• February 12, 2003

As the Federal Communications Commission prepares to change its media ownership rules, and Capitol Hill grows weary with the effects of consolidation, the San Antonio-based Clear Channel Communications is adding some strength to its bench with Democratic and Republican insiders. Democrat Brendan Kelsay and Republican Robert Fisher will join senior VP of government relations Andy Levin in Clear Channel’s Washington, DC office. Kelsay joins from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where he was an advisor to ranking Democrat Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) on mass media and telecom issues. Fisher comes from the Senate Commerce Committee where he was an advisor to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). It was in the Senate Commerce Committee that Clear Channel CEO Lowry Mays came under fire two weeks ago from several Senators about Clear Channel’s business practices in its radio and live music promotion businesses.