorkers to Fight Food Waste One App Download at a Time
360PR+

HONORABLE MENTION
STONYFIELD ORGANIC GOES TO THE DOGS Raising the Bar for Outdoor Spaces that are Safer for Pets and their Families
360PR+

MEDIA RELATIONS & CONTENT MARKETING GROUP
Spotlight Categories: Content Marketing, Digital Media, Video, Blogs or Microsite, Podcasts, Experiential Marketing, Media Relations, Websites, Analytics, The Next Big Tech Thing: Innovative Technological Approaches to Execution

RECIPIENT
#MakeMilkMoments Digital Media Campaign
Pollock Communications

RECIPIENT
Interviews with Zinaejah
Germinder & Associates, Inc.

RECIPIENT
Worldwide Headquarters of Play
Coyne Public Relations

HONORABLE MENTION
Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2021 Announcement
HUNTER

RECIPIENT
Chicco “Log-on for Car Seat Safety” Livestream
360 Public Relations

RECIPIENT
Survivorship Today: What It’s Like to Live with Cancer
GCI Health

HONORABLE MENTION
Positioning Shopify as a Commerce Leader
Allison+Partners

RECIPIENT
The COVID Slide: Measuring and Mitigating the Impact of the COVID Crisis on Student Achievement
Zer0 to 5ive

RECIPIENT
Walgreens Unveils Efforts to Support COVID-19 Vaccinations to High Priority Populations
WPP

RECIPIENT
Building Brighter Futures Together - YouthBuild Website Redesign
Goodfuse

About PRSA-NY

The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations Chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners.

PRSA-NY and BCW Announce the Creation of The Harold Burson Award, which will recognize a non-agency practitioner for outstanding communications achievement. The first-ever winner will be awarded during the Big Apple Awards being held Tuesday, September 28.

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The award will recognize a non-agency practitioner for outstanding communications achievement. The recipient will demonstrate a best-in-class approach to communicating with precision, conviction and transparency, values that BCW brings to every client partnership. The recipient will also have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and have an established track record of working to eliminate mis-, dis- and mal-information, important principles that BCW and PRSA-NY share.

A committee of established public relations practitioners from PRSA-NY will collaborate with BCW to select the recipient. The recognition is PRSA-NY’s first and only individual award dedicated to a non-agency practitioner for excellence in communications.

“PR teams don’t shine without the collaboration and support of the clients and colleagues who are in a position to turn our ideas into actions,” said Andrew Graham, president of PRSA-NY. “This recognition of a non-agency practitioner is important because the recipient will represent the ideal partner for our industry’s best and brightest professionals.”

COVID-19 Disclaimer

PRSA-NY will be following National, State, and Local guidelines with regards to COVID-19 safety measures for in-person events and proof of vaccination. More information regarding proof of vaccination will arrive closer to the event in accordance with these mandates.

ABOUT BCW

BCW is the global communications agency built to move people. BCW partners with clients in the B2B, consumer, corporate, crisis management, healthcare, public affairs, purpose and technology sectors to set strategic direction for all communications and create powerful and unexpected ideas that earn attention. Through an “earned-plus” offer – earned media plus paid media, creative technology, data, AI and an expanding suite of innovative capabilities – BCW moves people with power and precision to move its clients forward. BCW is a part of WPP (NYSE: WPP), a creative transformation company. For more information, visit www.bcw-global.com.

ABOUT PRSA-NY

The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations Chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners. For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship opportunities, and for membership details, go to prsany.org.

PRSA-NY Announces 2021 Big Apple ‘15 Under 35’ Award Winners. The Class of 2021 will be recognized during the Big Apple Awards being held Tuesday, September 28, 2021 in-person at the Edison Ballroom in New York City.

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The recipients of the 2021 Big Apple Award 15 Under 35 are:

• Nina Marie Costa, Assistant Director of Public Relations & Entertainment Marketing, UNICEF
• Meghan Kenny Hopkins, Senior Manager, Internal Engagement and Communications, Quest Diagnostics
• Mandy Menaker, Global Head of PR, ClassPass
• Michael Kaye, Corporate Communications Manager, LinkedIn
• Erika Sabalvoro, Manager, Marketing and Communications at dentsu Media US
• Kaitlyn Nealy, Senior Vice President, dna Communications
• Alexandra Cano, Brand Account Supervisor, Hunter
• Kristen Clonan, Founder and President, KCLO & CO
• Denise Cui, Account Supervisor, Goodfuse Communications
• Kieren Weisert, Senior Account Executive, TASC Group
• Jamie Shum, Admissions Advisor at Purchase College, SUNY
• Brandon Thomas, Vice President and NY General Manager, PAN Communications
• Terry Preston, Account Supervisor, ICR
• Troy Blackwell Jr., CEO and Founder, Ready for Change
• Emily Graham, Chief Equity & Impact Officer, OMNICOM GROUP

