The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA-NY) last night announced Joe Cohen, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at AXIS as the winner of the Harold Burson Award, sponsored by BCW at the 2021 Big Apple Awards gala at the Edison Ballroom.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210929005376/en/

PRSA-NY/2021 Harold Burson Award Sponsored by BCW (Graphic: Business Wire)

The Harold Burson Award, sponsored by BCW, recognizes excellence in communications leadership by a non-agency practitioner: someone whose public persona, personal brand, and professional accomplishments encapsulate the values that BCW brings to its client engagements and those which comport with the industry’s leading practices, including an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity.

Joe was recognized for his best-in-class approach to communicating with precision, conviction and transparency. As Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at AXIS, Joe leads the company’s global in-house marketing and communications team. He is responsible for guiding brand reputation, marketing and advertising, digital, financial communications, and internal/change management communications, and is a member of the Company's Strategy Office, Digital Transformation Office, and its Corporate Citizenship Steering Committee.

The award was presented by Sabrina Browne, Vice President, Corporate at BCW and Vice President, Marketing at PRSA-NY. “I was honored to represent BCW and announce the recipient for the first-ever Harold Burson Award,” said Browne. “Harold’s contributions to PR are unmatched, while his commitment to mentoring young professionals and diversifying the industry continue to move us forward each day.”

A committee of PRSA-NY members collaborated with BCW to select the Harold Burson Award recipient. The recognition is PRSA-NY’s first and only individual award dedicated to a non-agency practitioner for excellence in communications.

Prior to joining AXIS, Joe served for two years as Senior Vice President, Communications at KIND Healthy Snacks. Previously, he spent 15 years at MWW, where he rose to become a senior leader in the agency’s brand marketing and corporate communications practices. Joe has received numerous industry honors and awards including the PRWeek Awards “Outstanding In-House Team” (AXIS); PRWeek Global Power Book; “PR Team Leader of the Year" at the PR News PR People Awards and inclusion in PRWeek’s “40 Under 40.”

“The Harold Burson Award is important in recognizing the role of a non-agency practitioner in helping to advance public relations and bring to life creative campaigns and executions,” said Andrew Graham, President of PRSA-NY. “Collaboration is at the heart of any successful agency and client partnership, and I could not think of a more qualified recipient than Joe, who has played a key role in championing communications at AXIS and advancing inclusion across the public relations industry.”

For more information about PRSA-NY’s upcoming events, mentorship program, jobs boards, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship opportunities, and for membership details, go to prsany.org.

2021 BIG APPLE AWARDS HAROLD BURSON AWARD, SPONSORED BY BCW

Joe Cohen,

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, AXIS

Joe Cohen serves as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at AXIS (NYSE: AXS), a global provider of specialty insurance and reinsurance with a presence that spans North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Bermuda. Mr. Cohen leads the Company’s global in-house marketing and communications team. He is responsible for guiding brand reputation, marketing and advertising, digital, financial communications, and internal/change management communications. Mr. Cohen is a member of the Company's Strategy Office, Digital Transformation Office, and its Corporate Citizenship Steering Committee. In 2016, he joined AXIS as the Company’s Chief Communications Officer, where he led global external and internal communications.

Prior to joining AXIS, Mr. Cohen served for two years as SVP of Communications for KIND Healthy Snacks. Previously, he spent 15 years at MWW where he rose to become a senior leader in the agency’s brand marketing and corporate communications practices. Mr. Cohen has received numerous industry honors and awards including the PRWeek Awards “Outstanding In-House Team” (AXIS); PRWeek Global Power Book; “PR Team Leader of the Year" at the PR News PR People Awards and inclusion in PRWeek’s “40 Under 40.” He is a past National Chair of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the largest member association for the communications profession. Mr. Cohen is also Past President of the PRSA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion in the communications industry.

ABOUT PRSA-NY

The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent public relations Chapters in the country. Located in the media capital of the world, it offers top-level professional development, networking, mentoring, and awards. PRSA-NY serves communications professionals in agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as independent practitioners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210929005376/en/