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Ancora, the activist investor that has targeted US Steel, has hired BGR Government Affairs for strategic counsel and representation in DC.
The Cleveland-based asset management firm wants to shake up the board of USS, and force it to abandon its merger with Japan’s Nippon Steel.
President Joe Biden blocked that $15B deal based on national security grounds. Nippon and USS filed a federal lawsuit, alleging that Biden unlawfully scuttled the merger.
Ancora has devised a “Make US Steel Great Again” plan to undo the merger, collect the $565M break-up fee, and install new leadership to revive the steelmaker as an independent company.
Jonathan Mantz, who heads BGR’s commerce & infrastructure practice, spearheads the lobbying team that includes David Urban (chief of staff to Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Spector) and Justin Rzepka (legislative aide to Nevada Sen. John Ensign).
Ballard Partners has signed to a represent the US unit of Rheinmetall, Germany’s biggest defense contractor, on Army procurement issues.
BGR Group signs on to provide lobbying and PR services for Terzo, an AI financial intelligence platform. Douglas Lute, chair of BGR’s international and defense practices, will join Terzo’s board of directors.
Avoq has landed Palantir Technologies, the controversial surveillance company founded by right-wing billionaire Peter Thiel, as a client.
Anne Kierig, who was senior manager of public policy at Amazon, has joined the American Advertising Federation as VP-government affairs. She takes over for Clark Rector, who is retiring after a 37-year run at AAF.
TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, which was established in compliance with the executive order signed by President Trump, has hired Valcour LLC, which has close ties with his administration.
