News Press

Kimberly Spell Joins the Partnership for New York City As Executive Vice President of Communications

May 29, 2014

The Partnership for New York City today announced the hiring of Kimberly Spell as Executive Vice President of Communications. In this role, Kimberly will oversee internal corporate communications, external media affairs, and strategic marketing.

“Kimberly brings deep knowledge of the city and has made a huge contribution to building its global brand. Her understanding of how to build and maintain effective public-private partnerships will be invaluable to our work,” said Partnership for New York City President and CEO Kathryn Wylde.

Kimberly Spell has two decades of experience in crisis communications, brand positioning and public service and most recently served as the Chief Communications Officer for NYC & Company, the official marketing and tourism agency for New York City (www.nycgo.com), since 2006. Based in New York, Kimberly led a team of press and external affairs offices in 17 countries serving 25 international markets on behalf of the City’s $33 billion tourism industry. Her responsibilities included: shaping the image and brand of New York City as an attractive tourist destination, creating and executing global press events, and building and maintaining relationships with elected officials locally, nationally and internationally. She also created and nurtured City partnerships with other destinations such as London, Seoul, Sao Paulo, Amsterdam, LA, Miami and Chicago.

“The Partnership for New York City is one of the most respected organizations in the City with a rich history,” said Kimberly Spell, Executive Vice President for Communications. “The Partnership’s role in advancing economic opportunity, protecting the brand positioning of New York City as the global business capital, and encouraging dialogue between our elected officials and the private sector is important work on behalf of millions of New Yorkers.”

Prior to NYC & Company, Kimberly served as Vice President, Communications & Government Affairs for the country’s first-ever municipal marketing agency NYC Marketing Development Corporation. She also ran a New York-based communications firm with high profile clients in politics, entertainment and environmental causes.

Before New York City, Kimberly spent a nearly decade in public service and presidential politics including as Deputy Communications Director for Vice President Al Gore. Kimberly studied Journalism at American University in Washington, D.C. and she earned her BA from Meredith College in Communications and Political Science.