Comcast promotes top two lobbyists

Comcast announced the promotions of the top two lobbyists in its Washington office on Monday, both of whom played a crucial role in securing the government's approval of the NBC Universal acquisition.

Kathy Zachem will become senior vice president for regulatory and state legislative affairs, while Melissa Maxfield's new title will be senior vice president for congressional and federal government affairs.

Zachem will continue to lead the cable giant's lobbying efforts before the regulatory agencies, as well as state and local government relations. Maxfield will oversee all congressional lobbying as well as some executive branch agencies such as the White House and Commerce Department.

Both will continue to report to Comcast's executive vice president, David Cohen, in Philadelphia, who praised their key roles in gaining approval of Comcast's acquisition of a majority stake in NBC Universal from General Electric earlier this year.

“Kathy and Melissa are two of the most highly respected legislative and regulatory professionals in Washington. Their leadership work in connection with our NBCUniversal transaction was integral to its successful completion," Cohen said.

"They have also been instrumental in building Comcast’s office in Washington, assembling an incredibly talented and deeply experienced federal and state government affairs team."

Comcast's spending on lobbying more than doubled since 2006, to more than $12 million annually from 2008 through 2010, according to data from OpenSecrets.

The firm's comprehensive effort on the NBC Universal deal is arguably one of the most successful lobbying campaigns in recent years, garnering the support of hundreds of lawmakers, advocacy groups and community organizations.

Zachem has lead Comcast's regulatory efforts since joining the firm in 2008. She was previously a founding partner at the law firm Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, where she practiced communications law for 23 years. 

Maxfield has been with Comcast since leaving the Hill in 2003. She previously worked for former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and was named one of The Hill's "Top Corporate Lobbyists in Washington" in both 2009 and 2010.