Luncheon | November 5, 2026 | 12-2:30 PM | NYC
Luncheon | Nov. 5, 2026 | 12-2:30 PM
New York City, NY
Akanksha Adlakha
Napster
The Year’s Standout Work Takes Center Stage in New York
Congratulations to the finalists in Ragan’s 2026 Zenith Awards, honoring outstanding communications, PR and marketing campaigns, teams and leaders! Your work earned its place among the year’s standouts for the strategy, creativity and results behind communications that made a meaningful impact.
On Thursday, November 5, join Ragan at the Edison Ballroom in New York City for the Zenith Awards Luncheon, where finalists from leading brands, agencies and organizations will come together for an afternoon of recognition and celebration, with category winners revealed live on stage.
The Zenith Awards honors the year’s top work across internal communications, external communications, public relations and marketing, making this an opportunity to celebrate alongside professionals responsible for some of the industry’s strongest work. Connect with fellow communicators, PR professionals and marketers while seeing the campaigns, teams and people that stood out to our esteemed panel of judges.
Bring the colleagues, clients, agency partners and leaders who helped make your finalist recognition possible. Whether you reserve seats for your team or gather around a table together, the luncheon gives everyone behind the work a chance to share the moment when the winners are announced.
Space is limited, and tables are expected to fill quickly as finalist teams make plans to attend. Secure your seats for the 2026 Zenith Awards Luncheon and join us November 5 at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. Be there when exceptional communications, PR and marketing work receives the recognition it deserves.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A celebratory luncheon honoring the year’s best communications work
Live announcement of Zenith Awards winners
Connection and camaraderie with fellow finalists and industry leaders
Photo ops and an inspirational atmosphere worthy of your achievements
FINALISTS
AWARDS OF DISTINCTION
Finalists:
- Blood Cancer United: Modernizing a Legacy Brand to Meet Patients' Needs
- Bospar: Seeing RealSense
- Genesis Motor North America: Genesis Invitational - California Rises Initiative
- Kroll Media: Cobell Settlement: A Search for 17,000 Long Lost Heirs
- Memorial Hermann Health System
- Schneider Electric: Repositioning the Brand as the Energy Technology Partner
- SiTime: Making Timing Visible: How SiTime Turned Titan into a Category-Defining Semiconductor Story
- Susan Davis International: MCHF 250th Marine Corps Anniversary
- Unisys: Benjamin Moore: Masterpiece of Cloud Innovation
CAMPAIGNS & CATEGORIES
Finalists:
- Bospar: Seeing RealSense
- Jennings Social Media and Martech: Lumitex
- ROI Communication: From AI Foundations to AI Maturity: An Enablement Program for Communicators
Finalists:
- All For Kids: 2025 Annual Report: Building Tomorrow Today
- American Public Transportation Association: William J. Maroni
- BKM Capital Partners: BKM Capital Partners 2025 Annual Letter
- Impact Alamance: 2025 Annual Report
- Southcoast Health: Southcoast Health 2025 Annual Report of Giving
Finalists:
- BARBRI: Discover BARBRI Professional Education
- CNA: Cardinal E&S Brand Launch
- Cox Enterprises: Cox Enterprises Corporate Website
- Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany: Greatness Begins in the Invisible
- NantBioRenewables: Ocean Calcium Sand™: Renewable, climate‑positive material
- Novartis: Dear Doctor
- Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA): WMATA - The People Who Move the Region
Finalists:
- Cloudera: #ClouderaLife
- Cloudera: State of the Enterprise AI Survey Report
- Cox Enterprises: Cox Enterprises Corporate Website
- Memorial Hermann Health System: Memorial Hermann Resolution
- NantBioRenewables: Ocean Calcium Sand™: Renewable, climate‑positive material
- Pelco Solutions: Pelco Solutions Brand Evolution
Finalists:
- Marelli: Marelli Leading Global Change Communications Through Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
- Mastercard: ERG Evolution
- Quennect Communications, Inc.: Scaling Change Communications for a 985-Location Technology Modernization
Finalists:
- Bospar: “Queer Joy is Resistance”: How PR Turned a Sponsorship Crisis into Record Fundraising
- Genesis Motor America: Imagination to Innovation: Genesis and Child Creativity Lab Expand Access to STEAM Education in Under-Resourced Communities
- Genesis Motor North America: Genesis Invitational - California Rises Initiative
- PwC: Community Day
Finalists:
- Bospar: From Ghost to Guide: SHL's Resurrection
- TIAA: Essentials by TIAA
- Unisys: Benjamin Moore: Masterpiece of Cloud Innovation
Finalists:
- Minneapolis Institute of Art: Summer@Mia 2025
- Novartis: Dear Doctor
Finalists:
- Bospar: “Queer Joy is Resistance”: How PR Turned a Sponsorship Crisis into Record Fundraising
- Bospar: Seeing RealSense
- Jewish Community Services of South Florida: Fighting for Miami's Safety-Net of Services: CBO Funding 2025
- Marelli: Marelli Leading Crisis Communications Through Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Finalists:
- 404 d.o.o x Dukat: Don't waste food
- Genesis Motor America: Imagination to Innovation: Genesis and Child Creativity Lab Expand Access to STEAM Education in Under-Resourced Communities
- Hachette Book Group: Raising Readers
- Salinas Valley Health: Vaccination Campaign
Finalists:
- Advocate Health, Wake Forest University School of Medicine: Match Day 2026: Kameron Williamson
- Purdue University: Sunnie x Purdue University
Finalists:
- ChristianaCare: Flu Heroes, Unite!
