NBC Universal's chief lobbyist leaves to start own firm

Bob Okun, the longtime head of NBC Universal's government-affairs office in Washington, announced he will leave to start his own firm on Friday starting July 1.

Okun played a key role in helping secure the government's approval of Comcast's purchase of a majority stake in NBC Universal. Comcast Executive Vice President David Cohen praised Okun's performance and said Comcast/NBC Universal plans to keep employing his expertise as a client of his new firm, The "O" Team.

"Now that we are becoming an integrated, new company, I am excited to fulfill my professional dream after 30 years in Washington to start a firm which will bring together politics, policy and business," Okun said in a statement.

"I am delighted to have Comcast and NBC Universal as my first clients, and look forward to working with David Cohen, Kyle McSlarrow, Rick Cotton and their entire team of seasoned professionals in Washington."

Okun led NBC Universal's Washington office for 16 years after working for various Republican leadership offices in the 1980s and the Department of Education under then-Secretary Lamar Alexander, now a Republican senator from Tennessee.