PR Daily’s Media Relations Awards finalists announced

Media relations professionals operate at the intersection of timing, storytelling and trust. As the go-to source for training, best practices and recognition in public relations, PR Daily has a front-row seat to the campaigns and individuals shaping conversations, driving narratives and elevating reputations.

PR Daily’s Media Relations Awards celebrate the people and teams behind today’s most effective earned media efforts — those who forge strong journalist relationships, break through the noise and deliver powerful results for their brands and clients.

The stakes have never been higher. In an era of shrinking newsrooms, expanding platforms and constant crisis, media relations leaders must be creative, agile and precise. Whether managing reputational risks, launching groundbreaking campaigns or keeping their organization top of mind, these professionals lead with strategy, persistence and innovation.

The 2025 finalists exemplify what it means to lead in media relations. Their work spans industries and formats, but what unites them is a commitment to integrity, connection and impact.

Read on to meet this year’s finalists — and join us on September 26, 2025, at the Yale Club in New York City, where we’ll announce the winners during a special awards luncheon.

Congratulations to all finalists.

 

Awards of Distinction

Media Relations Campaign of the Year: Over $50,000

Auntie Anne’s: Just What Auntie Anne’s Kneaded

Autodesk: Autodesk’s May the Fourth — Star Wars Day — Droid Maker Campaign

Brooks Running: “Let’s Run There” with Jeremy Renner

H&S Communications: Martha Stewart’s Thanksgiving-Inspired Farm Stay by Booking.com

Heineken: Heineken 0.0 Brings the L0VE.L0VE for Moderation to US Open

PATRÓN Tequila: PATRÓNDesert

Spirit AeroSystems: Safety Quality Compliance

Wells Fargo: Autograph Journey Launch Campaign

 

Media Relations Campaign of the Year: Under $50,000

AGEAN Public Relations: Owning Manhattan: Making Sure Reality TV Delivered “Real” Business Results for Real Estate Brand, SERHANT

Bospar: Beyond the Blue Screen: Parametrix Puts a Price on CloudStrike Crisis

Cleary Strategies & National Test Prep Association: The Future of Standardized Testing Post COVID

Cleary Strategies & The Seeing Eye: Changing Lives with Volunteer Puppy Raisers

Ivanti: Ivanti CSAM

Landis Communications: Doctor’s Check-up for General Sherman Tree

 

Media Relations Campaign of the Year: Under $10,000

American Academy of Family Physicians: Immunization Awareness Month

Intrepid Travel: The 2025 Not Hot List

Paradox Public Relations: Preserving Art in Crisis

Texas A&M AgriLife: Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications

 

Media Relations Professional of the Year

Joe Buccino: Spirit AeroSystems

Kira Caban: Instawork

Nicole Dye-Anderson: Wells Fargo

Michelle Green: McDonald’s

Rick Havacko: Toshiba America Business Solutions

Kosoko Jackson: Color Of Change

 

Media Relations Team of the Year

BarkleyOKRP: BarkleyOKRP Media Relations Team

Dallas ISD: Voices of Impact: Dallas ISD’s Media Relations

KC Projects Public Relations: KC Projects Public Relations

Mastercard: Mastercard Communications

Northeastern University: Northeastern University Media Relations Team of the Year

TK PR: TK PR Team

Water and Wall: Water & Wall’s EY US Tax Team

Wells Fargo: Wells Fargo

 

Campaign Categories

Brand Messaging or Positioning

AGEAN Public Relations: Owning Manhattan: Making Sure Reality TV Delivered “Real” Business Results for Real Estate Brand, SERHANT

Alloy: Establishing a Learning Leader

Broadsheet Communications: Bridging the Divide: How Broadsheet Positioned Newsweek as the Leader of Centrist Journalism

Broadsheet Communications: Comscore’s Comeback: From Underdog to Standard-Bearer

evian: evian Teams Up with Pharrell Williams’ Humanrace to Launch Tennis-Inspired Apparel Collection in Advance of New York’s Largest Tennis Tournament

Heineken: Heineken 0.0 Brings the L0VE.L0VE for Moderation to US Open

Hilton: Driving Stories of Brand Innovation, Modernization and Differentiation with Hilton Brand Showcase: The Art of the Hilton Brand

Intuit Dome: Intuit Dome Grand Opening

LA Clippers and Intuit Dome: LA Clippers Opening Night & The Wall!