The judges considered a range of factors in deciding the winners, such as demonstrated service to the PR industry; evidence of strong initiative, high ethical standards, leadership, and continuing education efforts; a history of significant career growth relative to age; proven professionalism and leadership; outstanding performance within the nominee’s organization; and professional recommendations.

Those recognized all scored top marks in the judges’ objective evaluations. The Class of 2021 will be recognized during the Big Apple Awards being held Tuesday, September 28, 2021 in-person at the Edison Ballroom in New York City.

“The 2021 PRSA-NY 15 Under 35 Award winners represent some of the best and brightest PR minds the Tristate area has to offer,” says Andrew Graham, president, PRSA-NY. “These emerging leaders are making a lasting impact in their places of work, community and industry as a whole. We are honored to recognize such a deserving group of young talent.”

Tickets can be purchased here.

COVID-19 Disclaimer

PRSA-NY will be following National, State, and Local guidelines with regards to COVID-19 safety measures for in-person events and proof of vaccination. More information regarding proof of vaccination will arrive closer to the event in accordance with these mandates.

ABOUT PRSA-NY

The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations Chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners. For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship opportunities, and for membership details, go to prsany.org.

PRSA-NY Announces Juneteenth Summit to Drive Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Forward Across the Public Relations Industry

Omnicom Chief Equity & Impact Officer Emily Graham to Kick-off the Keynote for the Two Day Summit, June 16-17, 2021

Panelists Include Communications Leadership from Bombas, OkCupid, PepsiCo, P&G, and Yelp

Call for Submissions Opens for PRSA-NY’s Leadership in Diversity & Inclusion Honors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA-NY), the leading organization serving communications and public relations professionals in the New York metropolitan area, today announced its inaugural Summit dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in public relations. The virtual event, “Driving DEI Forward in PR Campaigns, Workplaces, and Beyond,” will begin on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 16 and continue throughout the day on Thursday, June 17, 2021. The Summit coincides with observances of Juneteenth and LGBTQ Pride month.

PRSA-NY Announces Juneteenth Summit to Drive Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Forward Across the Public Relations Industry

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For more details, tickets, and sponsorship information, visit PRSA-NY’s event page.

Emily Graham, Chief Equity & Impact Officer at Omnicom, will open PRSA-NY’s DEI Summit with a keynote address. Programming will also include panel discussions, case studies from leading brands and advocacy organizations, as well as networking opportunities for PR professionals. PRSA-NY Board Members and external presenters will share best practices for growing DEI in public relations workplaces as well as in external campaigns. Additional leaders on DEI in the public relations and media industries will be announced as speakers in coming weeks.

“The communicator’s role in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion is undeniable and essential. We are catalysts for transformation, accelerated adoption and unwavering authenticity,” said Graham. “PRSA-NY’s Summit will empower public relations leaders to move with intention, confidence, and to better understand the critical shifts that have catapulted DEI to the center of our work, changing the expectations for our industry’s future.”

PRSA-NY also opened a call for submissions for its Leadership in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Honors, which recognize individuals growing DEI in-house or at agencies and will be announced during the DEI Summit. The Leadership in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Honors recognize individuals who improve, drive, and implement DEI in their own workplace or in the PR industry at large. Honorees can include Diversity Officers or other professionals whose passion for DEI transcends beyond their current role. Potential candidates should have a proven track record with workplace initiatives or external campaign work in the area. To apply or nominate a colleague, visit PRSA-NY’s DEI Honors page.

The newly formed DE&I Director positions of PRSA-NY’s Board is organizing the “Driving DEI Forward in PR Campaigns, Workplaces, and Beyond” Summit. These directors on the PRSA-NY Board include Rich Ferraro, Chief Communications Officer at GLAAD, the LGBTQ media advocacy organization and Executive Producer of the GLAAD Media Awards; Rashidah Timothy, VP of media relations at Lippe Taylor; and Brandon Thomas, VP and general manager of PAN Communications.

