Irving-based Nexstar Media Group Inc. has appointed Washington, D.C., and media and telecommunications industry advocate Scott Weaver as its SVP of government relations. He will report directly to Nexstar chairman and CEO Perry Sook.
Weaver will begin his new duties on Sept. 5.
In this newly created role, Weaver will work with Sook to set the company’s legislative and regulatory priorities, represent Nexstar’s interests to the executive branch of the federal government, Congress, and a variety of regulatory bodies. He will also establish Nexstar’s first-ever Office of Government Affairs in Washington, D.C.
“Nexstar’s business has grown substantially over the last several years as we became the largest local broadcaster in the United States, launched our national cable news network, NewsNation, acquired majority ownership of The CW Network, and deepened our relationships with our network and distribution partners,” Sook said in a statement. “We have a unique business model with legislative and regulatory goals that are unlike other media companies. Scott’s experience, leadership, and reputation for getting things done, along with the respect he has earned across the political landscape, make him the ideal person to represent Nexstar in the nation’s capital.”
Expertise in government relations, public policy, and politics
Before joining Nexstar, Weaver was the founding partner of HSA Strategies, an advocacy and consulting firm specializing in the representation of clients in the telecommunications, healthcare, and defense industries in matters before the Congress and the executive branch of the federal government that was founded in 2022. Weaver and his HSA colleagues have provided counsel to corporate and trade association executives regarding the political climate, issues development, advocacy, crisis communications, government oversight and regulation, as well as legislative threats and opportunities.
From 2009 to 2022, Weaver was chairman of the public policy practice at the law firm of Wiley Rein LLP, managing all related staff and budget, political giving, client growth and new business generation in this area. During his tenure, Weaver led Wiley Rein’s engagement with clients on issues related to telecommunications, healthcare, transportation, trade, and defense, and played an integral role in several high-profile, successful mergers and acquisitions in the telecommunications and transportation industries.
Weaver has also been engaged in a number of political campaigns at the presidential, gubernatorial, and congressional levels.
Earlier in his career, Weaver was vice president of government and political affairs for the Airports Council International/North America and as Chief of Staff in the Office of U.S. Representative Katherine Harris (R-FL).
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to establish and lead Nexstar’s Government Affairs office to give the nation’s largest broadcaster a direct voice with decision makers,” Weaver said. “Nexstar is a unique company that serves the public interest through unvarnished news coverage, positive impacts on the communities it serves, and a growing sports portfolio. I am excited for what the future holds.”
TV and digital news
Nexstar Media Group is a diversified media company that produces and distributes local and national news, sports, and entertainment content across its television and digital platforms, including more than 310,000 hours of programming produced annually by its business units. It owns the nation’s largest local TV broadcasting group comprised of top network affiliates, with 200 owned or partner stations in 116 U.S. markets reaching 220 million people. Nexstar’s national television properties include The CW, America’s fifth major broadcast network, NewsNation, its national news network providing “News for All America,” popular entertainment multicast networks Antenna TV and Rewind TV, and a 31.3% ownership stake in TV Food Network.
Nexstar’s portfolio of digital assets, including its local TV station websites, The Hill, and NewsNationNow.com, are collectively a Top 10 U.S. digital news and information property.
Get on the list.
Dallas Innovates, every day.
Sign up to keep your eye on what’s new and next in Dallas-Fort Worth, every day.
R E A D N E X T
-
At the Founders' Breakfast Masterclass in Dallas, Psyche Terry, Miss USA and CEO of Urban Hydration, announced her brand's inclusion in the Amazon Black Business Accelerator. Boss Women Media's CEO, Marty McDonald, launched the expansion of her infant/toddler clothing line, Elle Olivia, on Amazon. Plus, Sarah Jakes Roberts, Lady Jade, and other influential voices offered valuable insights to empower Black women entrepreneurs.
-
Merit Street, which broadcasts programming from studios in the AllianceTexas development in North Fort Worth, is launching on multiple platforms including DIRECTV, DISH, and U-verse TV, as well as for Xfinity/Comcast viewers in several major Eastern cities.
-
Ellen Johnson serves as EVP and CFO of the Interpublic Group of Companies, one of the world’s leading providers of marketing and advertising solutions.
-
Qsic says it's one of the world's first "commercial music streaming platforms," influencing over 100 million shoppers at the point of purchase monthly. Now its co-founder and CEO, Matt Elsley, is working out of Dallas to support his company's new business growth across North America.
-
Rockwall-based Lime Media has acquired award-winning mobile builder Turtle Transit, in a deal that creates the event industry's largest mobile marketing partner. Both companies focus on wrapping vehicles with branding imagery for regional and national brands: The companies said that the deal combines Lime—known for its speed, efficiency, quality work, and fleet of 175 mobile vehicles—and Hudson, Massachusetts-based Turtle, one of the most creative custom mobile vehicle design shops of the last 20 years. It will provide clients with turnkey scale, more creativity, and more services, the companies said. "The event agencies who we are proud to call our clients—and…
