ABOUT NLC
Global Reach. Local Expertise.
In 2007, Cristyne Nicholas and George Lence co-founded Nicholas & Lence Communications, building a successful award-winning, multi-platform firm to increase visibility and ROI for a diverse roster of clients. Nicholas & Lence Communications specializes in media relations, government & community affairs, crisis management, destination marketing and corporate positioning and has earned spots in New York Observer‘s “The 50 Most Powerful Public Relations Firms in America” and City & State New York’s “Political PR and Lobbying Power 50”.
Cristyne Nicholas, CEO
Cristyne Nicholas, CEO
Cristyne Nicholas, CEO with George Lence, founded Nicholas & Lence Communications in 2007. Known for rebuilding NYC’s $27 billion dollar tourism industry following the tragic events of September 11th , she launched the City’s first consumer TV advertising campaign, patriotic tourism initiatives such as Paint the Town Red White & Blue and recruited major events such as The World Economic Forum, The Grammy Awards, RNC 2004, Country Music Awards, and Super Bowl XLVIII.
Cristyne began marketing the City in 1994, serving as City Hall press secretary and later, communications director, overseeing press operations for all city agencies. Upon graduating from Rutgers, her career path began as a campaign aide to US Senator Bill Bradley (NJ), press secretary to US Representative Helen Bentley (MD), and President George H.W. Bush’s campaign press secretary for NY & NJ.
Cristyne was named 40 under 40 by Crain’s New York Business, Top 100 Women by City & State New York, Top 25 People in travel by Travel Magazine, and one of 10 most influential people in the travel industry by Meetings and Incentive Magazine. In 2012, Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed her as Chair of the State’s Tourism Advisory Council. She serves as the Chairman of the Broadway Association and is on the Steering Committee the Association for a Better New York.
“It’s not what you expect, but what you inspect.”
George Lence, President
George Lence, President
George Lence, President of Nicholas & Lence Communications, has decades of public affairs and legal experience. Chosen as one of New York’s Responsible 100 outstanding corporate citizens, Westchester Power 100 and PR Power 50, George directs government & community affairs efforts on behalf of clients such as Statue City Cruises, NYC Ferry, Gray Line CitySightseeing, Lincoln Square BID, Broadway Association, Times Square Alliance, Times Square Advertising Coalition and the NY Coalition of Code Consultants. Before forming Nicholas & Lence, George served for six years as Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel at NYC & Company, NYC’s official tourism marketing & promotion organization.
George served as Special Counsel to the President and VP of Government Affairs for the Partnership for NYC, Chief Counsel to Senator Roy M. Goodman and the Senate Committees on Investigations & Taxation and Arts and Cultural Affairs, and Deputy General Counsel to the NYC Economic Development Corporation. George also served as Deputy Director of State Legislative Affairs under Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani.
George is the long-time President of Government Affairs Professionals and is a board member of The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, the Broadway Association, and The Lower Manhattan Marketing Association. He also serves as Vice Chairman & Executive Committee Member of the Business Council of Westchester, chairing its Government Action Council. George received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan and his J.D. degree from St. John’s University School of Law.
Shin-Jung Hong, Senior Vice President of Public Relations
Shin-Jung Hong, Senior Vice President of Public Relations
Shin-Jung Hong, Senior Vice President of Public Relations, joined NLC in February 2013. Managing the agency’s PR team, Shin-Jung creates and drives award-winning PR press campaigns for a diverse range of clients in travel & tourism, food & beverage, entertainment and live theatre, not-for-profits, annual events, and more. Shin-Jung has garnered impactful press coverage in local, national, and international outlets in all verticals including broadcast, online/digital, print media, and social media influencers.
Prior to NLC, she was a Senior Account Executive at Hawkins International PR, where she spearheaded media relations for the agency’s marquee client, Dorchester Collection, and its portfolio of five-star luxury hotels around the globe, as well as Lungarno Collection in Italy, Kiawah Island and XV Beacon in Boston.
Prior to HIPR, Shin-Jung was an Account Manager at ConranPR, where she worked directly with the agency’s Founder on award-winning PR campaigns for the Lake Geneva Region in Switzerland and luxury boutique hotels in St. Lucia. She began her career at Lou Hammond & Associates, working on the agency’s largest accounts at the time, Bermuda Department of Tourism and Great Wolf Resorts nationwide.
Shin-Jung received a B.A. from Hamilton College, double majoring in English and French literature. She has traveled to six continents and over 30 countries (and counting), living in New York City, Paris and Cambridge, MA. When she is not hopping on her next flight, she can be found exploring the five boroughs of the greatest city in the world.