Sinking Ship Entertainment is strengthening its sales team with the hire of Ayesha Girgla as manager of distribution. Previously a practicing lawyer, Girgla will bring expertise in intellectual property, copyright infringement and social media law to the Toronto producer and distributor.

Girgla will report to heads of sales and distribution Marilyn Kynaston and Kate Sanagan. She joins Sinking Ship from St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School, where she served as VP of communications, and Ignite Law, where she was a lawyer and sole practitioner. The appointment comes as Sinking Ship navigates increasingly complicated rights management issues, according to Sanagan.

Sinking Ship has been on something of a hiring spree lately, bringing on Mehmet Gunduz in a new position as manager of TV sales for Latin America, Central Europe, Eastern Europe and the Middle East and Africa. The company also appointed Jennifer Lee Hackett as manager of museum and non-theatrical sales last year.