Hey, we know this guy.
Credit Moments by Mel
Well, this sure is a fun one for the home team. Browardist co-founder and editor Jesse Scott has been named a finalist for Journalist of the Year at the 2026 Current Awards, Greater Fort Lauderdale's signature celebration of public relations, journalism and communications excellence.
Presented by the Public Relations Society of America's Greater Fort Lauderdale chapter, the Current Awards were formerly known as the Wizard Awards. The rebranding nods to Fort Lauderdale's waterways and the ever-changing currents of the communications industry.
Scott shares the Journalist of the Year finalist distinction with Dan Sweeney, deputy opinions editor at the South Florida Sun Sentinel, setting up a showdown between established voices in Broward's media scene. (Ahem, if Browardist may say so, Sweeney is a total rockstar and winner however this may play out.)
For those unfamiliar with Scott beyond Browardist, his journalism career spans more than two decades, with bylines in National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, AFAR, USA Today and Forbes. Locally, he's a South Florida correspondent for Forbes Travel Guide, a contributor to Miami New Times and a columnist for Aventura Magazine. He's also authored and co-authored numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks covering destinations from Florida and Washington, D.C. to Panama and beyond.
In October 2025, Scott and his wife, Lisa Martus, launched Browardist as a free, independent news platform dedicated to all things Broward County. Its signature newsletter, THE WEEKLY 954, arrives every Monday at 9:54 a.m., covering everything from restaurant openings and local happenings to community news and the occasional WTF-worthy discovery.
Scott has some familiar company among this year's finalists. Visit Lauderdale and the Jimmy Ryce Center are competing for Campaign of the Year, while the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Broward Sheriff's Office are finalists for Department of the Year. Ebony Tyre, Gabrielle Charles and Yvonne Garth are up for Communicator of the Year, with Garth Solutions Inc. and GOAT Social Media competing for Agency of the Year.
The winners will be announced Thursday, November 19, from 6 to 9 p.m., at Nova Southeastern University's Arena Club Room, 3301 College Ave. in Davie. The evening includes dinner, networking and the awards ceremony.
Tickets through November 15 cost $75 for PRSA members, $90 for nonmembers and $35 for students. Beginning November 16, prices increase to $100, $115 and $50, respectively.
