City of Houston Mayor's Office of Communications 

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

›› March 13, 2024 -- Mayor Whitmire announces members of Independent Review Committee

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

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

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, and LinkedIn.

HTV

The Houston Municipal Channel 16 provides coverage of City of Houston council meetings, committee meetings and events led by Mayor Whitmire, 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
Public information requests with the City of Houston

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

Press Releases chevron_right

City Seal

City Hall Update for March 18-22, 2024

"It was an honor to welcome President Biden to Houston, a city full of great people and endless opportunities. My administration is committed to ongoing collaboration with the federal government to ensure Houston's property thrives," said Mayor Whitmire. ...

03.26.2024

Gwen Tillotson

Mayor Whitmire Appoints Veteran Leader as New Economic Development Officer

Mayor John Whitmire announced today that he is appointing Gwendolyn Tillotson-Bell as the City of Houston's Chief Economic Development Officer. She will be responsible for the administration and relationship management of all ...

03.26.2024

City of Houston Seal

Houston City Council Passes Tax Exemption for Child-Care Facilities

Today, Houston City Council passed an amendment to provide a tax exemption for qualifying child-care facilities as soon as the 2024 tax year. ...

03.20.2024

Tour de Houston Logo

Tour de Houston Presented by Apache Corporation Adopts New Start and Finish at Discovery Green

This week, Mayor John Whitmire and the Apache CEO John Christmann, announced new details of Tour de Houston Presented by Apache Corporation, Sunday, April 7th. ...

03.15.2024