Janet Francis, Executive Director, Eastlake Educational Foundation
Mario stepped in and spent months meticulously designing and building a professional-grade studio for us. His Emmy award winning skills and understanding of audio engineering and production workflows ensured that we launched a product that rivaled commercial broadcasts. The podcast has been going strong for 4 years now.
Mario Sevilla served as Volunteer Multimedia and Editorial Consultant, EastLake Educational Foundation
Furthermore, Mario’s professional style has been key to our success. Despite his standing as a communication executive, he is remarkably generous and responsive making himself available whenever needed. He possesses the rare ability to bridge the gap between different levels of experience: he is just as patient and encouraging when teaching a student as he is poised when leading high-profile professional guests. Read more…
La Monica Everett-Haynes, Ph.D., VP, SDSU StratComm
Mario joined Strategic Communications and Public Affairs (StratComm) about nine months ago following a highly competitive search. As Managing Editor and Content Strategist, and with three direct reports, Mario is lead responsible SDSU’s editorial voice and oversees all content for NewsCenter, the university’s centralized location for news. This is one of the most important communications platforms for SDSU, and is regularly read by students, faculty, staff, parents and
families, alumni and members of the media.
In mere months, and though high expectations, Mario implemented notable improvements to headline writing, the use of visuals and overall storytelling, working in collaboration with StratComm and campus partners. These improvements have continued and are the outcome of protocols he has either sustained or put into place around planning, content collaboration and editing. Mario also drives solutions and improvements through a data-informed practice and delves into analytics on a weekly and monthly basis to better understand readership and performance.Mario Sevilla served as SDSU’s Managing Editor and Content Strategist under La Monica Everett-Haynes, Ph.D.
Mario is also a supportive and thoughtful leader and partner. He is highly effective in project planning, team management, creative ideation and developing processes that serve to benefit both individuals and whole departments. Always in his work, he keeps the mission and strategic priorities of the institution top of mind and in the forefront of conversations without limiting individuals in their creativity and personal growth. Read more…
Joel Davis, VP & GM, ABC 10NEWS KGTV
Mario came into a role at a time when healing was needed between the digital and TV news teams. His natural demeanor and ability to collaborate effectively quickly made him successful … Mario also created products based on viewer/user research that showed opportunity to engage in specific areas of interest for our audience … Mario brings a tireless, positive energy to the workplace. Read more…
Mario Sevilla served as ABC 10News Digital Director under Joel Davis
Kimberly Hunt, ABC 10NEWS San Diego Anchor
I’ve worked with Digital Director Mario Sevilla for five years at ABC/10news. Under his expertise and leadership our digital platforms rose to #1 in the market. He also brought in a collaborate environment between news and digital and has an uncommon knowledge of which news stories will be relevant and intriguing to our digital audience. I’m very appreciative for his time and attention to my special reports. For example, as I prepared my story on the world’s smallest whale, the critically endangered Vaquita…Mario expanded the coverage on digital with multiple stories. They ranged from the list of all critically endangered animals, what to know about the Vaquita, organizations working to save the Vaquita, and so on. Afterward he would email me stories updating me on the plight of the Vaquita. I’ve always appreciated the time he’s taken to assist me with my own social accounts, as well.
Mario Sevilla served as ABC 10News Digital Director from 2017-2021
2018 TV NewsCheck: Every Employee Helping Puts KGTV First On Facebook
KGTV, the Scripps ABC affiliate, is first in social media actions in the market over the last six months according to data from audience insight firm Shareablee. KGTV has almost 4 million actions on social, 27% of the total engagement generated by the DMA (No. 29), with more than 14.7 million social actions. KGTV also lead in actions per post with 266 … Mario Sevilla, KGTV’s digital director, says KGTV’s success on Facebook is largely driven by the involvement of every employee who works there. – Paul Greely, TVNewsCheck Media (Read Story)
VISIT TVNEWSCHECK ARTICLE: https://marketshare.tvnewscheck.com/2018/02/06/every-employee-helping-puts-kgtv-first-on-facebook/
Vincent L. Sadusky, President & CEO OF MEDIA GENERAL
Mario is on top of the news and quick to post the news, KRON’s number have increased steadily since his hire date. It is because of him that we are in the top three for ratings with social media. Mario’s dedication for is contagious. He makes you want to be the best you can possibly be, he pushes you, challenges you, not to mention he is extremely patient.