“For far too long, the public relations industry has needed to improve diversity, representation, and equity across race, gender, and LGBTQ identity, and industry leaders should urgently commit to meaningful actions that will create change,” said Andrew Graham, President of PRSA-NY. “PRSA-NY prioritizes DEI efforts that will not only create better opportunities for industry professionals of diverse backgrounds but unlock the power that the public relations industry has in educating, informing, and enlightening audiences to diverse and intersectional communities and issues.”

In addition to the keynote from Emily Graham and the presentation of the Leadership in Diversity & Inclusion Honors, PRSA-NY’s DEI Summit is scheduled to include discussions on:

• Intersectionality featuring leaders of campaigns that respond to or focus on recent attention around #StopAsianHate, Black Lives Matter, and LGBTQ issues
• Race, Diversity, and Equity in Public Relations
• Women & Leadership in Public Relations
• Case studies: Best practices for DEI in campaigns
• Meet the Media featuring LGBTQI+ and other beat reporters representing diverse media outlets

Panelists include:

• PJ Calzadilla Ortiz; Associate Program Manager | Engagement, Diversity + Belonging at Yelp
• Lamar Dawson, LGBTQ+ Columnist & Entertainment News Writer
• Yera Ha, Marketing Communications Consultant at PepsiCo
• Michael Kaye, Senior Global Public Relations Manager at OkCupid
• Brent Miller, Senior Director, Global LGBTQ+ Equality at Procter & Gamble
• Imani Rodman, Senior PR & Communications Manager at Bombas

More names to be announced soon.

The Summit will also feature sessions for students and junior professionals to hear from diverse industry leaders and connect with agencies and in-house public relations teams.

“When DEI and Public Relations combine, there is a significant opportunity to create real impact,” said Rich Ferraro, PRSA-NY’s VP of D&I and GLAAD’s Chief Communications Officer. “Questions about how to include diverse audiences and issues in public relations campaigns are common today, and PRSA-NY aims to create resources and events like this summit to assist our members and the industry at large with how to incorporate DEI in effective and authentic ways.”

“Last year, brands acknowledged they missed the mark on either being allies, educating or taking a stand and scrambled to execute smart and actionable diversity efforts,” said Rashidah Timothy PRSA-NY’s Senior Director of D&I and VP, Media Relations at Lippe Taylor. “As they are creating internal and external communications strategies with DEI at the heart of it, PRSA-NY is providing them with the playbook and reshaping the industry through this Summit.”

“We’re in a moment within the communications, public relations and marketing industries where the door has been swung open to have thoughtful, open and meaningful dialogue around DEI,” said Brandon Thomas, PRSA-NY’s Associate Director of D&I and Vice President and General Manager, PAN Communications. “We hope that this Summit will serve as an opportunity to provide individuals and agencies who are learning and growing in their DEI journey with a resource that will further move us forward in our collective goal for industry growth.”

Individual tickets for the Summit are $55 for PRSA-NY Members and $85 for non-members. Group tickets for agencies and in-house teams are available. To purchase tickets visit PRSA-NY’s event page.

About PRSA-NY

The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations Chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners. For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, job boards, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship opportunities and membership details, go to prsany.org.

“It’s about thoughtful media targets, not just lists”

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PRophet, which launched last October and is backed by Mark Penn’s MDC Partners, is the first-ever AI-driven software platform that can predict the media interest, sentiment, and spread of a pitch, talking point, or piece of news before it is released. PRophet can help media relations professionals know how, or if, a journalist is likely to respond to a pitch, and bolster their strategic advice with rigorous evidence.

“Before PRophet, assessing whether a reporter would write a story rested largely on an individual’s gut instinct and professional experience. PRophet uses AI—specifically, a combination of natural language processing and machine learning—to analyze past reporter behavior to predict future outcomes. With this data-driven insight, teams can develop more thoughtful strategies around positive news and emerging issues, removing much of the guesswork from the client experience,” wrote PRophet CEO Aaron Kwittken, who is also PRSA-NY president-elect, on the PRSA-NY website.

“It’s about thoughtful media targets, not just lists,” he added.

PR and communications teams working collaboratively, and brainstorming can use the PRophet platform to test, retest, and strategize on a campaign, pitch, or press release before going to market. They can also use the platform to test how a pitch, story idea, or crisis statement will perform using PRophet’s media categories – or against their existing media contacts and desired targets.

All attendees of the webinars will receive a certification badge that indicates their status as PRophet-certified users, which can be displayed on their LinkedIn profiles.

For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship opportunities, and for membership details, go to prsany.org.

About PRSA-NY

The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations Chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners.

