Winners in each category of the Big Apple Awards are eligible to receive the "Best Use of Research, Measurement and Evaluation Award" presented by the Institute for Public Relations. This distinction recognizes standout efforts in the public relations programs that integrate research, measurement and evaluation into practitioners' professional work.

"As important as creativity is in public relations, there is also real science to what we do," says Frank Ovaitt, president and CEO, Institute for Public Relations.

The Big Apple Awards, presented by the New York Chapter of PRSA, honor outstanding public relations programs that have achieved excellence by creating campaigns that solve problems, change opinions and create opportunities.