- Cisco: Cisco Innovating Internal Communications
- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US): EY All in 30, All in focus
- Freeport-McMoRan: Freeport's Transition to Autonomous Haulage
Finalists:
- ChristianaCare: Flu Heroes, Unite!
- Cisco Systems, Inc.: Connected Cisco – Recognition Challenge FY26
- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US): EY SHINE
- M Group and Oak: M Group transforms workforce connectivity throughout a complete rebrand with Oak
- Mubadala Investment Company: From Voice to Venture: How “Mubadara” Turned Employee Ideas Into Investments
- PwC: Community Day
- The Driving Force Group of Companies: The Good Games
Finalists:
- Cloudera: #ClouderaLife
- Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany: Greatness Begins in the Invisible
- Wolverine Worldwide: Positioning WWW as an Employer of Choice
Finalists:
- BMO Financial Group: Powered by us: Mobilizing senior leaders for BMO’s Ambition 2030 strategy
- Cisco - CBEAM Events Team: Powering an Inclusive Future for All: The Evolution of Cisco's Purpose-Driven Event Strategy
- HAVAS Red: Opill + Chillhouse Campaign
- Hays Electrical Services: Hays Electrical Cook-Off Takeover
- Mubadala Investment Company: Bringing “OneMubadala” to Life: The Mubadala Fair 2025
- Red Banyan: Nova Music Festival Exhibition
- Spears Group: National Fried Chicken Festival 2025
Finalists:
- Kroll Media: Cobell Settlement: A Search for 17,000 Long Lost Heirs
- Unisys: Trust the Data: How Unisys went analog to meet the Australian government's digital transformation decision makers
Finalists:
- Cloudera: Positioning Cloudera as an Enterprise AI Authority through Influencer Activations
- Hyundai Hope on Wheels: Driving Hope Beyond the Road: Hyundai’s Mission to End Childhood Cancer
- InnoVision Marketing Group: Huey Magoo’s Influencer Campaign Turns Tenders into Trends
- Linqia: Linqia and Noodles & Company Hack TikTok Ramen Hack Culture
- NAVC: Today’s Veterinary Practice: Edición Español
Finalists:
- DKC: The American Revolution
- Kroll Media: Cobell Settlement: A Search for 17,000 Long Lost Heirs
- Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority: Welcome to Fabulous
- LHH: A Beautiful Working World
- Manulife: Women's and family health product
- NBCUniversal Telemundo: Unstoppable Women - Together Unstoppable
- Novonesis: National Flagship Manufacturing Day Event at Novoneis
- Philip Morris Inernational: IQOS Curious X: The Cultural Engine Behind a Smoke-Free Future
- Sinclair Agency: Let Builders Build
- TD SYNNEX: 2025 TD SYNNEX Direction of Technology Report Strategic Communications Campaign
- The Minnesota Star Tribune: "Because the world is watching.": Minnesota Star Tribune and the impact of Operation Metro Surge
Finalists:
- Acrisure: Travel and Expense Policy Transformation
- ChristianaCare: Flu Heroes, Unite!