PRSA-NY COVID-19 Survey reveals less than 8% of PR practitioners expect to be back in the office full-time 

New survey engaged more than 100 PR practitioners on the impact of COVID-19 in the industry over the last 12 months

NEW YORK, April 8, 2021 - PRSA-NY today announced the results of its COVID-19 “12 Months On” survey, which aims to better understand the pandemic’s impact on the PR industry. Entry- to senior-level executives participated in the survey, which revealed valuable insights to inform PR organizations and practitioners as they navigate the year ahead.

Less than 8% of professionals surveyed expect to be back in the office full-time, with 61.7% of respondents expecting their company to return to the office with a hybrid model. Just over 12% of respondents expect to work remotely full-time.

Over 90% of professionals surveyed believe COVID-19 demonstrated the value of communications for organizations, with over half believing it showed the value across all facets of the industry, including corporate, internal, employee and external communications. Additionally, 95% of respondents reported having to make adjustments to their communications strategies over the last 12 months due to COVID-19. 

“Amid COVID-19, practitioners are doing what they've always done: swiftly adapt to help clients and colleagues communicate in a way that advances towards business objectives. We know how to work amid changes and uncertainties,” said Andrew Graham, President, PRSA-NY. “Yet, fiscal challenges are still presenting themselves across the industry, as many practitioners reported their organizations did not increase spend in the last 12 months.” 

The survey results found budgets are the biggest area impacted by COVID-19 for PR practitioners, followed by campaigns, talent hiring, and the cancelation of deals and partnerships. The biggest shifts in strategies were towards virtual events, diversity and inclusion, and internal communications. While more than a third of PR professionals (40.4%) reported no boost in any areas of spending over the past year, there were increases in spending across corporate communications (20.2%), crisis communications (17.2%), and internal communications (15.2%). 

“2020 was a year like no other and as the voice of PR and communication professionals in New York, PRSA-NY wanted to better understand how the impact COVID-19 has had on our profession so we can continue to support our members. This survey highlights the value of communications to organizations, from external and crisis communications to internal and employee communications, while spotlighting some of the key communications trends,” said Claire Nance, Senior Director of Marketing, PRSA-NY.

Other key findings from the “12 Months On” survey included:

• 99% of respondents were working remotely at some point over the last 12 months, with 8.1% of those individuals having returned to the office.

• 29.3% of respondents said their attitude to remote work had changed over the last 12 months, with a further 25.3% of respondents saying their attitude continues to change. 

• Lastly, key trends from the last 12 months that are predicted to have the most impact on the PR industry include:

  • Increased emphasis on diversity and inclusion

  • Remote working

  • Virtual events

  • Work-life balance

PRSA-NY will highlight the survey findings across its social channels over the coming weeks. People are encouraged to follow along on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship opportunities, and for membership details, go to prsany.org.

About PRSA-NY

The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations Chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners.

Contact 

Sabrina Browne, Vice President of Marketing, PRSA-NY

sabrina.browne@bcw-global.com or +1 646 979 0172

PRSA-NY today announced early bird submissions for the 34th Annual PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards Gala. From now through May 7, organizations and independent PR practitioners can save $100.00 off their entries. #PRSANY #BigAppleAwards

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“We are pleased to offer early bird opportunities for agency and individual practitioners, who are leading the PR industry during an unprecedented time in our industry,” said Andrew Graham, President, PRSA-NY. “This year’s Big Apple Awards will be centered around purpose, and how the fast-evolving PR environment and cultural shifts have accelerated the demand for organizations to make a meaningful impact with stakeholders.”

PRSA-NY is planning for the Big Apple Awards to be a hybrid experience of virtual and in-person programming for attendees occurring in September 2021. While a majority of the event will be virtual, there could be in-person programs for attendees to safely commemorate their Big Apple Awards while adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. PRSA-NY will continue to assess the landscape to ensure a safe and secure experience for all participating attendees.

The Big Apple Awards that are open for early bird submission and their corresponding descriptions and costs are the following:

2021 Big Apple Campaign Awards
Including: PR Campaign Awards, In-House Communications Awards, and Media Group Awards.
The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America established the Big Apple Awards program in 1988 to encourage excellence in public relations. The program has evolved to keep pace with a rapidly changing industry and continues to celebrate the exciting and innovative successes of talented professionals working in the heart of the communications universe. Today, a Big Apple Award is known as one of the highest honors bestowed in public relations and in recognition, submissions will be open to work of PR practitioners across the US from this year forward.

