Office of Communications Records, 1994-2002

Sub-Series

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The records of the Office of Communications include subject files, among which are Media Advisories, Press Briefings, Press Clippings, and Press Releases. Also included are video recordings made or collected by the Office. The latter are divided into two groups, one comprising standard-size VHS/BETA tapes and the other comprising larger format recordings. Each group is arranged in numerical order by tape numbers assigned by archives staff (the arrangement tends to also be alphabetical, but multiple "titles" on many tapes have the effect of obscuring that order). The recordings include tapes of Mayor Morial's two programs that aired on public and community access television: Building New Orleans Together and New Direction. The remaining tapes have diverse origins. Some are recordings made by Office of Communications staff (or contracted professionals) of City-sponsored events, press conferences, interviews of individuals (for use in the Mayor's television programs), etc. Others are tapes of programs or events either purchased from their producers/sponsors or recorded off the air. Some tapes appear to have been used, erased, and reused--and labels changed--one or more times. As a result, actual contents of several tapes may vary from what is listed in our inventory.

Dates

Other: 1994-2002

Creator

From the Collection: Morial, Marc H. (Marc Haydel) (1958-01-03) (Person)
From the Collection: Office of the Mayor (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Available to registered researchers by appointment.

Requesting Materials

Materials Request Guidelines

Biographical / Historical

The Office of Communications sought to improve the image of local government and increase public confidence in governmental policies through accurate and consistent messaging regarding services & operations, initiatives, and programs. It assisted in the accomplishment of the City's mission in several ways:

By developing long and short term media strategies to provide public awareness of government initiatives, policies, and programs By planning and executing the promotion of City events and activities which generate the support of citizens, businesses, and community organizations By enhancing the City's national image to increase opportunities for economic development, tourism, education, and federal funding By effectively managing media coverage of City programs and operations to insure positive and consistent messages Communications was formerly under the umbrella of the Division of Intergovernmental Relations; it was transferred to the Division of Federal and State Programs and Mayor’s Office Administration in 2000.