Washington - Former Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria (Torie) Clarke, who was credited for the plan allowing journalists to join the U.S. invasion of Iraq, has decided to return to the cable industry, embedding as a paid adviser to Comcast Corp.
Clarke, who once served as the top spokeswoman at the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, signed on Monday to help the cable giant "in the communications and government affairs arena with other members of the cable industry," according to a Comcast statement.
An industry source said Clarke, who resigned her Defense Department post in June, is joining Comcast on Jan. 1 on a part-time basis.
She will be based in Washington, D.C. and reporting to Philadelphia-based executive vice president David Cohen. Kerry Knott, who runs Comcast's D.C. office, also reports to Cohen.
"Torie brings to Comcast a depth of experience in communications and government, and enjoys a sterling national reputation as a trusted communicator. We're delighted that she has agreed to join the Comcast family," said Comcast president CEO Brian Roberts in a statement.
Clarke said, "I am thrilled to be working for Comcast. I have enormous respect for Brian Roberts and the team he's built at Comcast, and I look forward to working with them as the company grows."
In recent months, Clarke has made regular appearances on CNN's Paula Zahn Now. Comcast did not require Clarke to give up that part-time job to join the company, a source said.
