PR’s Most Powerful Voices Take the Spotlight Ahead of Big Apple Awards
Photo credit Joe Vericker
The Public Relations Society of America’s New York chapter (PRSA-NY) has unveiled the winners of its 2025 individual honors ahead of the annual Big Apple Awards, set for September 18 at Sony Hall in New York City. Recognized as the highest distinction in the New York public relations community, the Big Apple Awards highlight not only campaign excellence but also the people reshaping the industry from within.
This year’s theme, “Elevate & Evolve: Honoring PR Excellence in a Changing Landscape,” reflects the rapidly transforming communications field and the honorees’ ability to lead through complexity.
“This year’s honorees reflect the full spectrum of excellence in our profession, from the rising stars who are shaping the future of communications to the seasoned leaders whose influence has elevated the industry for decades,” said Ken Kerrigan, President of PRSA-NY. “Each has demonstrated a commitment to innovation, integrity and impact, and we are proud to recognize their achievements.”
The 2025 Big Apple Awards individual honorees include:
Sam Jacobs, Editor-in-Chief at TIME is being honored with the Daniel J. Edelman Award for Social Impact. Past honorees include George Stephanopoulos, Bret Stephens and Al Roker, all recognized for leveraging their platforms to advance social good.
Barby K. Siegel, CEO of Zeno Group, receives the John W. Hill Award, PRSA-NY’s highest individual honor recognizing lifetime achievement in public relations. Siegel joins a prestigious line of industry titans who exemplify integrity, quality and leadership. Her tenure at Zeno has been marked by breakthrough campaigns and a people-first culture that have made the agency a global force.
Douglas Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, is honored with the Excellence in Mentoring Award, celebrating his decades-long commitment to helping emerging professionals navigate and thrive in the communications industry. Simon’s mentorship has spanned traditional broadcast, digital innovation and ethical leadership.
Sam Marchiano, sports journalist; Professor, NYU Tisch Institute of Global Sport; Founding Board Member/Outreach Director Athlete Ally receives the Barbara W. Hunter Trailblazer Award. Marchiano’s work at the intersection of media, activism and education has opened doors for countless women in sports and communications, redefining what leadership looks like.
Jon Harris, EVP and Chief Communications & Networking Officer at Conagra Brands, is awarded the Harold Burson Award, which recognizes in-house leaders who exemplify modern communications excellence. Harris’ broad influence and focus on diversity, equity and inclusion mirror the values of the award’s namesake and of a new era in corporate PR.
Helio Fred Garcia, President of Logos Consulting Group, will receive the PRSA-NY President’s Award for his unwavering ethical leadership and service to the profession. Garcia, also a professor and renowned crisis communications expert, has consistently brought clarity and conscience to moments of institutional risk, political instability and social upheaval.
A Night of Industry Recognition
The 2025 Big Apple Awards ceremony is expected to bring together hundreds of senior communications executives, rising professionals and agency leaders. NY1’s Jamie Stelter and CNN’s Brian Stelter will co-emcee the event, building on the energy and acclaim of the 2024 gala, where Jamie was joined by NY1 anchor Pat Kiernan.
The event is also where PRSA-NY’s 15 Under 35 Award winners will be celebrated, with PRophet serving as the exclusive sponsor of the program, recognizing emerging talent in the industry.
“These honorees show what leadership looks like when values meet action,” said Fay Shapiro, Publisher of CommPRO. “At a time when communicators are navigating complex social, political and technological shifts, their example sets the bar for what’s possible.”
For communicators, this year’s winners offer more than inspiration. They offer a playbook. From mentorship and DEI to ethical risk management and social impact, these honorees model the evolving demands of modern communications. With trust in media and institutions under scrutiny, these leaders demonstrate how the profession can rise to meet today’s moment and shape tomorrow’s.
