Spanish-language broadcaster Univision in February reveled major spends for telecommunications lobbying support on Capitol Hill.
Univision, the network that serves the U.S. Latino community, is currently undertaking an ambitious bid to drive nationwide Hispanic voter registration, according to a report today by the New York Times. That effort will include editorials, online voter guides, organizing initiatives and town-hall-style forums, as well as “an aggressive schedule of advertisements on all of Univision’s video and digital platforms,” according to the Times.
Veteran broadcaster and Univision chief news anchor Jorge Ramos told NPR in February that the network is also currently pushing an aggressive effort to increase political coverage to Millennial viewers via social media.
Media mogul Haim Saban, a major financial supporter of Hillary Clinton, maintains a majority stake in Univision.
February lobbying registration documents reveal that Univision has now hired lobbying firm Monument Policy Group LLC for Washington, D.C. representation in the telecommunications realm.
A nine-member Monument team will handle the Univision account, including founder and partner Stewart Verdery, who was staffer for Senators John Warner (R-VA) and Don Nickles (R-OK) and formerly served as Homeland Security assistant secretary; Andrew Howell, former VP-homeland security policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; and Stephanie Martz, former senior counsel and special assistant to President Obama and chief counsel to Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Univision in February also picked up D.C.-based government affairs firm Kountoupes Denham for help with telecommunications issues.
That firm, formerly known as Kountoupes Consulting, LLC, is utilizing its five principals to manage the account. Lisa Kountoupes was President Clinton’s House liaison, assistant director of legislative affairs at the Office of Management & Budget, special assistant at the Dept. of Energy and staffer on John Dingell’s (D-MI) Energy & Commerce Committee; Lori Denham was formerly chief of staff to Rep. Cal Dooley (D-CA) and legislative director to former Energy and Commerce Committee member Rep. Darlene Hooley (D-OR); Randi Reid was former legislative director for Rep. Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas); Rose Sullivan was chief of staff to Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MI); and Julie Hershey Carr was former legislative director for Rep. Joseph R. Pitts (R-PA).
Finally, Univision has tapped Alexandria, VA-based public policy consulting firm Kelly Cole Strategies for lobbying help on issues related to telecommunications.
That account will be headed by Principal Kelly Cole, who was executive VP of the National Association of Broadcasters' government relations department and formerly served as telecommunications counsel for U.S. House of Representatives's Committee on Energy & Commerce.
Maggie Moran, who is well-connected in New Jersey and New York Democratic politics, has established Moxie Strategies in Asbury Park, NJ.
Husch Blackwell Strategies has added FleishmanHillard alum Michael Slatin as a principal in its public affairs group.
Rory Cooper, a veteran Republican operative and policy specialist, has joined Teneo’s Washington office as senior managing director in its strategy & communications practice.
Brian Fallon, who served as national press secretary for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential run, is signing on next month as Vice President’s Kamala Harris’ campaign communications director.
TikTok is nothing more than a Chinese propaganda tool that poses “a grave threat to America’s national security and, in particular, impressionable children and young adults,” say two Congressmen who want the platform registered as a foreign agent.
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