Meet That CRISTYNE…

Travel

Audio By Carbonatix

Hi there—I’m Cristyne L. Nicholas, and since March of 2021, I’ve had the joy (and let’s be honest, the quirky challenge) of keeping up with radio firecracker Kevin McCullough every Friday night at 7pm on Radio Night Live: Fun Friday on AM970 The Answer. When I’m not behind the mic, I’m at the helm of Nicholas & Lence Communications (NLC)—the strategic communications firm I proudly co-founded in 2007 with the always-brilliant George Lence. We specialize in public relations, destination marketing, crisis communications, and community relations—basically, telling the right story in just the right way.

After graduating from Rutgers (Go Scarlet Knights!), I got my start in Washington D.C. as a Capitol Hill Press Secretary. From there, it was back to New York, where I served as Communications Director for the Office of the Mayor, overseeing messaging for City Hall and 44 city agencies. A wild ride? Definitely. Worth it? Absolutely.

One of the roles closest to my heart was leading NYC’s tourism recovery post-9/11 as CEO of what’s now called NYC Tourism + Conventions. Rebuilding a $27 billion industry took teamwork and tenacity—but we did it. I helped launch NYC’s first-ever national TV ad campaign, rolled out the red carpet for the RNC, GRAMMYs, CMA Awards, the World Economic Forum, and the IOC, all while sending one loud, clear message: New York City is open for business.

I’ve traveled to 46 states, more than 35 countries, and I still get giddy every time I board a plane. In 2012, I was honored to be appointed Chair of the New York State Tourism Advisory Council. I also serve as Chairman of the 114-year-old Broadway Association (cue the curtain rise), sit on the Steering Committee for the Association for a Better New York (ABNY), and am a proud member of the Women’s Forum.

Tourism, storytelling, and NYC? That’s my sweet spot. And yes, I believe every Friday should be a Fun Friday.