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Release: Metropolitan Public Strategies announces hiring of LCA Daily News reporter Lovett.
NYSNYS News
Text of February 11 press release.


Dear Friend,

We've got some very exciting news that we wanted to share with you. After more than 30 years covering and breaking the news that has set the tone for the New York political landscape, Daily News Albany Chief Ken Lovett is joining the MPS team.

Fresh off one of our most successful years ever - leading successful political and issue-based campaigns in New York and Florida - MPS is continuing to build on our elite team with the strategic expertise of another battle-tested veteran.

As Vice President of Communications and Director of our new Albany office, Ken will bring with him a deep understanding and institutional knowledge of NY politics to help our clients reshape the playing field and gain a competitive advantage across their issue-based and political campaigns.

We couldn't be happier to have Ken on the team, and we're excited about our future together. Please read more below and make sure to follow us for the latest news at: @met_strategies
Politico NY - Daily News Albany Bureau Chief Heads To Political Consulting Firm
By Sally Goldenberg

Veteran Albany reporter Ken Lovett is joining a political consulting firm run by Neal Kwatra — an operative who has organized opposition to Airbnb, worked on Corey Johnson's run for City Council speaker and helped run Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 2014 reelection campaign.

Lovett said last week he would be leaving the New York Daily News, which he joined more than a decade ago, on Feb. 15.

He is the paper's Albany bureau chief and has covered the state capital for much of his career, which began at the Watertown Daily Times in 1988. He said he hasn't missed publishing his weekly Monday column in seven years, even when he was on vacation or recovering from tonsil surgery.

He will head Albany operations for Kwatra's firm, Metropolitan Public Strategies. His client list hasn't been determined yet, but he expects to work on immigration, the environment, and housing. He said he will focus on media strategy and developing issue-based campaign ideas. He has no immediate plans to lobby.

The New York Immigration Coalition, which is trying to secure driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants and ensure that they are counted in the 2020 census, is among Kwatra's clients.

New York Communities for Change and TenantsPAC, two organizations involved in a push to overhaul the state's rent laws this year, have also hired MPS.

Kwatra recently expanded into Florida and said he plans to grow his business in the Sunshine State.

Lovett is departing the Daily News at a time of new ownership, layoffs and tremendous staff turnover.

"All I've ever wanted to do is be a reporter. ... I always wanted to work for a New York City paper and I was lucky I got to work for two," he said, referring to his eight years at the New York Post as well as his tenure at the News. "To be able to do something new after 30 years of doing the same thing is also exciting."
Metropolitan Public Strategies
1677 Lexington Avenue, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10029​

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