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Ballard Partners has signed on to represent Paramount Global for regulatory and legislative issues affecting the media business.
The entertainment giant is in the midst of selling itself to Skydance Media for $8.4B. That deal, which includes the transfer of broadcast licenses, must be approved by Donald Trump’s Federal Communications Commission. Brendan Carr, whom Trump picked to chair the FCC, has said the Paramount/Skydance requires close scrutiny.
Trump also has sued Paramount Global’s “60 Minutes” program over an October interview that it conducted with former Vice President Kamala Harris.
He claimed 60 Minutes edited the piece to make Harris look good. CBS has filed a motion to discuss the case, and Trump’s team has until Jan. 24 to respond.
Paramount is reportedly discussing how it might settle the suit with the president.
Brian Ballard, who is a top Trump fund-raiser, handles the Paramount business.
Patrick Kilcur, who was executive VP-US government affairs at the Motion Picture Association, and a key aide to former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, backstops Ballard.
Rolls-Royce North America has enlisted Ballard Partners for an education campaign on Capitol Hill to communicate the strategic importance of its defense capabilities to the US.
BGR Government Relations has picked up Circle Internet Group, the leader in stablecoins, for strategic counsel and advocacy issues related to cryptocurrency and financial services.
Solvay North America, which is part of the Brussels-based speciality chemicals giant, has retained DGA Group for work connected to tariffs.
The New York Times has signed on Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for DC support on media publishing, artificial intelligence and intellectual property matters. 
The New York Stock Exchange Group has hired Ballard Partners for government affairs advice and guidance on issues related to trading and the capital markets.