MEDIA GENERAL/KRON4 NEWS: Recipient of ‘Circle of Excellence’ Award 2015
Mario Sevilla served as Executive Producer of Digital at KRON 4 News/Media General
Ashley Messina, VP & GM OF KRON4 NEWS
There is no doubt that Mario has stepped up in a time of need and showcases characteristics that are deserving of such an honor.
· Exhibits leadership skills to overcome challenges, solve problems and achieve results
2015 – KRON4 NEWS: Recipient of ‘Circle of Excellence’ Award 2015
· Taken on a tremendous amount of work
· Always cheerful and happy to be at work
· Helps everyone around him
· Reliable, eager to learn new skills, embraces new technology, embraced change and takes initiative to solve problems
· Treats us all kindly and with respect
· Consistently exhibits an excellent work ethic and the utmost professionalism
· Great mentor, co-worker, and friend
· Always positive, helpful, fast, and smart
· He’s tireless and never complains
· Model employee and inspires a winning attitude
Mario Sevilla served as Executive Producer of Digital at KRON 4 News/Media General
Robin Miller, Editor / Vacaville Reporter
Mario came to The Reporter’s digital advertising department [2012] with a host of tasks to tackle in terms of digital promotions and special projects.
At the time, our newsroom had just lost its only employee with the technical know how for managing much of our website and online news projects. Knowing the shortfall, management allowed us to “borrow” Mario on more than one occasion and in every instance, he helped us to improve our online news product.
Mario Sevilla served as Digital Project Manager, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA NEWSGROUP from 2012-2013
Dan Wong, Director Content Programming
In his short time [2008], Mr. Sevilla has contributed various site enhancements such as the use of live video and blogs, online maps, site redesigns, and has helped increase traffic as a successful reporter on our Arts & Entertainment blog. There are various examples of Mr. Sevilla’s exemplary work but none more impressive than his willingness to take lead in our coverage of an early morning brush fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains. His position as our morning website producer created the unique opportunity to oversee our news coverage of the Bonnie Doon fire.
Mr. Sevilla’s journalistic adeptness, expanse knowledge of online journalism practices and creative talents put MercuryNews.com in a prominent position with popular search engines and helped generate record traffic numbers. Additionally, Mr. Sevilla’s efforts earned a review by a popular web technology magazine.
Furthermore, Mr. Sevilla has volunteered his time to teach our online tools to reporters and editors by participating in workshops and working with them individually. His enthusiasm for “all-things-web” helps create a culture of excitement and possibility.
From online journalist to web architect, Mr. Sevilla is an innovator; he is always finding ways to improve our website by using technology, content, and aesthetic appeal through graphic design and layout techniques.
Mario Sevilla served as Digital Producer, San Jose Mercury News/Bay Area News Group from 2006-2012
PRESS COVERAGE – SANTA CRUZ FIRE MAP, NEWS PRODUCER (2008)
“The San Jose Mercury News has created a My Map to help those near the wildfire that’s currently underway in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The map features live video and reader-submitted photos of the fire, along with information about the affected area and nearby evacuation centers.“
— Posted by Elaine Filadelfo, LatLong Blog Team
Link to map is here: http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9345441
AWARD: Interactive news storytelling (2013)
Other NorCal finalists were another election package by Editorial Page Editor Karen Nolan and Digital Online Editor Mario Sevilla of the Vacaville Reporter.” [OCT 2013]
Other NorCal finalists were Mario Sevilla for the regional election coverage display he developed.” [NOV 2013]
– STEVE BUTTRY, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION EDITOR / DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA
SPJ AWARD: Digital News Producer, Mercury News, Oakland Tribune, Contra Costa Times [2009]
Innovation/Entrepreneurship Award — Oakland Tribune, InsideBayArea.com, for employing the use of multiple platforms to organize on-going stories, along with truly interactive components that lets readers select which story aspects, and in what order, they wish to read, view or listen to. Judges found this series of increasingly improving interactive news packages organized around specific topics to be outstanding examples of emerging media.
— norcalspj.wordpress.com
Mario Sevilla 