Poarch Creek Indians: Poarch Creek Indians: Strengthening Legacy and Leadership Through Brand Messaging

UPRAISE Marketing + PR: Shaping the Narrative Around Privacy-Forward Solutions in a Cookie-Less Era

 

Community Relations

Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A Remarkable Future — 2024 Announcements Scholarship

Kaplow x HearingLife: Campaign for Better Hearing

RTI International: NC Missing Person Day

Sterling Health Care: Sterling Health Care Marketing Department

Suburban Propane: SuburbanCares

The Cirlot Agency: Mississippi Mud Monsters

University of Notre Dame: In the Presence of Giants

 

Content Marketing and Brand Journalism

Adtalem: Equity, Delivered

EY Consulting: AI Anxiety in Business

Navy Federal Credit Union: Narrative Storytelling

 

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Cellebrite and FleishmanHillard: Empowering Change: Combatting Internet Crimes Against Children

Genesis Motor America: Genesis x U.S. Soccer Foundation Mini Pitch Initiative

Hyundai Motor America: The Progress Project by Hyundai

 

Crisis or Reputation Management

American Hospital Association: American Hospital Association Change Healthcare Cyberattack Response

Bospar: Launching the Climate College

California Pizza Kitchen: Cheese & Mac

Cincinnati Children’s: Cincinnati Children’s Marketing and Communications

Texas A&M AgriLife: Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications

Vanderbilt University: Sticking to Your Values & Steering Public Perception amid Campus Unrest

 

Data-Driven and Measurement

FINN Partners: Allianz Partners’ New “Pay-cation” Travel Trend Steals the Spotlight

Geotab: Gardiner Traffic Congestion Study & Data Storytelling

Mindshare PR: PROP Index Media Share of Voice Methodology

NeuroStar & EvolveMKD: Breaking Barriers with NeuroStar Depression Barometer

 

Finance/Fintech

Bospar: Beyond the Blue Screen: Parametrix Puts a Price on CloudStrike Crisis

Bospar: SignalFire: From Seed Stage to Front Page

Marathon Strategies: From Upstart to Leader: Elevating Farther Amid Year of Unprecedented Growth

Webull: 5WPR x Webull

 

Global Media Relations

Hilton: Global 2024 Trends Report: Spotlighting Generational Insights for a Fresh Look at Travel Trends

Intrepid Travel: The 2025 Not Hot List

Oakley: 2024 Summer Games: An Exoplanetary Experience

Proofpoint: Safeguarding the Inbox: Helping Consumers Around the World Better Understand the Risk of Phishing and Email Fraud

Spirit AeroSystems: Safety Quality Compliance

 

Governmental or Public Affairs Media Relations

AARP and FleishmanHillard: Fighting for Our Nation’s Caregivers

American Medical Association: Elevating Physician Concerns on the Change Healthcare Cyberattack

Broadsheet Communications: Raptive’s “Keep It Real” Campaign Takes on Google’s AI Power Grab

iQ 360: Leading with Culture & Values: A Winning Narrative for the Alaska Airlines-Hawaiian Airlines Combination

Spirit AeroSystems: Safety Quality Compliance

 

Healthcare

Children’s Health: ‘Expanded Space, Expanded Care’ Communications Plan From Children’s Health Includes Community in New Hospital Construction

Children’s Hospital Colorado: Children’s Hospital Colorado Pushes for Shift in Public Perception of Weight Loss Meds as Docs Use the Drugs to Cure the Uncurable

Current Global, an IPG PR company: Reframing MS with Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Novartis

