About LCG
Our Philosophy
In a democratic society, the people have a right to be heard. But, as we know, with so many voices clamoring for our attention and with power and resources unevenly distributed, everyone simply doesn’t get heard.
Here at LCG Communications, we try to level the playing field for progressive non-profits, cause and good government campaigns, labor unions, small businesses and activists. From environmental justice to workers’ rights, from housing and development issues to climate change, we can help you gain a competitive edge in the public debate. Even on a tight budget, we are able to give our clients wide access to the means to develop and change public opinion.
At a time when we can communicate instantly – look at how many people can’t take their eyes off their cell phones and tablets – the idea of public relations can appear more confusing than ever. We work closely with you to create a strategic integrated communications plan that is unique, understandable and achievable. We go way beyond the typical press conferences and press releases; at LCG, there are no templates.
Our Team
Linda Cronin-Gross
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Linda graduated from Queens College of the City University of New York and has been in the pr business for more than 30 years. For the past 15 years, she has been the president of her own firm, LCG Communications. She has spent most of her pr career in the non-profit sector, strategizing and implementing campaigns for progressive activist groups, and “cause” and good government campaigns. She also provided communications and media support for many progressive political campaigns from NY City Council to Congress.
She is a sought after lecturer and teacher and has lead classes in media and media training for labor unions, grassroots groups, funders, political candidates and elected officials. She has taught at Hunter College and Cornell University’s Union Leadership Program and is one of the original Huffington Post bloggers.
She has lived in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn for 32 years, and has two amazing children, Liam and Amanda and a granddaughter Madeline Olivia.
Sonya Landau,
Sonya Landau is an LCG Senior Account Executive. She graduated Bard College with a BA in Studio Arts. She now uses her creative skills to strategize, write pr material and realize visual components of LCG Communications’ various clients’ campaigns. A natural communicator, she often helps interpret concepts and translate them to suit different audiences. Sonya is an expert editor with an eye for detail. She has been an integral part of every LCG campaign for the last 3 years.
Sonya grew up in the Lower East Side and Tucson, AZ and currently resides in Flatbush, Brooklyn. She is fluent in Spanish and conversant in French. When she is not working in pr, she can often be found drawing, sculpting and creating custom jewelry.
Rick Knight Rick Knight Visual Identity & Photography
Rick Knight, LCG’s Social Media Manager and Art Director, boasts twenty five years as a creative, including art direction, graphic design, visual identity, printing, publishing, photography, and video.
Rick has been a guest lecturer at University of Washington and Buffalo State University, covering topics such as digital imaging typography. He specializes in graphic design, Photoshop, photo retouching, photo enhancing, video production, Macintosh software training, Macintosh consulting, iPhone training, and social networking for business.
Marco Kathuria, MKCREATIVE | media
Marco Kathuria is a university lecturer, community media instructor, and independent video producer. He works with the nonprofit sector in Washington DC and New York City.
Prior to establishing MKCREATIVE | media in 1998, Marco worked as a freelance producer at public television stations in New York City and Dallas, during which time he also co-owned a television production company, Mystery Trout Productions, Inc. Mystery Trout conceived and developed a number of cultural and music television pilots destined for the public television system.
Marco has won a number of video and television awards, including the USA Film Festival “Finalist” Award, USA INDIEfest Award of Excellence Award, Television, Internet & Video Association Peer Gold Award, Accolade Global Film Competition Award of Excellence, and two EMMA Awards.
Sonia Houston Pichardo
Our Director of Innovation, Sonia Houston Pichardo, is a graduate of Spelman College and received a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her academic career has included post-doctoral research at New York Medical College and teaching at Bronx Community College, Manhattan College and briefly at Columbia University. In addition, she has held the position of Communications Director for a non-profit business incubator and a Clinical Research Associate. She oversees the LCG innovation projects involving science, medicine and technology investments.
Our Policies
LCG is unique among pr firms: we don’t lock any of our clients into long-term contracts. Many of our clients have reported being “burned” by more traditional pr firms who promise work, don’t deliver, yet continue to get paid – so we decided early on that we’d forgo long term contracts. Instead, when a client agrees to our proposal, we make a deal: we serve the client as long as the client is happy. If, at any time, the client doesn’t like our service, they owe nothing except for work already done; the client can simply walk away. It’s also a testament to how good we think our service is; we’re so sure clients will be happy with us, that we are the only pr firm we know that is prepared to bet our future on it.
Client Testimonials
Here are some testimonials from clients, both past and present:
“LCG’s profound understanding of the issues that impact grassroots organizations, coupled with the kind of personal attention that one usually only dreams about makes LCG a public relations force to be reckoned with.”
– Majora Carter, President/CEO of the Majora Carter Group
“In terms of enabling us to make an impact with smart and effective media coverage, LCG has been consistently fabulous. Whatever the issues, from lead poisoning to predatory lending, our partnership with LCG has allowed us to win critical improvements for the residents of central Brooklyn.”
– Deb Howard, Executive Director, Pratt Area Community Council
“For the Municipal Art Society’s Planning center and Imagine NY Project, LCG Communications is a perfect match. They both understand and agree with our values – equity, justice, and participatory democracy. LCG offers extraordinary outreach to all the City’s media, from the large daily newspapers, networks and radio stations to the ethnic and foreign language media, to local community press.”
– Eva Hanhardt, Senior Advisor, Municipal Art Society