Publisher’s note: Two decades – and counting – of innovative journalism

A little more than two decades ago, when I was strategizing with colleagues on starting a new political publication, I turned to Founding Editor Edward Isaac-Dovere and I said: “I only care about five people reading us: the governor, the mayor, the Assembly speaker, the state Senate leader and the City Council speaker. If they become loyal readers, everyone else will follow.”

Now, two decades later, City & State has become a must-read publication not just among the most powerful elected leaders in New York state, but also with all those who work in the public sector and all those in private industry whose jobs involve working with the government.

And what was once merely a monthly newspaper has now spawned a wide array of editorial products and platforms, as well as a busy live events calendar. City & State has pioneered what a thriving, innovative and constantly growing media and information company should look like.

After a few years establishing a colorful and entertaining print newspaper, we started producing events as well as a daily digital newsletter, First Read.

Each year, City & State has figured out ways to expand our coverage as well as the ways we can serve our hundreds of clients.

A decade ago we added a newsletter covering New York’s large nonprofit community. Events for that sector followed. We began doing custom events as well as Thought Leader dinners. We added Power Lists, ranking the political world by geography, demography and business sectors. In each case, our focus was on the ever-changing spectrum of political power.

This past year, we’ve added our first niche paid subscription newsletter, Heard Around Town, which in a short time has found an enthusiastic and loyal following. We’ve expanded to other states – Pennsylvania and Florida – with other states in the pipeline.

After 15 years of private ownership – predominantly by me and my former business partner Steve Farbman – City & State was sold at the end of 2020 to Government Executive Media Group, a Washington, D.C.-based media and information company that spun off from Atlantic Media that year.

Since then, City & State has almost tripled in size, a unique growth trajectory in an era where traditional media is shrinking.

Now, on our milestone 20th anniversary, City & State and I would like to thank our loyal readers, our dedicated clients and our smart, hardworking staff – present and past – for allowing us to celebrate this impressive juncture.

Here’s to 20 more years of award-winning journalism and innovative growth.

The best is yet to come.