How Can Democrats Improve Campaign Messaging?

By New York One
November 14th, 2024

Political and Media Consultant Michael Oliva joins Errol Louis on New York 1 to discuss Long Island house races, the Democratic Party’s messaging and campaigning methods, and the recent Presidential Election. He offers his thoughts on how Democrats can improve their appeal to larger universes of voters.

See the full video on YouTube.

Sykes Global's Ronnie & Michael Oliva Named to PoliticsNY/AMNewYork's 2024 Power Players in Public Relations & Lobbying

By PoliticsNY & AMNewYork
September 25th, 2024

Known as a brilliant strategist and a street fighter, Michael Oliva has been a premier advisor in politics, business and public affairs for decades. With a keen focus on demographic targeting, he’s earned a strong reputation for electing prominent women to office. Michael is highly regarded for his stellar public relations strategies. His knack for achieving the unexpected keeps him high atop the list for aspiring individuals and organizations striving to make their historic mark.  As founding principal of Sykes Global Communications, Ronnie Oliva, has risen to the top of the proverbial call list for clients wishing to break through the cacophony of rapid and sustained informational stimulus and spin. Having successfully broken into a competitive, once male dominated field, she is one of the first women to start a political public relations firm in New York City.

Read more in PoliticsNY.

Kathy Hochul Is Trying to Prove Nancy Pelosi Wrong

By Errol Louis
September 20th, 2024

It’s important to remember that even building a kick-ass political machine won’t necessarily save Hochul. “I don’t think her legacy is necessarily marked by whether or not she wins congressional races. I’m not sure the average person thinks of it that way — it’s very insider stuff,” says Michael Oliva, a veteran campaign consultant based in Suffolk County. “The mistake Democrats keep making is that they prioritize campaign strategy and methodology above issues. They keep thinking, If we do outreach and knock on more doors and excite the base, we’ll be victorious, instead of saying, ‘Hey, what do people care about?’ Is it crime, or putting food on the table, or the education of their children?”

Read more in New York Magazine.

Down ballot, voters have voice for the bench, party politics


By Dan Rivoli
June 24th, 2024

“When you win a civil court seat, you could be sent to Criminal Court, you could be sent to Family Court,” Michael Oliva, a political consultant who has managed judicial campaigns, said. “You want somebody who is qualified to sit on the bench in all of those areas of law?”  He said it’s unfortunate that voters are typically uninterested in these races, particularly in a presidential year.  But they should — a name on the ballot today can become a name in the headlines tomorrow. Judge Arthur Engoron would know. He was the judge in former President Donald Trump’s Manhattan civil trial.  “He was on the scene, trying to become a judge, like so many people I worked with,” Oliva said. “You never thought in a million years he would be presiding over a case for the former president, which is amazing.”

Read more at New York 1.

N.Y. reconsidering adoption policies following controversial policy change reversal


By Bernadette Hogan
May 24th, 2024

Adoption policies in the state could be changed after a memo prompted an outcry by some would-be parents. New York’s Office of Children and Family Services came under fire after declaring a limit on a financial support that adoptive parents can provide to birth mothers. Although the decision was reversed, critics say they still want the state to better explain its policy. Now, experts say New York needs laws that are compatible with other states to ensure more kids get matched with homes. “When you eventually receive your child, which is your child, that is the most beautiful thing in the world and you’re meant to have that child,” Michael Oliva said.

Read more at New York 1.

Opinion: New York should not make adoption harder for our residents


By
Max Rose and Michael Oliva
February 17th, 2024

As it is for many couples, the ability to conceive is hard. A common reply they often hear is, “There are so many kids who need homes, why not just adopt?” What many people don’t understand is just how hard going through the adoption process usually is. Prospective adoptive parents routinely endure an expensive, onerous and highly regulated process. This leads them to be faced with feeling overwhelmed emotionally, physically and mentally. Financially, it is costly and many have to make major monetary decisions, whether that be tapping into a 401k, taking a high interest loan, or borrowing from family and friends. Sadly, after several years of trying, many give up on their dream of becoming parents.

Read more in City & State Magazine.

Sykes Global Communications Named to City & State's 2024 Political PR Power 75


By City & State

January 28th, 2024

The power couple of Ronnie and Michael Oliva lead Sykes Global Communications, which has delivered public relations and marketing services since its launch in 2007. Michael Oliva has a long career as a political and campaign consultant, while Ronnie Oliva is the founder of the firm.

