The challenge
The New York Coalition for Open Government (NYCOG) is the state’s leading nonpartisan organization advocating for government transparency, focused on open meetings laws, freedom of information (FOIL), and public accountability. When I joined, the organization had limited statewide visibility, an outdated digital presence, and no systematic approach to earned media or legislative communications.
What I did
Earned Media Strategy: I designed and ran a statewide media relations program, building relationships with journalists and placing opinion pieces, press statements, and expert commentary across New York media markets. The goal was to make NYCOG the go-to source whenever government transparency was in the news.
Legislative Advocacy Communications: I worked with NYCOG’s executive and legal teams to develop messaging and public-facing materials supporting specific legislation, including bills on strengthening the Freedom of Information Law (A4429/S1063), open government procedures (A5357A/S58801A), and related reforms (A7933). I authored op-eds, drafted talking points, and coordinated communications around bill introductions and hearings.
Coalition Engagement: I built and managed strategic partnerships with organizations including Citizens Union, Common Cause, NYPIRG, Reinvent Albany, the Government Justice Center, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP), and the Legal Aid Society. That meant coordinating joint messaging, shared campaigns, and public events across the coalition.
Digital and SEO Overhaul: I rebuilt NYCOG’s web content strategy from the ground up, implementing SEO best practices and launching a new content plan designed to make the organization discoverable when New Yorkers search for information about their open government rights.
Public Education: I organized online and in-person educational sessions covering open meetings law, FOIL procedures, proper executive session practices, and how citizens can file Pro Se Article 78 lawsuits when government agencies violate transparency requirements.
Results
- 100+ earned media placements in a single year
- 270% increase in web traffic following the digital and SEO overhaul
- 2 transparency bills signed into law
- 7 additional bills passed at least one chamber of the New York State Legislature
- 38 counties reached through coordinated public engagement strategies
- 20+ coalition partners engaged in coordinated advocacy campaigns
- KPI-driven reporting implemented to measure message performance and audience engagement across all channels