Healthcare Distribution Alliance: Stronger

HIMSS: Public Relations for the 2024 HIMSS Global Conference and Exhibition

MKC Strategies: Bellamy Young Raises Awareness of Hepatic Encephalopathy

Northwell Health: One South: Portrait of a Psych Unit

Otsuka America Pharmaceutical: Missy Franklin Dives Into Kidney Disease Awareness with Otsuka Collaboration

Peterson Health Technology Institute: Diabetes & Virtual MSK Assessment Reports

Genentech and Syneos Health Communications: Putting Ableism in the Spotlight: A First-of-its-Kind Musical

 

Influencer Relations 

BIC: BIC Intensity Pens Clic with TikTokers

Ivanti: Ivanti

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory: Interesting an Influencer in Hydropower

Praytell: Barefoot Bandwagon with Donna Kelce

Wells Fargo: Autograph Journey Launch Campaign

 

Innovative Media Strategy

AGEAN Public Relations: Owning Manhattan: Making Sure Reality TV Delivered “Real” Business Results for Real Estate Brand, SERHANT

Agnieszka Pilat: HETEROBOTA

Northeastern University: Northeastern University Media Relations: Innovative Media Strategy

Paradox Public Relations: Preserving Art in Crisis

Spirit AeroSystems: Safety Quality Compliance

Vantage + Vox: Safety Quality Compliance

 

Integrated Marketing Communications

Current Global, an IPG PR company: Reframing MS with Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Novartis

HUNTER: A Breath of Fresh Air Wick

Konnect Agency: Noodles & Company’s LTO Care Bears Share Menu

McDonald’s USA x BODEN Agency: Uniting Abuela and Gen Z Through the Grandma McFlurry

Miami International Airport: Unveiling the Modernization in Action (M.I.A.) Plan

Sanofi, Ruder Finn, Patients & Purpose, Havas Media Network: Launching The 1 Pledge Movement

Texas A&M AgriLife: Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications

The Bliss Group: “It’s Gotta Be A CFP” Public Awareness Campaign

UW Medicine: Center for Behavioral Health & Learning

VyStar Credit Union: Financial Fitness/Reality Fair

 

Issues Management 

Broadsheet Communications: Raptive’s “Keep It Real” Campaign Takes on Google’s AI Power Grab

Spirit AeroSystems: Safety Quality Compliance

Vanderbilt University: Sticking to Your Values & Steering Public Perception Amid Campus Unrest

 

Media Relations

AGEAN Public Relations: Owning Manhattan: Making Sure Reality TV Delivered “Real” Business Results for Real Estate Brand, SERHANT

Amp Agency for Popilush: Popilush PR Campaign: Building Credibility for Shapewear Apparel Pioneer

Broadcom and Big Valley Marketing: Enabling AI Infrastructure Campaign

Broadsheet Communications: Roblox and Pubmatic Put In-Game Advertising on the Cover of the Wall Street Journal

EDO and KCSA: Game-Changing Analytics: EDO and KCSA Promote the Power of NFL TV Advertising

ESPN: ESPN Bristol Media Day

EY Consulting: AI Anxiety in Business

Haleon: TUMS Fuses Food, Fashion and Heartburn Relief through Limited Edition TUMS Bag

Otsuka America Pharmaceutical: Revolutionizing Digital Therapeutics with Rejoyn

Sanofi, Ruder Finn, Patients & Purpose, Havas Media Network: Launching The 1 Pledge Movement

Spirit AeroSystems: Safety Quality Compliance

Wells Fargo: Autograph Journey Launch Campaign

 

New Product or Service Launch 

Bayer Consumer Health: Bayer Consumer Health Brings Plant-Powered Digestive Relief with Launch of Iberogast

Channel V Media: Heimdall Power’s “Magic Balls” Break Into the U.S.