Read more in City & State Magazine.

Sykes Global Communications Named to PoliticsNY & amNY Metro’s 2023 Power Players in Public Relations & Lobbying


By Lea Tomaswick & Isabel Parigi

Michael Oliva has been a premier advisor in politics, business and public affairs for decades. Named “Court Contest King” by NY Daily News, he’s consulted on dozens of judicial campaign victories. With a keen focus on demographic targeting, he has a hard-earned reputation for electing prominent women to office. Michael’s knack for achieving the unexpected has kept him high atop the list for insurgent candidates and aspiring organizations striving to make their mark on history.

Read more in PoliticsNY.

Sykes Global Communications Named to City & State's 2023 Political PR Power 50

Michael and Ronnie Oliva Named to PoliticsNY & amNY Metro’s 2022 Power Players Rising


By Lea Tomaswick

Ronnie Oliva is the leader of a sophisticated, savvy team that produces high-level, integrated public relations campaigns.  Her ability to bring the smartest and most talented people together for a common goal has sustained her company’s steady and consistent growth for over a decade, acting as a bridge between thought leaders, stakeholders and the media. A straight-shooter and hands-on strategist, Ronnie has over 20 years of experience in crisis assessment and management, strategic counseling, issue analysis, and media relations, making social accountability paramount in the overarching objectives of her work.

Read more in PoliticsNY.

Ronnie Oliva, Founder & CEO, Sykes Global Communications


By Nyasha Dafi & Mymoena Kalinisan-Davids`
February 1st, 2022

Ronnie Oliva was born in Manhattan, New York City. She describes herself as a true native of the city, claiming that she is afourth-generation New Yorker in her family.  Oliva grew up in the city, attending elementary, high school, and college in Brooklyn.  Her childhood was spent at her parents’ home in Brooklyn.  She attended Brooklyn College, State University of New York College at Old Westbury, and New York University.

Read more in Little Africa News.

Ronnie & Michael Oliva Named to City & State's 2022 Political PR Power 50


By City & State`
January 18th, 2022

In many ways, we are the ultimate boutique firm, because we continue to surprise year after year. We have opened up a division just for judicial races. We are currently in transition to refocus more on corporate clients with some political surprises, and our client roster is set to expand very soon. We are expanding from mostly city-centric to city, downstate and statewide. We are very proud of the great success of several of the remarkable women we represented this past year. Rosemarie Montalbano will be Kings County’s next surrogate court judge. Cordell Cleare will be Central Harlem’s state senator, and Council Member Adrienne Adams will be the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the New York City Council.

Read more in City & State NY.

Michael and Ronnie Oliva named to City & State's 2021 Political Consultants Power 75

By City & State
October 25th, 2021

The married duo of Ronnie and Michael Oliva run Sykes Global Communications, a firm that recently opened a division devoted to judicial candidates and worked with New York City Council Member Adrienne Adams – a leading candidate to be the next council speaker.

Read more in City & State.

How NY’s political couples are enduring the pandemic together

“You have to come to terms with the fact that there will be emotional overlap between your professional and private lives, and complete compartmentalization is unrealistic. … You have to be sensitive to the fact that the two worlds can often bleed into one another spiritually and psychologically, including their mutual and respective joys, frustrations, accomplishments, setbacks, successes and failures. … Recognizing this opens up your love and understanding of each other’s mindsets, and provides the necessary patience to move forward together successfully in both facets of your lives.”

Read more in City & State.

Ronnie & Michael Oliva Named to City & State's 2021 Political PR Power 50

“We opened a B&B in Stony Brook Village just as the lockdown began, which has allowed us to enjoy people free of politics. Our cottage is constantly booked since our guests occupy a private place amid the pandemic. We never discuss ideology with them. We focus on providing them the most enjoyable experience possible in this difficult time. We are exploring opening another cottage on the property in 2021.”

Read more in City & State.

Michael Oliva Named to City & State NY's 2020 Political Consultants Power 50

Michael Oliva and his wife, Ronnie Oliva, form the power couple behind Sykes Global Communications. The political consultant, who has a knack for winning judicial races, has consulted for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. He’s now working for Manhattan district attorney candidate Liz Crotty. His Manhattan firm also opened a Suffolk County office this year.

Read more in City & State.