Political reporter, public relations consultant Allan Katz rites set for Friday
ALLAN L. KATZ, a respected journalist and a public relations, political, and crisis management consultant, passed away peacefully with his family by his bedside, on December 12 at Ochsner Hospital. He was 84.
ALLAN L. KATZ
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Katz graduated from Tulane University and received a master’s degree from the University of Iowa in Journalism. His career started in Nyack, New York with IBM as a publicist. He eventually returned to New Orleans and worked briefly at Touro Infirmary in public relations before joining the Times Picayune-States Item in 1962 where he spent 27 years as a political reporter and was a featured columnist.
During his time with the newspaper, he was known for his keen political insight and was a professional mentor to many, covering the state legislature and local politics. Katz enjoyed a front-row seat to many noteworthy events in the city’s and state’s history and in particular covered the building of the Louisiana Superdome and the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition. He began covering what was colloquially called the Louisiana World’s Fair from its beginning in 1981 until its conclusion. The Exposition was the only similar event to declare bankruptcy during its run.
At the time of its disastrous end, he was quoted in an interview as saying “Fairs lose money. Their benefit is the creation of residuals that change land uses and land values in a positive way.” His prescient remarks foreshadowed the development of the riverfront and the Ernest Morial Convention Center. Because of the time he spent at the newspaper, he was a first-hand reporter during the terms of many of the city and state leaders who defined the period including Governor Edwin Edwards and Mayors Victor Schiro, Maurice “Moon” Landrieu, Ernest “Dutch” Morial and Sidney Barthelemy.
After his career at the newspaper, he went into private business as Allan L. Katz and Associates, which focused on public relations, political consulting, and crisis management. During this time, he worked with and developed strong friendships with many notable clients across the region including the New Orleans City Council, Orleans Parish School Board, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Harry Lee and Newell Norman and many others. He was also a close confidante of former Mayor Marc Morial.
Katz also enjoyed being a frequent commentator on WYES-TV’s “City Desk” program. Later, he hosted his own weekend TV show on the public TV station, “Louisiana Newsmakers,” which focused predominately on local politics. His best friend, the late Maurice “Hippo” Katz (no relation), a maven on politics, was a frequent guest on that WYES-TV show. Their political discussions and observations always made for compelling and engaging television. He also enjoyed serving as a local radio talk show host. Katz’s love and understanding of politics also extended to being a presenter for the Institute of Politics at Loyola and as a local analyst during local elections.
Katz greatly enjoyed giving back to causes that he cared about, and he made many lasting impacts. During the height of the Civil Rights movement, he began his involvement with the Anti-Defamation League, where he was a confidante and advisor to the late A.I. Botnick, the longterm executive director of the ADL. The work with the ADL fighting hate, discrimination and injustice was so important to him that he went on to become the president of the South Central Region and was a huge supporter of their work in subsequent years.
His work with the ADL and covering the Civil Rights movement also led him to become close friends with the legendary Dillard University president Samuel DuBois Cook. The two of them went on to form Dillard University’s Black-Jewish Relations Advisory Council, which Katz administered as its executive director.
Katz was also particularly proud of his involvement with the New Orleans Holocaust Memorial Project, which started during Mayor Marc Morial’s term of office and was dedicated in 2004. He was instrumental in helping not only to raise funds, but also to garner political support for the project which now stands next to the Aquarium on the Riverfront.
A devotee of Mardi Gras culture, he also handled public relations for the Bacchus Organization for many years.
A voracious reader – particularly of history, politics, and sports – Katz was a dedicated tennis player who could often be found on Sunday mornings at the Hilton Rivercenter. He was a devoted fan of Tulane athletics and took great pleasure in watching Green Wave football games, particularly watching their monumental run to the upcoming Cotton Bowl on January 2.
He was always kind, loyal and generous to his family and friends. “I have had a great life,” he said recently, reviewing his accomplishments.
With a front seat to politics and culture at a pivotal time in the life of New Orleans and the surrounding area, Katz’s connection through his many insights and lasting friendships will probably still be measured for years to come.
Katz is survived by his sister, Saundra Katz Levy. A private burial was held.
A memorial service was held at Temple Sinai, 6737 St. Charles Avenue, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, jointly officiated by Rabbi Daniel Sherman and Emeritus Rabbi Ed Paul Cohn. Cantor Joel Colman also provided musical and liturgical support. A reception featuring Katz’s favorite meals including chopped liver, fried chicken, sushi, tuna salad, individual bundt cakes, cookies, candy corn and butterscotch hard candies immediately followed in the social hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holocaust Memorial Fund of the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Greater New Orleans, the Louisiana SPCA, or the South Central Region of the Anti-Defamation League.
