Government affairs communications activities in DC are under a microscope like never before. Thankfully Comcast has seasoned exec Fitzmaurice in its corner. She leads strategic communications with national audiences on all federal, regulatory and legislative issues. During the past year, she had an integral role in the company’s communications efforts related to potential mergers and acquisitions, as well as managing communications around issues such as net neutrality. “The pace of change and intensity of competition just doesn’t let up—in some ways it’s more of the same only more, more, more,” she says of the industry.
What’s a recent example of a step forward for women in the media industry?
With more and more competition in the industry, while a loss for NBC, it was great to see Jen Salke be named head of Amazon Studios.
Who is an inspirational woman you admire, and why?
Ruth Bader Ginsberg—while I’d watched her tenure on the Supreme Court, I didn’t know much about the cases she argued early in her pioneering career. The upcoming film “On the Basis of Sex” (Focus Features) and the podcast “RBG: Beyond Notorious” both highlight the importance of these cases, including a case which ultimately affected all women in the US. She also had a decades-long friendship with Antonin Scalia, although they had little in common in how they looked at the law, they didn’t let that affect their respect for each other – that’s something we could use more of in Washington today.
What’s been the most dramatic change in your sector of the business today vs. three years ago?
The pace of change and intensity of competition just doesn’t let up—in some ways it’s more of the same only more, more, more.
If there were a reality show based on your office, what would it be called?
“What’s with Washington?”
