Hilary Rosen at Center of Controversy

ROSEN VS. ROMNEY: Hilary Rosen never shied away from controversy when she ruled the RIAA until stepping down in 2003 to “spend more time with her family,” and now she’s on the hot seat again in her role as Democratic strategist. Last week, Rosen declared that GOP candidate Mitt Romney’s wife Ann “hadn’t worked a day in her life,” setting off sparks when Romney responded, “I made a choice to stay home and raise five boys. Believe me, it’s hard work.” HBO’s Bill Maher jumped into the fray, defending Hilary and setting off a wave of Republican propaganda that the Dems were “anti stay-at-home wives.” Rosen now works as managing director of the Public Affairs and Communications Practice of DC-based SKDKnickerbocker, a strategic communications consulting firm. Before that she was a partner of the DC branch of the Brunswick Group, a PR and communications firm based in London. Rosen,who has also been reportedly involved in supporting Warner Music Group’s opposition to UMG and Sony/ATV’s acquisitions of EMI’s recorded music and publishing interests, has since apologized for her remarks. (4/17p)