Reflecting its growing interest in U.S., Bertelsmann is opening i...

Reflecting its growing interest in U.S., Bertelsmann is opening its first Washington, D.C., office, to be headed beginning June 4 by Justin Lilley, currently News Corp. vp-govt. relations. Creation of Washington office is one of first major moves by former Justice Dept. antitrust head Joel Klein, who became head of Bertelsmann’s U.S. operations Feb. 1. “Bertelsmann has clearly decided it wants to be a full-scale media player,” Lilley told us, “and they obviously see a regulatory and legislative component to that.” Lilley, whose main focus in past has been on mass media issues, said Washington office’s initial focus would be on Internet-type issues, such as e-commerce and copyright, but it would be ready for “any future business plans.” Bertelsmann has been widely speculated to be interested in U.S. broadcast, cable and motion picture businesses and is considered likely to become publicly owned in next few years. Klein, in announcing opening of office, said “our business is at an exciting juncture, with tremendous opportunities ahead.” Lilley has been counsel to House Commerce Committee, was member of Bush-Cheney transition team and has been in private legal practice. He will report directly to Klein as 2nd ranking official in News Corp. Washington office.