2021 PRSA-NY 15 Under 35 Awards (Part of the Big Apple Awards)
Younger professionals are having more influence and impact than ever on the daily operations and long-term future of public relations. The PRSA-NY 15 Under 35 Awards – the first awards for the Greater New York PR community’s foremost talent and emerging leaders, awarded by the New York PR community – recognizes young leaders for their hard work and innovation.

Public relations organizations and individual practitioners can submit their campaigns up to three categories and save additional costs on the overall awards. The early bird deadline and pricing, and the regular deadline and pricing is the following:

“In 2020, we witnessed the power of public relations, as we reworked campaigns and strategies to adapt to our quickly changing world,” said Casey Sheets, Senior Director, PRSA-NY’s Big Apple Awards. “This change also taught us myriad lessons on how to be efficient and purposeful communicators, and we’re excited to have the chance to honor our communities’ efforts in September. This year’s awards represent today’s business landscape, and we are excited for PRSA to see what’s in store.”

To submit your work, campaigns, and other related materials for the early bird deadline, you can visit the PRSA-NY website at https://www.prsany.org/page/BigAppleAwards.

About PRSA-NY
The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations Chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners. For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, and for membership details, go to prsany.org.

Partnership and women’s empowerment workshop forms cornerstone of PRSA-NY’s Women’s History Month activations

NEW YORK, March 8, 2021 - PRSA-NY today announced its partnership with the Red Shoe Movement (RSM), a leadership company dedicated to women’s career development, in recognition of Women’s History Month. The partnership will see PRSA-NY participate in “Ring the Bell on the 7 Seas”, a Red Shoe Movement® Gender Equity global initiative, and host an intimate event for its members, Executive Presence In The New Normal on March 24. The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA-NY) is the leading organization serving communications and public relations professionals in the New York metropolitan area.

“Ring the Bell on the 7 Seas“ is a global campaign that acknowledges International Women’s Day on March 8 with the ringing of a bell echoing UN Global Compact’s “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” initiative with stock exchanges around the world. Now in its fourth year, “Ring the Bell on the 7 Seas” encourages participants to take turns in ringing the RSM’s bell and read an empowering manifesto, while wearing red shoes, ties or accessories. As a celebrating partner, PRSA-NY will encourage its members to take part and share the moments across its platforms.

The Executive Presence In The New Normal virtual event will be held on March 24 at 5.30 PM ET. It will begin with a fireside chat between Mariela Dabbah, Founder and CEO of RSM, and PRSA-NY Board Member and Senior Director, Programming Cessie Cerrato, before transitioning to an interactive workshop focusing on women’s empowerment and developing an executive presence in a remote professional environment. Tickets for the workshop are $20 for members and $40 for non-members and can be purchased on prsany.org.

"Diversity and inclusion is an important focus for PRSA-NY, and we are proud that our board includes a majority of women this year. Women’s History Month represents a key moment to recognize and celebrate so many outstanding women in the PR industry and raise awareness around gender equality. PRSA-NY is proud to partner with Red Shoe Movement to highlight the continued importance of representation of women in the workplace,” said Andrew Graham, President, PRSA-NY.

“From the beginning of the pandemic, we knew how important it would be to stay focused on inclusion as women would be disproportionately affected. Unfortunately, we were proven right. So this March, we ring the bell once again, virtually and physically, to shine a light on the need for inclusion across the board and particularly for more women in leadership positions. I’m thrilled to have PRSA-NY, a vibrant and influencing organization, join our efforts. I invite everyone to grab a bell and join the conversation using #IWD2021 and #GenderBell,” said Mariela Dabbah, Founder and CEO, Red Shoe Movement.

PRSA-NY will also be celebrating Women’s History Month throughout March by spotlighting rising women professionals in PR on PRSA-NY’s social channels. Follow along for the month’s announcements on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, and for membership details, go to prsany.org.

About PRSA-NY

The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations Chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners.

About Red Shoe Movement

The Red Shoe Movement (RSM) is a leadership development company powered by a global community of women and men allies who support each other for career success. RSM offers tools for female talent to align their objectives with those of their organizations, in order to grow effectively, and it works with its clients to help them achieve an inclusive workplace. It offers a two-pronged approach that delivers internal and external impact. With global initiatives such as the “Ring the Bell on the 7 Seas”, its recognition platform that includes the Hall of Fame and Red Shoe Leader Awards, and weekly iconic campaigns like #RedShoeTuesday, the RSM connects brands with female professionals.