Godfrey: CASE Construction Equipment 580EV Electric Backhoe Product Launch

HUNTER; International Delight: International Delight Iced Coffee: Delight Saving Time Campaign

Planit: Current Backyard Launches the Current Model G at CES 2024

Praytell: Peet’s Coffee Launches Bright Collection in Brightest Spot on Earth

Spirit Airlines: Media Coverage Soars to New Heights: Spirit Airlines Launches Strategic Media Relations Campaign for Transformation and New Guest Experience

Wells Fargo: Autograph Journey Launch Campaign

 

Newsjacking 

Autodesk: Autodesk’s May the Fourth — Star Wars Day — Droid Maker Campaign

BarkleyOKRP: E-Z-GO x Trevor Lawrence

Bospar: Beyond the Blue Screen: Parametrix Puts a Price on CloudStrike Crisis

Broadsheet Communications: Newsjacking: Putting the Brakes on Google’s New AI-Powered Search Results

Cleary Strategies & National Test Prep Association: The Future of Standardized Testing Post COVID

Felix Cat Insurance: Cat Dad Hoodie Campaign

NRGized Media: Marlon LeWinter

PAN: Putting the Flex(tirement) in Media Relations​

The Hoffman Agency: The Hoffman Agency

 

Nonprofit

Bospar: Launching the Climate College

Cleary Strategies & The Seeing Eye: Changing Lives with Volunteer Puppy Raisers

Easterseals DC MD VA: Walk with Me

FleishmanHilard on Behalf of the White House Historical Association: Introducing America to The People’s House: A White House Experience

Koch Comm: CARC Real Life, True Purpose

M Booth/Penn Engineering: Penn Engineering Launches First Ivy League Degree in Artificial Intelligence

Paradox Public Relations: Preserving Art in Crisis

PepsiCo Beverages North America: PepsiCo Spotlights Veteran Drivers in Annual Rolling Remembrance Relay

PRLab: PRoBono 2024

World Wildlife Fund: UN Treaty to End Plastic Pollution (INC-4)

 

Press Event or Media Tour 

Agnieszka Pilat: HETEROBOTA

Aperol and M Booth: Cementing Aperol Spritz Into the Cultural Lexicon

Coriolis Company: Publicity Campaign for Black Woman on Board by Donna J. Nicol

Hilton: Crafting an Eventized Storytelling Vessel with Hilton Brand Showcase: The Art of the Hilton Brand

Koch Comm: EMBARK Bus Rapid Transit (RAPID) Launch Public Engagement Plan & Execution

Landis Communications: Doctor’s Check-up for General Sherman Tree

Michelin North America & Ketchum: Michelin Sustainability Summit: Driving Towards a Greener Tomorrow in Transportation

Oakley: 2024 Summer Games: An Exoplanetary Experience

Onyx Collective: “Queenie” — London Event

OraPharma: Cover Your Bases: Alex Rodriguez Teams Up with OraPharma to Educate Americans About Gum Disease

PATRÓN Tequila: PATRÓN F1 Vegas

The MRKT: Celebrating Culture & Community: The PR Strategy Behind Candy Cane Lane’s Success

Ubisoft: Star Wars Outlaws

Viettel Group: Viettel’s 35th Anniversary

Wells Fargo: Autograph Journey Launch Campaign

 

Pro Bono Campaign

Broadsheet Communications: Creating a New Category of Therapy: Off the Couch and into the Great Outdoors

Paradox Public Relations: Preserving Art in Crisis

 

Public Health

American Academy of Family Physicians: Immunization Awareness Month

HUNTER: Lysol HERE for Health Schools

Sanofi, Ruder Finn, Patients & Purpose, Havas Media Network: Launching The 1 Pledge Movement

 

Purpose-Driven

Asylum Public Relations: 4KINSHIP Indigenous Futures

Cellebrite and FleishmanHillard: Empowering Change: Combatting Internet Crimes Against Children

Next PR: Raising the White Flag on Mental Health Awareness

Paradox Public Relations: Preserving Art in Crisis

The Bliss Group: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Weather Kids Campaign

 

