Face2Face

Phil Sakakihara was named chief technology officer of San Mateo, Calif.-based Internet video-on-demand company Akimbo. He comes from document management and electronic discovery company CaseCentral, where he was VP, engineering and e-discovery operations.

Also, Brant J. Smith has joined Akimbo as director, marketing. He was VP of online video startup Broadline Media.

Old Bridge, N.J.-based cable equipment vendor Blonder Tongue Laboratories has added R. Craig Viar as director, system sales. He was GM of The O'Connor Group, a broadband integration and custom video surveillance application provider.

Derry, N.H.-based Voice-over-Internet protocol switching technologies provider Cedar Point Communications has named Ivan Arietta as vice president, sales, focusing on Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He comes from Avaya, where he was VP, managing director, Iberia and the Middle East.

Comcast has elevated Joseph W. Waz Jr. to senior vice president, external affairs and public policy counsel, based in Philadelphia.

Also, Kerry Knott advanced to senior vice president, government affairs, based in Washington. He had been VP.

Scott Prill advanced to director, marketing, at Comcast's Indianapolis region.

And Comcast Indianapolis promoted Stephen Goodan to regional director, sales.

Cox Communications has promoted Erin Govednik to executive director, human resources, based in the cable operator's Atlanta headquarters. She had been director, human resources management systems.

Additionally, Angie Keller was named executive director, total rewards and worklife programs at Cox. She was director of compensation.

Also, Cox promoted Mary James to executive director, training and development, also in Atlanta.

Robin Benton advanced to assistant general counsel, from senior counsel.

And Margaret Acker-Blardo was upped to director, training and development, new products and services.

Gena McCarthy has rejoined Discovery Channel as vice president, development and current programming. She comes from WE TV.

Also, Beth Dietrich Segarra was named vice president, development at Discovery Channel. She comes from The History Channel, where she was VP, historical programming.

And Liz Brach was named Discovery Channel's vice president, production. She had been an independent producer.

Disney/ABC Television Group has named Peter Fitton vice president, international sales, Disney Media Advertising Sales and Marketing Group. He comes from MTV Networks Digital, where he was director, new business development.

New York-based social commerce network ExpoTV has named David Rubenstein its vice president, media sales. He was senior category director at Yahoo.

Jeff Warner was elevated to vice president, information systems at New York-based cable operator Insight Communications. He had been director.

Mary Parent was named chairperson, worldwide motion picture group at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios. She comes from Universal Pictures, where she was vice chairman, worldwide production.

QVC has elevated Larry Hayes to senior vice president, general counsel of the West Chester, Pa.-based home-shopping network. He was VP, legal, and assistant secretary.

Henry Hoberman was named executive vice president, general counsel of New York-based TV production house RHI Entertainment. He comes from ABC Inc., where he was senior vice president.

Randall McCurdy was named vice president, affiliate sales Starz Entertainment, based in Engelwood, Colo. He comes from Ascent Media Group in Denver.

Time Warner Cable has added Toni Holland as vice president, human resources, Wisconsin division. She comes from Kraft Foods, where she was a 14-year human resources veteran.

Randy Klein has joined Ultimate Fighting Championship owner Zuffa LLC, Las Vegas, as vice president, licensing and merchandising. He was head of domestic licensing at DreamWorlds Animation.

Multiplatform ad-sales firm WorldLink, New York, has elevated Sue Thorman to executive vice president of business development. She was VP.