Contact:

Sabrina Browne, Vice President of Marketing, PRSA-NY

sabrina.browne@bcw-global.com or +1 646 979 0172

PRSA-NY Announces Opening of 2021 Board Nominations

Contact: Sabrina Browne
Vice President of Marketing, PRSA-NY
sbrownepr@gmail.com or +1 646 979 0172

NEW YORK, NY (August 17, 2020)— The 2021 PRSA-NY Nominating Committee is seeking nominations from members for the Chapter’s next selection of leaders who will compose its Executive Committee and Board of Directors. The call for nominations is open now, with a deadline of September 9, 2020.

The elections for the 2021 PRSA-NY Board of Directors will be held on October 29, 2020. Each nominee must be a current member of PRSA-NY.

The Chapter’s mission is to is to lead, educate, mentor and inspire public relations and communications professionals to advance their knowledge, skills and careers. PRSA-NY members who embody that mission are highly encouraged to review the open board positions and consider serving on the organization. Beyond generating executive visibility, board membership provides individuals with the opportunity to expand their network and gain immeasurable experience from one of the largest, most diverse PRSA organizations nationwide.

“Serving on the PRSA-NY Board is an invaluable opportunity for dynamic PR professionals who desire to make an impact in the Greater New York City Area,” said Kellie Jelencovich, PRSA-NY President. “At this moment in time, when multiple national crises have evolved the way we execute public relations, it is more imperative than ever that our Executive Committee and Board Members reflect the communities where we live. We are proud of the Chapter’s progress to date and recognize the opportunity to diversify our efforts to continue driving success now, in 2021 and beyond.”

The 2021 PRSA-NY Board of Directors will include three new positions, focused on accelerating diversity and inclusion across the organization’s internal and external efforts. This includes Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion, which will be a key member of the Executive Committee. The additional positions include Senior Director of Diversity & Inclusion and Associate Director of Diversity & Inclusion.

The Executive Committee and Board of Directors are expected to proactively participate and prepare for regularly meetings to accelerate PRSA-NY’s mission, as well as submit monthly reports as appropriate. Unexcused absences for three consecutive meetings may lead to removal by the board.

The 2021 Nominating Committee consists of Kellie Jelencovich, PRSA-NY President; Andrew Graham, PRSA-NY President-Elect; Leslie Gottlieb, PRSA-NY Immediate Past President; Terrell Merritt, PRSA-NY Diversity & Inclusion Committee Member; Henry Feintuch, PRSA-NY Past President; and Sandra Fathi, PRSA-NY Past President. The Nominating Committee’s responsibility is to recommend to the Chapter’s membership the 2021 Board of Directors.

About PRSA-NY

The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners.

PRSA-NY has postponed the 2020 Big Apple Awards, originally scheduled for June 16, to Sept. 30. The awards will be presented at the Edison Ballroom in New York City.

The award entry deadline has been pushed back to Friday, June 5. Award nominees will be notified in mid-July.

“Our focus right now is on the health and well-being of our colleagues and community,” said PRSA-NY president Kellie Jelencovich. “This Fall, the PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards will be a wonderful opportunity for us to come together and recognize the incredible talent and creativity of our industry.”

Awards will be given in more than 100 categories, including reputation and brand management, events and observances and public service campaigns.

PRSA-NY membership is not a requirement to submit an entry. To find out more about the Big Apple Awards, or to place an entry, click  here.

To read the original article, click here.

About PRSA-NY
The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners.

Pitching Travel Media Amid the COVID-19 Shutdown

Like many parts of the American economy, the travel and tourism sector has been hit hard by the Coronavirus shutdown.

However, PR pros can still pitch relevant stories to travel media, according to an April 14 webinar hosted by Kellie Jelencovich, PR manager at Travel Leaders Group and president of PRSA’s New York Chapter.

Natalia Lopez, vice president of marketing firm FINN Partners and moderator of the webinar titled “Meet the Travel Media: Pivoting Media Strategies Amid COVID-19,” said PR pitches shouldn’t be “too salesy or tone deaf” during the shutdown.

And Hana Alberts, New York Post travel editor and one of the three journalists on the panel, agreed. With the country under lockdown, this is a difficult time “to remind people that your property, airline or brand exists, without being tone-deaf to people who’ve lost their jobs,” she said.

Travel content that tells readers, “Go here. Do this.” is not appropriate these days, she added. Instead, she’s looking for service-oriented travel stories about what’s happening now, such as how to get refunds for canceled trips.

