With more than a decade of public relations and political experience, Ann Newton has utilized her extensive knowledge and expertise in complex policy issues to create winning communications programs for municipal, corporate, non-profit, trade association, public agency, and political interests. Ann has designed and implemented public education and outreach programs, led statewide and regional coalition-building and outreach, developed strategic media relations programs for high-profile projects and managed a wide range of effective, customized communications programs for dozens of California-based clients.
She is experienced in managing projects from start to finish – from plan development through implementation and completion. Ann is adept at working with multi-disciplinary teams, including engineering firms, researchers, attorneys and other experts critical to project success. She has a strong background in infrastructure and public agency needs, complemented with a political background, having worked on more than a dozen statewide ballot measure campaigns. Between 2006 and 2018, Ann spearheaded coalition building and outreach for ballot measures including bond measures Proposition 68 – $4 billion parks, environment and water bond and Proposition 84 – $5.4 billion water bond, as well as statewide propositions on issues including tribal gaming compacts, redistricting, state parks and clean energy.
Ann has deep relationships throughout Southern California and Orange County, having worked with clients including the Orange County Water District, Southern California Water Coalition and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Other current public agency clients include West Basin Municipal Water District, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Additionally, Ann has led communications efforts for clients including Google, the California Association of Health Plans, Association of California Water Agencies, State Water Contractors, California State Parks Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, California Hospital Association and more.
Prior to launching Newton Public Affairs in 2018, Ann served as Senior Vice President at Fiona Hutton & Associates.