The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced that Chief Legal Officer Rick Kaplan will depart at the end of 2026. Effective January 1, 2027, Shawn Donilon will assume the newly created role of chief advocacy officer, overseeing a consolidated legal and government relations division.
This organizational shift reflects the blurring lines between legislative policy, FCC regulation, and courtroom litigation in the media sector. By consolidating these functions under Shawn Donilon, the association aims to eliminate silos that often slow down responses to rapid technological shifts like ATSC 3.0 and spectrum reallocation. For the broader streaming ecosystem, a more unified broadcast lobby could intensify pressure on royalty rate proceedings and retransmission consent negotiations. The industry should monitor how this integrated structure affects the association's efficiency in challenging federal regulatory fees and broadcast ownership restrictions throughout 2027.
The National Association of Broadcasters is restructuring its leadership, with Chief Legal Officer Rick Kaplan set to depart in late 2026. Starting January 2027, Shawn Donilon will lead a new consolidated advocacy division. This merger of legal and government relations aims to streamline regulatory responses to technological shifts like ATSC 3.0.
Rick Kaplan will depart his role as Chief Legal Officer at the end of 2026, concluding a 14-year tenure.
Effective January 1, 2027, Shawn Donilon will assume the title of Chief Advocacy Officer.
The association is consolidating these departments into a single advocacy unit to eliminate silos and improve efficiency in responding to rapid technological changes and regulatory challenges.
Kaplan is noted for securing lower streaming royalty rates for radio broadcasters through the Copyright Royalty Board.
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