Alberts is also interested in first-person, “as told to” accounts of the problems that travelers have endured because of the coronavirus shutdown. Her section will also profile intrepid travelers with “narratives, but not necessarily recommendations,” she said.

The story angles that editors seek

As always, story angles that editors seek will depend on the publication and its audience. Johanna Jainchill, news editor for trade magazine Travel Weekly, said she’s looking for updates on new products and travel trends, as well as reports about the travel industry opening new hotels and cruise ships.

For her publication, “Not everything should be about COVID-19,” she said. Jainchill also believes that “more intrepid people are going to be less put off” by the virus, and that it’s still OK to promote adventure-travel destinations. In fact, she said, “I don’t see any reason why people shouldn’t promote any destination.”

Melanie Lieberman, travel editor with the online publication The Points Guy, said her site is trying to find the right way to move away from Coronavirus content, and toward more evergreen travel stories and “aspirational content that will be relevant three to six months from now, to keep people inspired and excited about travel.”

In the meantime, some of Lieberman’s recent posts have been titled “Should You Use an Airline Sleep Mask as a Face Cover During Coronavirus?” and “Vacation Rental Guests and Hosts Are All Feeling the Cancellation Crunch.”

Lieberman is also interested in stories about vacations closer to home, such as road trips to national parks. Readers are still engaged, she said, and the “appetite for cruising and travel, in general, will return and even be stronger when we come out on the other side” of the COVID-19 crisis.

Alberts offered a similarly hopeful view. “People still want to travel,” she said, “and are dreaming of the future.”

To view the original article click here.

About PRSA-NY
The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners.

PRSA member Lauren Wire is from Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Her parents, like most during these times, have been worrying about their children, and monitoring the news to see how the virus is affecting New York City. A few weeks ago Lauren’s parents called to say they wanted to donate pizzas to the local hospital, where a friend of Lauren’s works, having seen how hard NYC was being hit with the virus. After thinking about it, Lauren reached out to friends and family. It turned out many were looking for ways to help but did not quite know how to do so from their homes. This was the perfect opportunity for Lauren who soon raised about four thousand dollars from family and friends. She arranged for the money to be used to buy food to be distributed to hospitals around the city. To date she has donated to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, Mount Sinai Hospital Queens, North Central Bronx, and Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Center. Lauren and her donors have been dropping off meals for about 25 to 50+ per drop.

Among those supporting the initiative is PRSA-NY Senior Director of Programing Cessie Cerrato.

To arrange the food delivery has been a mix of creativity and luck. While one of Lauren’s friends is a nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital and was able to connect her with the relevant persons to distribute the food, this was not always the case with the other hospitals. “On Facebook I searched Bronx Hospitals and found a vivacious woman who posted about leaving her home state to come work as a nurse in the Bronx,” explains Lauren. “I've been told many of these hospitals are not getting as many of the food donations, so I messaged her through Facebook and as strangers, we made a food drop happen to her team.”

Similar scenarios occurred with other locations too. “For the Brooklyn hospital I was working out in my apartment courtyard and saw my exhausted nurse neighbor coming back from a long shift. We exchanged information and set-up Italian food for 50 at her hospital the following week,” says Lauren.

“The most important thing we can do right now as non-essential workers is stay in and stay safe,” Lauren says. “Our healthcare workers cannot do that so one small way we can help them feel normal is by providing a meal and allow them to focus on their job.”

Lauren is an Account Supervisor at Finn Partners and work primarily in tourism public relations. She has garnered the strength of her contacts in the food and hospitality industry to support restaurants during the current NYC on Pause initiative by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

“It feels good to play a small part in fueling their business through the purchase of food,” Lauren says. “I wanted to make sure that the restaurants were benefiting from this as much as the nurses, so while I certainly welcomed any free add-ons or slight discounts, it was more about getting quality food.”

Lauren is still working to deliver much needed meals to other hospitals. “It continues to show them that their community has their back,” she says.

Please see below the restaurants who helped make this happen.

• Nerai ( Midtown Manhattan)
• Segreta (Midtown Manhattan)
• Da Nonna Rosa (Brooklyn)
• fresh&Co (Citywide)
• Michael Angelo's on Arthur Avenue (Bronx)
• Las Catrinas (Astoria)
• ll Fornaio Bakery Cafe  (Italian Bakery Queens)

About PRSA-NY
The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners.

