Reputation Is Everything as Stelters Spotlight PR’s Power to Shape Culture

Photo credit Video Production & Motion Design

Brian and Jamie Stelter wowed a packed house at Sony Hall as co-emcees of the 2025 Big Apple Awards, presented by PRSA-NY, where the communications industry’s leading voices gathered to celebrate reputation, storytelling, and creativity.

The couple brought a mix of humor, sharp industry insight, and New York energy to the stage. “PR pros are the ones who can make anything sound better,” Brian said, adding that the industry’s power lies in campaigns that “build reputations, spark conversations, and sometimes put out fires.” Jamie called the evening “a celebration of the brilliant people who shape how we see the world.”

The Stelters’ perspective comes from deep experience across media. Brian Stelter is the chief media analyst for CNN Worldwide and the lead author of the Reliable Sources newsletter. He joined CNN in 2013 after six years at The New York Times and began his career by creating the TVNewser blog. He is the author of three books, most recently “Network of Lies,” which examined Dominion’s blockbuster defamation case against Fox News, and is also a producer of Apple TV+’s “The Morning Show,” inspired by his best seller “Top of the Morning.”

Jamie Stelter has been with NY1 since 2010 after stints at WNBC and Fox29. She is best known for her on-air banter with Pat Kiernan about everything from New York traffic to politics and entertainment, and she hosts the Emmy-nominated NY1 interview series “Extra Shot.”

Their message to the industry was clear: reputation remains currency. “Your reputation follows you everywhere,” Jamie said. “Your brand is only as good as your last campaign, your last headline.”

The awards program underscored that point, with presenters representing the top tier of the business. Richard Edelman, CEO of Edelman; Corey duBrowa, global CEO of Burson; Grace Leong, CEO of Hunter; John Croll, CEO of Truescope; Jeanne M. Salvatore, Professor of Public Relations, Seton Hall University; and Bill Imada, co-founder of IW Group, all took the stage, signaling the scale of leadership gathered for the evening.

As campaigns tackling cultural conversations, global challenges, and brand reinvention were recognized, Brian reminded the audience that the best work is often “pulled off with budgets that wouldn’t even cover Manhattan rent.” For PR leaders in the room, it was a sharp reminder that resourcefulness and creativity drive impact more than money alone.

Closing the night, Jamie and Brian saluted honorees whose work “proves that communications truly shapes culture, business, and community.” Brian added, “Tonight reminded us why this industry matters and why New York will always be the heartbeat of communications.”

For communicators, the main takeaway was unmistakable: reputation remains the lifeblood of the profession, creativity fuels influence, and impact is measured not just in headlines but in how campaigns shape culture and community.