Mayor Booker Announces Departure of Communications Director Desiree Peterkin Bell 
Mayor Cory A. Booker has announced that Communications Director, Desiree Peterkin Bell will be leaving the Booker Administration after serving the Administration and the city's residents for four years, to become the new Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships for Mayor Michael Nutter in the City of Philadelphia.
In the interim, Office of Communications Chief of Staff Anne Torres will serve as the Acting Communications Director.
"We are bidding farewell to one of the most dedicated and hard-working members of the Newark municipal team," Mayor Booker said. "During her time with us, Desiree restructured the City's Public Information Office to be more responsive, effective and innovative. 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," said Mayor Booker.
Desiree Peterkin Bell has served as Director of Communications for the City of Newark since July 2006. Working closely with Mayor Booker and Department Directors, Peterkin Bell has created a multi-prong strategic communications office to connect and communicate with major stakeholders. During the past four years, Bell restructured the City's Public Information Office from primarily fielding constituent inquiries to being a proactive media relations office.
Under the leadership of Director Bell, the Communications Office has produced various media and public events; been recognized as the "Best Public Information Office in the State of New Jersey"; built and launched the City's first municipal television studio; developed an award winning radio show entitled, "Newark Today" on Newark's own WBGO 88.3 FM; produced thousands of collateral materials and developed relationships with national, regional and local media. In 2008, Director Bell was recognized by PR Week for their 40 under 40 profile and PR Week magazine also highlighted the Office of Communications as a model for municipal communications.
In addition, the Office of Communications enhanced existing assets like the City of Newark's website, to highlight a diversity of resources, programs and initiatives to greater inform Newark's residents and stakeholders. As a result of her leadership, top-tier media outlets like, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, and O magazine; have focused on the City of Newark and Mayor Booker.
The New Jersey Film Commission has also recognized the Office of Communications for working to make Newark the number one location in the State for filming movies, TV shows, documentaries, and commercials. This includes the Office's work with film production companies like that of "Cadillac Records," a major motion picture filmed in 2008, which starred Beyoncé Knowles and Adrien Brody.
"Working with the Booker Administration and the Newark municipal team has been a great honor. It has also been a privilege to work with a team of communications professionals who commit 110 percent every day to get the job done. During the past four years, we have built a proactive media office and laid the groundwork for effective communications. I am excited about serving the Nutter Administration and the people of the City of Philadelphia," said Director Bell.
"I am pleased to welcome Desiree Peterkin Bell as the Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships to the City of Philadelphia and to my Administration. She brings with her a wealth of experience, talent and ideas. We are fortunate to have her as a key player on our team. Her work for Mayor Booker has been exemplary and I look forward to her joining us in a few short weeks," said Mayor Nutter.
"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," Mayor Booker said.
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