PEOPLE

By Mike Demenchuk -- Multichannel News, 10/3/2011 12:01:00 AM

COMCAST

Walter Hughes was named director, state government affairs for Comcast’s California region. He was the chief of staff to California Sen. Ed Hernandez for the past five years.

COMCAST SPORTSNET

Phil Bedella was promoted to vice president, general manager of Comcast SportsNet Chicago. He was assistant general manager, vice president of advertising at the network since its 2004 launch.

ESCAPES NETWORK

John Baghdassarian has joined eScapes Network as an affiliate-sales executive, based in Los Angeles. He had been VP, affiliate sales and marketing at ComStar Media, among other roles.

FOX NETWORKS

Steve Carcano has joined Fox Networks Distribution as senior vice president, national accounts, as part of a restructuring of operations. Most recently founder of Metroclips, he had been senior VP, distribution at Lifetime Networks.

Also, Kris Nielsen-Refs has joined Fox Networks Distribution as vice president, digital distribution. He was director, business development and multiplatform distribution at Turner Broadcasting System.

FUEL TV

Melissa Forman has joined Fox Sports Media Group’s Fuel TV as senior vice president, programming, development and current. She had been a consultant for FSMG.

THE HUB

Hasbro and Discovery-owned kids’ network The Hub has named Stan Lim design director. He comes from branding agency Troika Design Group, where he worked with such clients as WE tv, MSG Varsity, Starz and ABC.

MGM

Dene Stratton has joined studio Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer as chief financial officer. A 20-year veteran of The Walt Disney Co., he most recently served as CFO of TRC Media (Ireland) Ltd., an Internet startup.

MIRAMAX

Beth Minehart has joined Miramax as senior vice president, global digital. She comes from NBCUniversal, where she was executive VP, international new media.

Also, Adrienne Gary was named senior vice president, organizational strategy and administration at Miramax. She comes from Fox Networks Group, where she was executive vice president.

2OTH CENTURY FOX TV

Gina Brogi was upped to executive vice president, worldwide pay television and subscription video on demand at Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution. She had been senior VP, worldwide pay television distribution.

SHOWTIME

Showtime Networks has tapped Trisha Cardoso as executive vice president, corporate communications. She had managed her own strategic communications firm.

UNIVISION

Nick Valls has joined Univision Communications as senior vice president, network sales, where he will serve as the lead for Hispanic agencies and the Miami network sales office. He comes from Partnership Media Grouo, hwere he was senior VP.

Also, David Grossman advanced to vice president, integrated property development and cable network sales, responsible for the programmer’s portfolio of cable networks. He was VP, network sales strategy and property development.

WEATHER

David Shipps has joined The Weather Channel Cos. as senior vice president, business and alternative revenue development. He comes from Cox Media Group, where he was responsible for the online DealSwarm business.

WE tv

Carole Smith has joined WE tv as vice president, research. She comes from Current TV, where she served in the same role.

DID YOU KNOW? Walter Hughes served on the state legislative election campaigns of such California Democrats as Mike Machado, Dean Florez and Barbara Matthews.

DID YOU KNOW? Tricia Cardoso’s PR clients have included Two and a Half Men, TV producer James Burrows and the African nation of Gabon.