The PR Net announces the return of The PR Net Next Gen Awards, an international awards program that celebrates agency excellence. The program champions new thinkers, innovators, and groundbreakers across marketing and communications who are shaping the future of the industry.
The awards highlight the achievements of newer agencies, recognizing firms that deliver impactful work, cultivate inclusive cultures, and advance the craft through innovation and strong client portfolios.
Submissions open at 10am Eastern Time on Thursday, October 16, 2025. Eligible agencies will have been in business for up to and including eight years. Submissions close at 6pm Eastern Time on Friday, November 21, 2025.
Entries are reviewed by a committee of esteemed industry leaders. Evaluations consider innovation, creative thinking, business acumen, and growth. Honors include Next Gen Agency of the Year along with category and campaign recognitions. Honorees will be celebrated at a cocktail event in New York City in February 2026.
2026 Judging Committee
Brandon Grant-Walker, VP, Content Marketing and Brand Development, Simon & Schuster
Elizabeth Delhagen, Head of Communications and Events, Samsung
Gigi García Russo, Chief Transformation Officer, Hunter PR
Jakob Hesketh, Head of Communications, US, Neko Health
Christine Su, Co-founder, The Lede Company
Pegi Amarteifio, SVP, Global PR and Communications, Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Michaella Solar-March, Chief Marketing Officer, Two Trees
Dara Busch, CEO, Havas
Who can enter
Entry is open to agencies operating with two or more team members. To be eligible this cycle, the agency must have been founded after Thursday, October 16, 2017.
Submission question
What are the most significant ways your agency has grown, created impact, and contributed to the communications industry, both throughout your journey and over the past 12 months?
Please provide an overview, maximum 800 words, highlighting your agency’s key achievements since its founding, with particular emphasis on the past 12 months.
You may wish to include notable accomplishments for clients, standout campaigns or projects and their outcomes, significant milestones in agency growth such as team expansion or new service offerings, and examples of innovation or contributions to the evolution of the communications industry. You are also welcome to share details of any awards, industry recognition or media features, as well as thought leadership such as speaking engagements, published work or podcasts. Additionally, we encourage you to reflect on social impact initiatives, both internal and external, and highlight any efforts that strengthened your internal culture or supported professional development.
Where possible, please bolster your response with facts, figures, or concise case study examples that illustrate the results and impact of your work.
Judging criteria
Creative thinking and problem solving that meet client needs
Client retention and notable new business wins
Innovation and measurable impact across campaigns
Contributions to diversity and inclusion
Key dates
Entry deadline, 6pm Eastern Time, Friday, November 21, 2025
Cocktail celebration, February 2026, New York City, NY, USA
Entry price
299 dollars per entry. One entry per agency.
Questions
For submission questions or help, please contact
nextgen@theprnet.com
