Strauss

 was C.W. Longbottom's book publisher. He sent C.W. a breech of contract notification because C.W. had never completed a contracted fantasy trilogy for the publishing house for which Strauss worked.

When Jo went to his office to argue for an extension of Longbottom's due date, he was quitely bemused at her aggressive approach. When he noted that the third book was due in 1982, this instantly shut Jo down. However, after she realised the power of the 82's antiquated and offensive method of communication, she realised that she had an ace in the hole. After she regrouped, she continued the conversation with Strauss. Apologising profusely for her earlier behaviour, she promised that C.W. would fully cooperate with all efforts to publicise the upcoming film based upon his initial novel.

And then she let Strauss actually speak with Longbottom.

C.W. was deeply offensive, and he instantly recognised the public relations nightmare he was facing. He immediately relented on the deadline extension, ostensibly under the agreement that C.W. would stay as far away from the press as possible. As Jo pointed out, the publisher wouldn't want the trouble that had befallen Orson Scott Card or J.K. Rowling.