Founded in 1934 by the Press Club of Atlantic City, the National Headliner Awards program is one of the oldest and largest annual contests recognizing journalistic excellence.

The first National Headliner Awards were presented in 1935. Since then, more than 2,850 Headliner medallions have been presented to outstanding photographers, writers, daily newspapers, news syndicates, websites, radio and television stations, TV and radio networks and magazines.

Membership in the exclusive National Headliner Club is limited to individuals and organizations who have won Headliner medallions and to those men and women who serve as consultants and judges for the annual program. Many journalists have capped long and distinguished careers with a National Headliner Award, and each year the judges have recognized exceptional talent that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.