With so many professionals working from home during these challenging times, PRSA-NY was interested to learn how it is impacting productivity and time management, and whether families and fridges are distractors. According to this informal online survey of PRSA-NY membership, which was conducted between March 30^th and April 1^st, more than half of respondents (54%), believe they are more productive working from home as compared to being in a traditional office. They are disciplined, as most (69%), only make one to three runs to the refrigerator each day. 

As for at home snack habits, 26% open the refrigerator four to six times, and 4% percent own up to seven or more snack runs a day. Fruit is the go-to snack of choice with a whopping 51% of respondents eating healthy. Other snack choices are: Chips – 17%; Pretzels – 6%; Cookies – 15%; and Chocolate – 8%.

“Public relations professionals are resilient,” according to Kellie Jelencovich, PRSA-NY President. “Our work continues and is needed now more than ever.  Although the corner office has been replaced with the kitchen counter, the importance of communications continues in stride.”

Productivity

• Respondents are still working tirelessly, with 83% working six-twelve hours a day, and 46% reporting a saving of two hours each day that had been consumed with commuting. 
•  41% report having greatest productivity between 11am and 2pm, with 8pm and later being the least productive time of the day.

What to Wear

• Work attire has relaxed, with 51% working in pajamas, and 48% still wearing work clothes.

Respondents were asked to write in tips for Working From Home. Over 40 tips were shared, including a few of the following:

• ·  Set video chats or calls with one friend or relative each day unrelated to work.
•  Get up from your computer for lunch and move.
• Walk flights of stairs, go outside if safe for a socially distant walk, get a hula hoop. Stay fit and healthy.
• Focus and stick to normal working hours. Close that laptop once it's time.
• Highlight "Must Do Today" items from your to-do list at the start of each day.
• Shower, brush your teeth and communicate proactively.
• Try and replicate the office, work, team environment. Connect with clients and team members as you would on any given day in the office.
• Productivity for your clients can and may rise if you focus on results and teamwork.
• Select a designated area for your WFH space.
• Change out of pajamas and wear jeans and a t-shirt to work in to still allow for comfort.
• Take a walk when it's supposed to be the end of the day, so it feels like a commute.
• Dress up so you keep a routine. Wake up and get ready as usual.
• Stay focused, be sure you have everything you need nearby, pads, printer, pens, water etc. The best part about working from home are my ten-minute breaks outside in the sun.
• Keep making priority lists, make sure you move during the day, make your space feel as much like your office as possible
• Take a break and read or relax or better meditate.
• Get outside for at least a few minutes today.
• Establish a routine, exercise every day, and hydrate.
• Take breaks to stand up and move around. Use video chat for virtual happy hours to provide breaks and social connection. Shut down your laptop at a certain time to maintain boundaries.
• Do housework and clean things when you would be commuting.
• Manage expectations such as your own, and your clients' and employer's.
• Eat healthy as you can, drink water and breathe.

About PRSA-NY

The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners.

Accepting Entries from All Industry Professionals in the Tri-State Area through June 5^th

(March 26, 2020) New York, NY -- PRSA-NY has announced its postponement of the 2020 Big Apple Awards, originally scheduled for June 16^th, to September 30, 2020. It will be held at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. 

“Our focus right now is on the health and well-being of our colleagues and community,” said Kellie Jelencovich, President of PRSA-NY. “This Fall, the PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards will be a wonderful opportunity for us to come together and recognize the incredible talent and creativity of our industry.”

The official Call for Entries portal is still open for communications professionals across the New York metro area. The award entry deadline has been extended and will remain open through Friday, June 5, 2020, providing an additional three months to craft entries. By recognizing and honoring excellence and innovation, the Big Apple Awards helps to build bridges toward the future. 

PRSA-NY membership is not a requirement for entry, but members do enjoy chapter event discounts, including discounts on Big Apple early bird registration and multiple-entry campaign submissions. Learn more about the benefits of PRSA-NY membership here.

Finalists will be notified in mid-July and the Awards Gala will be held on September 30^th at the Edison Ballroom in New York City.

About the Big Apple Awards and PRSA-NY

PRSA-NY established the Big Apple Awards in 1987 to celebrate excellence in public relations. Widely regarded as one of the industry’s most prestigious accolades, the Big Apple Awards honor innovative and strategic PR campaigns and projects. 

The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA-NY) is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners. The mission of the New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is to lead, educate, connect, mentor and inspire public relations and communications professionals at all levels to advance their knowledge, skills and careers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in all we do.

Contact:
Wendy Steinberg
Vice President of Marketing, PRSA-NY
wendy.steinberg@riverspringhealth.org
or 917-855-1491