Prominent Voices from New York News to Lead 2025 PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards
In a city where journalism and public relations intersect daily, two familiar faces from New York’s news landscape will take the stage together this fall. PRSA-NY has announced that Brian Stelter of CNN and Jamie Stelter of Spectrum News NY1 will co-emcee the 2025 Big Apple Awards on Sept. 18 at Sony Hall in New York City.
The Big Apple Awards, established in 1988 by the New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, honor excellence in public relations and celebrate the individuals and teams behind the year’s most effective and creative campaigns. This year’s theme, “Elevate & Evolve: Honoring PR Excellence in a Changing Landscape,” reflects the industry’s adaptation to changing communications challenges.
Brian Stelter serves as CNN Worldwide’s chief media analyst and is the lead author of the Reliable Sources newsletter. Before joining CNN in 2013, he spent six years as a media reporter for The New York Times. He is the author of three books, most recently Network of Lies, and is a producer of the Apple TV+ series The Morning Show, inspired by his earlier book Top of the Morning.
Jamie Stelter is the traffic anchor and co-host of Spectrum News NY1’s Mornings On 1, where she is known for her daily on-air exchanges with Pat Kiernan on transit, politics, and culture. She also hosts Extra Shot, NY1’s Emmy-nominated interview series.
In 2024, the Big Apple Awards featured Kiernan in a special role interviewing winners on-site, marking his return to the event after more than a decade. Known for his conversational interview style, Kiernan used a pink “tiny mic” in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, adding a distinctive touch to last year’s gala.
“We are beyond thrilled to welcome Brian and Jamie as co-emcees for this year’s program,” said Ken Kerrigan, President of PRSA-NY. “Their illustrious journalism careers and longstanding connection to New York make them the perfect pair to help us recognize the achievements and impact of this year’s Big Apple Award recipients.”
This year’s event sponsors include 360PR+, Burson, Gregory FCA, HUNTER, PRophet (exclusive sponsor of the 15 Under 35 Awards), Edelman, Notified, The Stevens / Jachetti Group, Truescope, Carmichael Lynch Relate, PR Museum, Hill & Knowlton, and IW Group, with event production by CommPRO.
A Big Apple Award remains one of the highest honors in the field, recognized for celebrating innovative, effective, and strategic communications work in one of the most competitive markets in the world.
