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New York City · Journalism & audience strategy

Anthony Esguerra

Journalist & newsroom leader

Anthony Esguerra is a New York-based journalist and newsroom leader. He is the Director of Audience Strategy at Vital City and the founder of Mamdani Tracker, an independent journalism project monitoring New York City government.

Explore projects
Anthony Esguerra, Filipino journalist and newsroom leader in New York City

Journalism projects

Reporting, audience strategy and digital products with a public-service mission.

An independent journalism project monitoring New York City mayoral promises, government actions, appointments and policy outcomes.

Audience Listening Tool

Developed a newsroom tool to collect and organize reader questions, helping journalists identify community concerns and opportunities for service journalism.

Factual PH

Developed a COVID-19 fact-checking chatbot and explanatory journalism content on Philippine elections through initiatives supported by Internews.

Professional experience

Reporting, editorial leadership and audience development across newsrooms and platforms.

  1. Vital City

    Director of Audience Strategy

    January 2026 – Present
    New York, NY

    01

    Vital City is a New York City-based publication examining public policy, governance and the challenges facing cities. Anthony leads audience strategy and engagement, developing initiatives across newsletters, search, digital platforms and content distribution to grow readership and strengthen connections with audiences.

  2. Mamdani Tracker

    Founder & Editor

    November 2025 – Present
    New York, NY

    02

    Mamdani Tracker is an independent journalism project documenting New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's promises, actions, appointments and policy outcomes. Anthony founded the project and leads its editorial direction, research and digital product development alongside journalists, economists and policy analysts.

  3. BenarNews / Radio Free Asia

    Head of Audience Engagement

    February 2024 – May 2025
    Washington, DC

    03

    BenarNews is a news organization covering politics, security, human rights and other public-interest developments across Asia and the Pacific. Anthony led a distributed audience engagement team, overseeing digital audience strategy, multiplatform storytelling and editorial initiatives informed by audience insights.

  4. Spotify

    Editorial Analyst

    2022 – 2023
    New York, NY

    04

    Spotify is a global audio streaming platform. Anthony analyzed audience behavior, content performance and safety signals to inform editorial distribution and content positioning across Southeast Asian markets.

  5. Voice of America

    Multimedia Stringer

    2021 – 2022
    Manila, Philippines

    05

    Voice of America is a U.S. international broadcaster providing news and information to global audiences. Anthony reported on Philippine news and current affairs for television, radio and digital platforms.

  6. VICE / VICE World News

    Reporter

    August 2020 – August 2021
    Southeast Asia

    06

    VICE World News was the international news division of VICE Media, producing reporting, investigations and documentaries. Anthony covered politics, society and major developments across Southeast Asia through written journalism, documentaries and digital video.

  7. GMA News

    Field Reporter, Host & Producer

    2019 – 2020
    Philippines

    07

    GMA News is a major Philippine broadcast and digital news organization. Anthony worked as an on-camera reporter, host and producer covering politics, justice and foreign affairs, producing stories for television and digital audiences.

  8. INQUIRER.net

    Social Media Editor / Reporter

    December 2014 – August 2018
    Manila, Philippines

    08

    INQUIRER.net is the digital news platform associated with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, one of the country's leading newspapers. Anthony helped develop its social media and audience engagement operations, introducing emerging digital storytelling formats and expanding the publication's online reach.

About Anthony Esguerra

Vital City

Mamdani Tracker

Anthony Esguerra is a New York-based journalist and newsroom leader. He is the Director of Audience Strategy at Vital City and the founder of Mamdani Tracker, an independent journalism project monitoring New York City government.

His career spans reporting, editorial leadership and audience development in the United States and Southeast Asia. Originally from the Philippines, he has worked with news organizations including VICE, BenarNews, Voice of America, GMA News and INQUIRER.net.

In the News

I'm usually the one reporting the news, not appearing in it. But every now and then, the roles reverse. Here are a few occasions when I've found myself on the other side of the story.

Manila Bulletin

A profile of the people behind Mamdani Tracker and our effort to bring greater transparency and accountability to New York City government.

Education

New York University

01

Master of Arts in Journalism

Digital Innovation concentration

2023

Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY

02

AI Journalism Lab

Leadership Cohort

January – April 2025