A Time of Celebration and Transformation

After three unforgettable days in Washington, D.C., it’s hard not to feel inspired about the future of our profession. ICON 2025, held Oct. 28-30 at the Washington Hilton, reminded me once again why this annual gathering means so much to the PRSA community. 

From Lauren Graham’s keynote on storytelling to the closing panel on politics, culture and communications, every moment reflected the passion and purpose that unite PR and comms pros.

A personal highlight was meeting and interviewing Anna Jo Bratton, the AP Stylebook editor, and Colleen Newvine, product manager for the AP Stylebook, along with our Managing Editor Amy Jacques. (The AP was also an ICON sponsor.) Amy and I have been AP Stylebook enthusiasts since our J-School days, so it was fun to nerd out with the people who work on it. Look for our upcoming interview on PRsay.

However, what resonated most were the conversations in the hallways and between sessions — moments when colleagues exchanged ideas and built connections that will last well beyond the conference. Watching students and new professionals interact with longtime members highlighted what makes PRSA unique: a genuine spirit of mentorship and a shared dedication to growth.

Strategies & Tactics Honored With Gold MarCom Award

That spirit of excellence and collaboration also shone through earlier this fall when Strategies & Tactics received a Gold MarCom Award for the second straight year in the Association Publications/Magazine category.

The honor recognizes our September 2024 issue, “PR’s Next Generation,” which explored how communicators are reshaping their work amid rapid technological innovation, workplace transformation and evolving leadership models.

As PRSA CEO Matt Marcial, CAE, noted in the announcement, “Strategies & Tactics continues to raise the bar for professional insight and relevance in our field… bringing fresh, timely perspectives to our members while maintaining the highest standards of journalistic excellence.”

This Gold Award marks PRSA’s fourth MarCom honor in three years, following two Platinum Awards in 2023 and a Gold in 2024 — a testament to the dedication and creativity of our contributors and editorial team, Managing Editor Amy Jacques and our freelance designer Erika Kendra. 

I’m thankful to everyone who writes for, reads and shares each issue of S&T. You are the reason this publication remains a vital source of ideas and inspiration.

Looking Ahead: Strategies & Tactics Goes Fully Digital in 2026

Now, as we celebrate this recognition, we also look ahead to a new chapter. Starting in January, Strategies & Tactics will switch to a fully digital format, continuing to provide the high-quality, actionable insights our members count on.

Along with the web edition, we will continue to provide a digital flipbook that replicates each issue’s paper layout, as well as printable PDFs for members who prefer offline reading. This change supports PRSA’s ongoing sustainability goals, accessibility and fiscal responsibility, ensuring that S&T stays strong and prepared for the future. 

Here’s to what’s next, and to the conversations, collaborations and creativity that will keep shaping Strategies & Tactics in the years ahead. 

Meanwhile, enjoy the upcoming holiday season. Wishing you all the best as we kick off 2026!