Nutter Nabs New Communications Director From Newark
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Nutter Nabs New Communications Director From Newark
Catherine Lucey
Note: This post has been updated to reflect that Bell's title will be Communications Director, not Press Secretary. The administration is still looking for a replacement for Press Secretary Doug Oliver, who is leaving his post next month.
Here's the release:
MAYOR NUTTER ANNOUNCES DESIREE PETERKIN BELL AS DIRECTOR OF
COMMUNICATIONS AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Philadelphia, August 26, 2010 – Today, Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced that Desiree Peterkin Bell has been appointed as Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships for the Mayor’s Office. In her position, Ms. Bell will be responsible for the long term planning and oversight of the Mayor’s communications strategy and will work closely with the Mayor and top Administration officials as a senior advisor.
“I am thrilled to welcome Desiree to this Administration,” said Mayor Nutter. “She brings with her a wealth of knowledge from all levels of government and has proven talents communicating innovatively, effectively and directly to citizens. She will play an integral and strategic role in my Administration, and she is an ideal candidate to lead our communication office.”
“I am excited about joining Mayor Nutter and his Administration to serve the citizens of Philadelphia. I look forward to working together with constituents inside and outside of City Hall to ensure that strategic partnerships and effective communications are assets for, and deliver value to, what I believe is one of America’s greatest cities,” said Ms. Bell.
Ms. Bell had served as Director of Communications for Mayor Corey A. Booker in Newark, NJ. In her capacity, she created and managed a multi-pronged communications strategy including citizen outreach campaigns, new media and the launch of Newark’s first municipal television studio.
“During her time with us, Desiree restructured the City’s Public Information Office to be more responsive, effective and innovative,” said Mayor Booker. “Her creativity and commitment to redefine how municipal government communicates to better inform residents has been invaluable. I wish her all the best as she continues her public service career in the Nutter Administration. Desiree leaves us with a tremendous legacy of achievement. I thank her for her service, commitment and counsel. She was a significant member of my team and will be missed.”
Before joining Mayor Booker’s office, she worked as Senior Director and Vice President of Government Affairs at the New York City Marketing Development Corporation. She was also the Supervising Legislative Representative for the City of New York under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Ms. Bell’s appointment is effective Monday, September 20, 2010. Her salary will be $150,000, which is subject to a five percent salary reduction.
Nutter hires another staff member from another city. What a way to tackle the unemployment problem in PHILADELPHIA.— anti-tax- "to ensure that strategic partnerships and effective communications are assets for, and deliver value to"... WHAT???? Someone please breakdown this mumbo jumbo!— SickofPhilly
- She probably read about the DROP program and sought out this job. Work for 6 months, announce you are leaving, pension in a lump sum, benefits for life. Another entitled employee of Philly.— JoeC.
- Another $300,000. employee?— michael o
- sounds like a lateral transfer...from one third rate city to another. I thought Nutty emposed a hiring freeze of city employees?— SickofPhilly
- Speaking of communications and research JoeC. you need to have your facts right before you put them out to the public. There is no City Employee who has or ever had life time benefits. SickofPhilly you have your facts right.— spider1776
- Good. I hope Ms. Bell brings with her some of the excellent leadership skills of Mayor Booker. He is one this country's few great leaders right now and he has been turning Newark around for the best. TAKE NOTE MAYOR NUTTER. You can learn a thing or two from this young buck, and I say that as someone who voted for you.— the wza
- Nutter couldn't find someone locally for this job??? Way to set an example for other employers.— Laney
- WATCH her first hire will be a PR person for her department so she does not have to talk to the press or people of the city.— DennisR
- Where do they find these people? Is there a rotation system that requires recycling the retreads?— junethe4th
- Here's a novel thought, how about the best person for the job. Ms. Bell worked with Corey Booker, NYC mayor Bloomberg, graduated from Swarthmore College. Sounds qualified to me nay sayers.— shutthefrontdoor
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David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics – which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
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Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans. E-mail tips to ransomj@phillynews.com
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Sean Collins Walsh is from Bucks County and went to Northwestern University. He joined the Daily News copy desk in 2012 and now covers the Nutter administration. Before that, he interned at papers including The New York Times, The Dallas Morning News and The Seattle Times. E-mail tips to walshSE@phillynews.com
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