Hello, I’m Nyla McKenzie-Isaac,…
…a creative powerhouse and marketing architect behind how cities communicate, celebrate, and connect. From campaigns that go viral to public art that transforms space, I build stories that move people and strategies that make it last.
The Strategist Behind the Stories
As Albany’s first Director of Marketing, I redefined how city government tells its story, transforming creative work from an afterthought to a driving force across 22+ departments and offices.
Built Albany’s first integrated marketing ecosystem
Drove 55% growth in digital engagement
Produced viral campaigns reaching 500K+ views (Fun fact: Albany’s population is about 100,000 residents!)
Shaped a culture where storytelling and strategy fuel civic pride
Why Nyla?
Some creatives generate sparks. Nyla fans the flame.
I don’t just make things look good; I make them make sense. I step in where others stop, layering story into strategy and precision into every piece of the puzzle. From brand identity to event execution, from campaign messaging to creative production, I ensure every touchpoint aligns with your vision and amplifies your purpose.
Completion isn’t the aim. Unforgettable is.
When you sign on, you’re not just hiring help; you’re entering a partnership. One that sees your dream clearly, respects its purpose, and refuses to let it fall short of its potential. With my eyes on it, every detail aligns, every idea sharpens, and every brand steps into its highest form.
If I’m in, the vision is fully realized. If not, you’re still in the draft phase.
Areas of Expertise
The Nyla Effect.
Since September 2023, we reimagined the Mayor’s digital voice, pairing strategy, design, and storytelling to make civic news culturally shareable. The result: record reach and engagement across platforms, with multiple posts topping 500K–1M impressions.
From spark to finish.
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2025 State of the City
This wasn’t a podium. It was a stage. Instead of a routine political address, I transformed the Mayor’s State of the City into a cinematic, sensory experience, part address, part love letter, part community. The room pulsed with music, visuals, and storytelling. Community wasn’t just spoken about, it was seen. Archived footage, live moments, and Albany motifs blended into a narrative that felt intimate, human, and honest.
It blurred the line between government event and artistic production, inviting the audience to feel the city instead of just hearing about it. Formal became emotional. Political became personal. Policy became story.
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South End Connector
For years, South End residents lived just blocks from the Hudson River without safe or direct access to it. The South End Connector changes that by creating an accessible route from the neighborhood to the waterfront, connecting families to trails, green space, and recreational areas. It’s a project rooted in equity, health, and quality of life. My work focused on communicating its impact through visual storytelling and community-centered messaging, highlighting what this connection truly means for the people who will use it every day.
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Don't Look Up! Campaign
In advance of the 2024 solar eclipse, the City of Albany launched a bold, pop-culture inspired public-safety campaign: Don’t Look Up! (Without Protection). We reimagined the iconic movie poster for Don’t Look Up — turning its warning into a literal call to action: “Don’t look up… without your eclipse glasses.” Featuring Albany’s community leaders, city officials and residents wearing eclipse shades, the campaign translated a technical safety message into culturally relevant, visually striking content.
