Welcome 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.
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
Chief of Communications / Senior Advisor to the Mayor
901 Bagby
Houston, TX 77002
PHONE: 832.393.0830 M: 713.208.6229
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS KEY AREAS
Media Inquiries
To ensure a timely response to your deadline, we request that all media inquiries be sent to the following individuals.
Mary Benton
Chief of Communications / Senior Advisor to the Mayor
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: 832.393.0807 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:
Submit request via online records portal
Public information requests with the City of Houston
Elizabeth CP Weller M.A. (Primary)
Public Information Officer - MYR
Houston Mayor’s Office of Communications
City Hall 901 Bagby St, 2nd Floor, Houston TX 77002
O: (832) 393-0623
Mary Benton (Backup)
901 Bagby, 2nd Floor, Houston, TX 77002
Houston, TX 77002
(O) 832.393.0830
(FAX) 832.393.0800
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
The City of Houston Awards $131,600 to Projects Promoting Arts, Tourism and Disaster Resilience
The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) is awarding $131,600 in grants to 13 individuals and nonprofit organizations whose work furthers cultural tourism and resilience throughout the city of Houston. ...
02.14.2025
Mayor Whitmire Releases Results of Citywide Efficiency Study
Today, Mayor John Whitmire and his senior leadership team outlined the results of a citywide efficiency study focusing on the City of Houston's 22 municipal departments. The report highlighted findings that include non-compliant use of ...
02.12.2025
Roland Garcia Appointed Port of Houston Commissioner
Today, Mayor John Whitmire and Houston City Council voted to appoint Houston Attorney Roland Garcia to serve a two-year term as a Port Commissioner of the Port of Houston Authority. Active in the Houston community, Garcia serves as Vice Chair of ...
02.12.2025
Following a unanimous city council vote to confirm her appointment, Mayor John Whitmire swore in Judge Nelly Treviño Santos as the new Director and Presiding Judge of the City of Houston Municipal Courts Department ...
02.12.2025
MORE FROM THE MOC
Photo Galleries
- 01.13.2025 -- Ric Campo Reappointed Chairman of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority
- 09.17.2024 -- Mayor John Whitmire's 2024 State of the City Address
- 05.07.2024 -- Mayor Whitmire, METRO Celebrate Groundbreaking of Westheimer Paving Project
- 01.18.2024 -- Prioritizing Public Safety
- 01.15.2024 -- January Winter Storm