- Designer Brands: Designer Brands Internal Video Strategy
- Mastercard: Mastercard Technology Symposiums
- Quennect Communications, Inc.: Scaling Change Communications for a 985-Location Technology Modernization
- TD SYNNEX: Leading & Learning as One: Unifying Culture and Leadership at TD SYNNEX
- Virgin Australia: Guided by integrity: bringing ethics and compliance to life at Virgin Australia
Finalists:
- Mastercard: theHUB
- Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP: Athena Intranet Project
- Philip Morris International: OnePMI: Where People, Purpose, and Progress Connect
Finalists:
- Business Roundtable: Business Roundtable Makes the Case for Tax Reform
- Children's Health: Protecting Families Through Preparedness: Children’s Health Issues Management Strategy
Finalists:
- Cisco Systems, Inc.: Connected Cisco – Recognition Challenge FY26
- CNA: Cardinal E&S Brand Launch
- Purdue University: Stranger Things Culture Campaign
- Sunward Federal Credit Union: Sunward Federal Credit Union - Banking Made Better
- Unisys: Benjamin Moore: Masterpiece of Cloud Innovation
Finalists:
- JPMorganPayments & Bully Pulpit International: JPMorganPayments 2025 Measurement Campaign
- Pacific Gas & Electric: Tying communications outputs to business outcomes to drive PG&E's PR strategy
- Unisys: The Intent Engine: How Unisys Used Data to Transform the Sales Cycle
Finalists:
- Aircover Communications
- Amp’d (a publicity division of Havas Formula): Din Tai Fung 25th Anniversary Always-On Media Relations PR Program
- Coriolis Company: House of Diggs by Marion Orr
- Coriolis Company: The Coroners Silence by Terence Keel
- Diffusion PR: Driving Trends in Pop Culture – Wattpad x Diffusion
- intersection: TOCCA Laila Launch
- KCSA Strategic Communications
- MKC Strategies: Ottobock Invisible Class Campaign: From Invisible to Visible
- Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board: Canadian Airlift to Nassau
- Padilla: Building Authority in Cell Therapy Through B2B Earned Media
- Pugh & Tiller: Brand Awareness Campaign for Dermatology Partners
- Rosica Communications: Britebound: Career Readiness for Brighter Futures
- Supreme Communications: An IPO Beyond Expectations
- The Hoffman Agency: Opening the Floodgates for Veeam Coverage
- The Hoffman Agency: Putting SANS on the (Media) Map
- The Hoffman Agency: Turning a Deleted Quote into Dual New York Times Placements
- Ubisoft: Teammates
- Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA): WMATA - The People Who Move the Region
Finalists:
- Genesis Inspiration Foundation: Where Healing Meets Creativity: California Rises and the Power of Youth Arts
- Genesis Motor America: Imagination to Innovation: Genesis and Child Creativity Lab Expand Access to STEAM Education in Under-Resourced Communities
- Jack Reid Foundation/TLG Communications: Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act
- Memorial Hermann Health System: Memorial Hermann Resolution
Finalists:
- Auto Care Association: Auto Care ON AIR
- Big Valley Marketing: Pressing Matters
- GR8_TECH: Bet It Drives
Finalists:
- Airlines for America: Modern Skies Campaign
- InnoVision Marketing Group: Herman Law Advocates for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Finalists:
- Bospar: Seeing RealSense
- Diffusion PR: Building Trust and Transparency Across Generations - Thorne x Diffusion 2025
- Evolve Public Relations & Marketing: Launching the Dorrance DOME: A New Era of Immersive Science in Arizona
Finalists:
- CCS Fundraising: 14th Edition Philanthropic Landscape
- Children's Health: Children’s Health Reimagines its “People Report” with Four Pillars, Rich Interactive Storytelling and Measurable Engagement Insights
- Cisco: Cisco FY25 Purpose Report
- FortisBC Energy Inc.: FortisBC's 2024 Sustainability Report
Finalists:
- Havas Formula: Red Lobster Reeling in a Comeback
- Philip Morris International: Progress Spotlight: Where Progress Meets Proof
Finalists:
- AGCO Corporation: Fendt’s Golden Moment: Elevating Agriculture at the White House
- ChristianaCare: Flu Heroes, Unite!
