City of Houston Mayor's Office of Communications 

Mayor Sylvester Turner

Welcome to the Mayor’s Office of Communications. This office works to advance the priorities and accomplishments of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Administration and promote transparent, timely, and accurate information to the media and public to help them better understand their municipal government.

The Mayor’s Office of Communications oversees external communications and strategic messaging for Mayor Turner.

It guides each City of Houston department and office to ensure alignment with the administration and enhance communications with the citizens of Houston.

The office distributes news releases, records video messages, and maintains several social media platforms.

The office also processes ceremonial documents and provides responsive documents on time in compliance with the Texas Public Information Act.


Mary Benton
Director of Communications
901 Bagby
Houston, TX 77002
PHONE: 832.393.0830 M: 713.208.6229

Office of Communications Key Areas chevron_right

Media Inquiries
To ensure a timely response to your deadline, we request that all media inquiries be sent to the following individuals. 

Mary Benton
Director of Communications
Office: 832.393.0830
Mobile: 713.208.6229
Mary.Benton@houstontx.gov

Deidrea George
Press Secretary
Office: 832.393.0800
Mobile: 832.763.6972
Deidrea.George@houstontx.gov

Digital Communications and Social Media
The Mayor's Office of Communications shares the mayor’s announcements and priorities via social media channels such as& Facebook, Twitter, Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok, and YouTube..

HTV

The Houston Municipal Channel 16 provides coverage of City of Houston council meetings, committee meetings and events led by Mayor Turner, City Council and department directors.
There are several ways to watch on the following cable systems:
Comcast (Ch. 16)
Phonoscope (Ch. 73 & 99)
Suddenlink (Ch. 14)
AT&T U-verse (Ch. 99)

Ceremonial Documents
The Mayor's Office of Communications creates proclamations, certificates and letters signed by the mayor to congratulate, honor or recognize a city of Houston resident or organization. Houstonians may request them through our office.  PHONE: 832.393.0802 or e-mail ceremonialdocs@houstontx.gov 
Full details on how you can obtain a ceremonial document.

Public Information Requests
The Texas Public Information Act (the "TPIA") gives the public the right to request access to government information. Requests for information maintained by the Office of the Mayor may be made in writing or electronically at the following locations:
Javelle Johnson
Mary Benton
Mayor's Communications Office
City Hall
901 Bagby, 2nd Floor
Houston, TX 77002
832.393.0830
(FAX) 832.393.0800
Submit request via online records portal
mayorscommunications@houstontx.gov
For more information on public information requests with the City of Houston, please click here.

Video Messages
Video messages are reserved for individuals, organizations and events that positively contribute to the economic, social and/or cultural fabric of the City of Houston. https://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/video-message-request.html.

Scheduling Requests
All non-media scheduling requests for Mayor Turner should be submitted through the Scheduling Office's portal available at https://www.houstontx.gov/myrscheduling/.

Press Releases chevron_right

City Seal

Mayor Sylvester Turner's Statement on the State Takeover of HISD

I have been very straightforward in my position that the state takeover of HISD is not in the best interest of the students and staff of HISD. Even with the announcement of a Superintendent and Board of Managers, most of whom I do not know, my position has not changed. ...

06.01.2023

Third Make Music Day

Mayor Sylvester Turner Announces Third Make Music Day Celebration in Houston

Mayor Sylvester Turner encourages Houstonians to participate in the annual Make Music Day (MMD) in Houston again this year. This day-long celebration takes place on Tuesday, June 21st, the longest day of the year - the summer solstice. ...

06.01.2023

Gun Buyback Press Conference

Getting Unwanted Guns Off the Street; City and County Announce Date of Next Gun Buyback

Mayor Sylvester Turner joined Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Houston Police Chief Troy Finner today to announce the date of the next gun buyback. ...

05.30.2023

Videos chevron_right

In the News chevron_right

Mayor Turner on the Runway

Houston mayor rips the runway walking in fashion show for Earth Day

Tyra Banks, MOVE OVER! This ‘Houston’s Next Top Model’ traded in his business suits for a 100% upcycled boilersuit in honor of Earth Day.

Clcik 2 Houston • 04.19.2023

Illegal Dumping

$17 million initiative aims at tackling illegal dumping program throughout Houston

It's an issue that continues to make headlines over and over again -- neighbors feeling frustrated by illegal dumping near their homes. On Wednesday, the city of Houston announced ...

ABC 13 • 03.29.2022

Mayor Turner at Conference Table

Q&A: Mayor Turner explains how a global network of 'resilient cities' helps Houston with hurricane prep

After Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston in 2017, Mayor Sylvester Turner wanted to take bolder action in the city's recovery and better prepare the community for future crises.

Houston Chronicle • 03.27.2023

CNN TEA Interview

CNN TEA Interview

Under the current superintendent and school board, significant progress has been made in HISD. Forty of 50 former D or F-rated schools are in a much better status today. The Texas Education Agency announced they will be taking over HISD as soon as June and replacing the current elected superintendent and board.

CNN • 03.18.2023

MOC Documents