People

AVERNA
Montreal-based test and quality solutions provider Averna has named Mika Mämmelä as vice president of global accounts with a focus on consumer devices. He comes from JOT Automation, where he was VP of research and development.

BOIES SCHILLER FLEXNER
Travis LeBlanc has joined the Washington, D.C., and Palo Alto, Calif., offices of Boies Schiller Flexner as a partner. He was chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau.

COMCAST
Kathryn Zachem was elevated to executive vice president, regulatory and state affairs at Comcast. She had been senior VP.

DISCOVERY
Joseph Ambeault has been tapped as senior vice president, product and technology at Discovery Communications, responsible for all product, engineering, design and product-management |efforts across Discovery’s U.S. Digital organization. He comes from Verizon Communications, where he was executive director, consumer video product management.

Also, Craig Coffman was named senior vice president of production and development, motor content, at Discovery Channel. He currently oversees Discovery motor series including Fast N’ Loud, Street Outlaws, Street Outlaws: New Orleans and Diesel Brothers.

FUSE MEDIA
Gino Marliani has joined Fuse Media as chief people officer, based in Los Angeles. He comes from Discovery Studios, where he was group VP, strategy and operations.

HARRIS, WILTSHIRE & GRANNIS
Stephanie Weiner has joined Washington, D.C., law firm Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis as a partner in its communications and energy practices. She had been a legal adviser to former Federal Communications Commission chairman Tom Wheeler.

MACHINIMA
Russell Aarons has been named GM of Warner Bros. Digital Network Group-owned multiplatform programming service Machinima. She had been senior VP, worldwide marketing at Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

MTV/VH1
Viacom’s MTV, VH1 and Logo group has tapped Maggie Malina as head of scripted for MTV and VH1. She had been head of scripted at VH1, where she launched as Hit the Floor, Single Ladies and CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story.

NICKELODEON
Nickelodeon Group has elevated Shelly Sumpter Gillyard as executive vice president, talent, music and events, based in Burbank, Calif. She had been senior VP of talent.

PARAMOUNT NETWORK
Brad Gardner has been upped to senior vice president, development and original programming at Paramount Network and TV Land. He had been senior VP, development and original programming at TV Land, where he oversaw Younger, Heathers, American Woman, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Teachers and Impastor.

RIEDEL
John Bell was named general manager of Riedel Communications Australia. He had been a nonexecutive director of the Australia division since 2015.

SCREEN ENGINE/ASI
Aaron Paquette has joined Los Angeles-based entertainment research firm Screen Engine/ASI’s TV Group as senior vice president. He was executive VP of the Media and Entertainment division at Maru/Matchbox.

XUMO
Chris Hall has joined over-the-top service Xumo as senior vice president of product. He had led connected device development for Red Bull TV.