- Jive PR + Digital: Noon Year’s Eve: Asteroid Drop
- Matter: Segway goes full throttle into new terrain at CES
- University of Maryland: Creating Kermencment
Finalists:
- Acadia Pharmaceuticals: Acadia Pharmaceuticals Corporate Communications Team & the Making of a Biotech Powerhouse Leader
- Bospar: From Ghost to Guide: SHL's Resurrection
- Coriolis Company: House of Diggs by Marion Orr
- Coriolis Company: The Coroners Silence by Terence Keel
- Equitable: Equitable’s Voice-of-Customer Generational Planning Thought Leadership Engine
- FleishmanHillard and The White House Historical Association: Elevating the Voice of White House History for America 250 and Beyond
- ROI Communication: Strategic AI Blueprint: A Step-by-Step Roadmap for Communicators
- Transcarent: Lead the Way
Finalists:
- Airlines for America: Modern Skies Campaign
- Compassus: From Hospice to Space: Pam Harter
- Lantheus: Purpose in Motion: Using [Video] Patient Stories to Bring Find. Fight. Follow. to Life
- Lowe's Companies, Inc.: Chain Reaction
- Novartis: Dear Doctor
- Unisys: Benjamin Moore: Masterpiece of Cloud Innovation
Finalists:
- Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease: Rare Connections in gMG
- Alnylam: A Patient's AHP Journey In Motion
- Integral: Estee Lauder Company
- Novartis: Dear Doctor
- Spears Group: New Schools for New Orleans K20 Installation
- Stanford University: Every Plate Has a Story
AGENCIES OF THE YEAR
Finalists:
- 10Fold
- DKC
- EvolveMKD
- Farrynheight
- Green Flash Media
- HAVAS PR North America
- Intesa Communications Group
- Jackson Spalding
- KCSA Strategic Communications
- Kite Hill
- Krupp Agency
- Landis Communications Inc.
- Moore, Inc.
- Narrative Strategies
- Ruder Finn
- SourceCode Communications
- The Abbi Agency
- The Hoffman Agency
INDIVIDUALS & TEAMS
Finalists:
- Michelle Curran: Cloudera
- Victor De Vita: BPCM
- Abigail Drapeau: Wolverine Worldwide
- Megan Driscoll: EvolveMKD
- Janae Headly: Prove It Media
- Kristin Komar: Uber
- Jarno Oostingh: Nebo
- Taylor Osumi: Dreamday
- Natalia Rodrigues: Carnival Cruise Line
- Gillian Sheldon: Napster
- Meredith Shue: Ernst & Young LLP (EY US)
- Rachel Spielman: Ruder Finn
- Fernando Vivanco: Marelli
- Stephanie Wallace: Nebo
Finalists:
- Kelly Hiller: Purdue University
- Bryan Madden: AMD
- Shweta Ponnappa: Providence
- Mary Wells: Cloudera
Finalists:
- Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line Communications Team
- CNA: Cardinal E&S Brand Launch
- Dreamday
- Macon-Bibb County: Office of Communications
- The Agency: The Agency Global PR Team
- Wolverine Worldwide: The Agency // PR Team
Rising Stars
Honorable Mentions
Akanksha Adlakha
Napster
Olivia Clarke
Nebo
Honorable Mentions
Olivia Clarke
Nebo
Jaliah Robinson
Integral
Honorable Mentions
Jaliah Robinson
Integral
Max Spielman
Ruder Finn
Honorable Mentions
Max Spielman
Ruder Finn
Seating is limited, reserve your spot today!
A limited number of tables of 10 are available, along with individual tickets.
BEST OPTION
Table of 10
$9,699 per table
Includes:
- 10 reserved seats for your colleagues and team
- Priority seating at the front of the room
- Networking reception
- 3 course meal
- Awards ceremony
- Crystal award to commemorate your recognition
- Discounted rates for ad purchases in the program guide
- 2 bottles of champagne
- Photo opportunities with your colleagues, team and industry peers
Individual Tickets
$675 Per Person
Includes:
- Networking reception
- 3 course meal
- Awards ceremony
- Crystal award to commemorate your recognition
- Photo opportunities with your industry peers
If you have any questions or need help registering, please contact Barbara Kanady at [email protected].
LOCATION
THE EDISON BALLROOM
240 W 47TH ST
NEW YORK, NY 10036
DON’T MISS ALL THE GREAT THINGS TO DO WHILE YOU ARE HERE!
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Morgan Einspanier at [email protected].