Rebrand

Heineken: Heineken 0.0 Brings the L0VE.L0VE for Moderation to US Open

Personify Health: Because Health is Personal: The Introduction of Personify Health

 

Research 

EY Consulting: AI Anxiety in Business

Kaplow x HearingLife: Campaign for Better Hearing

Neo4j, Ruder Finn: The ElectionGraph Project

Northeastern University: Northeastern University Media Relations Research

PAN: Finding the ​ “Blue Space” in Mainstream Media​

 

Social Media

California Pizza Kitchen: Cheese & Mac

Henry Schein: Henry Schein Medical’s Athletics and Schools Rising Star Award

Miami International Airport: I am MIA

 

Stunt or Special Event

Agnieszka Pilat: HETEROBOTA

H&S Communications: Martha Stewart’s Thanksgiving-Inspired Farm Stay by Booking.com

International Delight: International Delight x Bridgerton: Coffee & Courting Event

Konnect Agency: Kraft Natural Cheese Signature Shreds Event

Landis Communications: Doctor’s Check-up for General Sherman Tree

Panda Express: Panda Express Sparks Connections, Hosts One-of-a-Kind Culinary Experiences for Return of Firecracker Shrimp LTO

PATRÓN Tequila: PATRÓNDesert

Sanofi, Ruder Finn, Patients & Purpose, Havas Media Network: Launching The 1 Pledge Movement

TK PR: Eugenia Duke’s Unofficial Mayo Guide to Greenville

Travel + Leisure Co.: Club Wyndham SeaWorld Suite

When We All Vote: When We All Vote Rally

 

Technology

AdventHealth: The Career Experience at International Pathfinder Camporee: Technology

Agnieszka Pilat: HETEROBOTA

Broadcom and Big Valley Marketing: Enabling AI Infrastructure Campaign

Channel V Media: Heimdall Power’s “Magic Balls” Break Into the U.S.

Neo4j, Ruder Finn: The ElectionGraph Project

PAN: Finding the​ “Blue Space” in Mainstream Media​

Proofpoint: Safeguarding the Inbox: Helping Consumers Around the World Better Understand the Risk of Phishing and Email Fraud

 

Thought Leadership

Bitso: Crypto Landscape in Latin America

Black Futures Lab and Black to the Future Action Fund: Kristin Powell Thought Leadership

Cargill: One Cargill

EY Consulting: AI Anxiety in Business

Hoboken Public Library: Hoboken Public Library Fights for the Right to Read

Ivanti: Ivanti CSAM

University of Notre Dame: Asher Kaufman: Conflict in the Middle East

 

Use of a Celebrity or Personality

Agnieszka Pilat: HETEROBOTA

Bayer Consumer Health: MiraLAX Exposes The Gut Gap

Brooks Running: “Let’s Run There” with Jeremy Renner

Current Global, an IPG PR company: Reframing MS with Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Novartis

M Booth: RoC Skincare Look Forward Project

McDonald’s USA x BODEN Agency: Uniting Abuela and Gen Z Through the Grandma McFlurry

Orangetheory Fitness: Orangetheory’s “WTF is OTF?! Comedy Event” Blended Humor and Fitness to Ease Gym-timidation

Praytell: Barefoot Bandwagon with Donna Kelce

Reach Agency: Lil Jon x Natural Vitality: A Mindful Partnership

Samsung Electronics America: Galaxy Ring x LaQuan Smith

Sanofi, Ruder Finn, Patients & Purpose, Havas Media Network: Launching The 1 Pledge Movement

Santa Monica Travel & Tourism: Santa Monica Beach Volleyball Olympic PR Campaign

UScellular: UScellular’s Global Day of Unplugging

 

Video

Brooks Running: “Let’s Run There” with Jeremy Renner

Miami International Airport: Safety first at MIA: Skytrain repairs and partial reopening

Praytell & Destination Canada: Destination Canada and Nicole Byer Give Americans a “Crash Course” in Canadian Winter

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