PEOPLE

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.