News Corp. Adding Two To D.C. Lobby Ranks

News Corp. is adding some extra lobbying muscle to its Washington office.

Veteran broadcast lobbyist Kathy Ramsey of The Fritts Group joins News Corp., (the parent of Fox Broadcasting) at the end of the month. In addition, the media giant is also bringing on board Kristopher Jones, VP of media relations at the National Association of Broadcasters, starting Monday, Jan. 10

An official announcement  of News Corp.’s plans to beef up its Washington operations is expected on Monday.

Ramsey is going to be VP of government relations and Jones will serve as director of government relations. Ramsey will report to News Corp.’s chief Washington lobbyist Michael Regan and Jones will report to Maureen O’Connell, SVP, regulatory and government affairs.

Ramsey already knows the broadcast company’s legislative and regulatory priorities quite well. At the Fritts Group, she and her long-time boss, Eddie Fritts have represented News Corp., since  2006. Ramsey worked for Fritts when he was president of the National Association of Broadcasters.

“It’s a great opportunity for her,’’ says Fritts, who adds that a search is underway to find a replacement for Ramsey.

Jones, who has been at NAB since 2005, does not have the same lobbying credentials as Ramsey. But according to his boss NAB’s Dennis Wharton, “Kris is a gifted media relations professional with a terrific grasp on public policy issues.”