Newsmax Media, the conservative media organization whose cable news channel Newsmax TV was dropped this month by satellite television provider DISH Network, has retained lobbying firm Park Strategies for broadcast support on Capitol Hill.
The West Palm Beach, FL-based media company has specifically hired Park Strategies for help with “open access for news networks for digital broadcasting,” according to June lobbying registration documents.
Newsmax, which was founded in 1998 by CEO Christopher Ruddy, runs its flagship newsMax.com site, which is one of the most viewed political news sources in the country, receiving about 50 million views each month.
Newsmax also publishes its monthly Newsmax magazine and produces cable news channel Newsmax TV. That news channel, which was launched in June 2014, currently maintains about five million monthly viewers. Newsmax TV had been distributed through carriers DirecTV, Verizon FiOS and DISH Network, though it was dropped by the latter as of June 1.
Newsmax in a June statement said it was disappointed by DISH Network’s decision to discontinue the channel, especially during an election period. The statement also said that DISH had given Newsmax TV “unfair and inappropriate placement,” shelving the channel aside shopping channels and other non-news related content, which made it difficult for subscribers to find the news outlet. The statement concluded with a request for DISH subscribers to call the provider and request the channel's return.
A five-person team will manage the account, including Al D’Amato, the former Republican New York Senator who heads the firm. He will be joined by Kraig Siracuse, former staff member to the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Defense; John Zagame, former chief of staff to Senator D’Amato; Christopher D’Amato, former senior counsel to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; and former Congressman Vito Fossella (R-NY).
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.
