Washington Hispanic Media Association

Mario Zavaleta is a TV producer, documentary director and photojournalist with more than two decades of experience in Mexico and the United States.  Born in Mexico City, Mario immigrated to the United States in 1986, where he resides in the Pacific Northwest.  As a TV News producer and photojournalist, Mario has researched, coordinated and developed many news and feature stories affecting Latinos throughout Washington, Oregon and Alaska for UNIVISION Network, for which he has collaborated with for over 18 years. His work includes stories for Primer Impacto, Noticiero Univision, Aquí y Ahora, Sábado Gigante and El Show de Cristina.  Since 2008, Mario has also been producing regional content for V-me TV, the Spanish educational television in Washington State, for which he has produced short form programming on topics ranging from Latino business in the Northwest and Hispanic voter engagement, to cultural topics and Latino arts and music. In addition, Mario has produced for other TV and Radio networks such as CNN Network, TV Globo Network and Radio Red Network in Mexico City; as well as for other local stations such as KCTS Channel 9 and Fisher Communications. 

In response to the need of the rapidly growing Spanish speaking population in our region, in 1997 Mario Zavaleta founded Latino Northwest Communications, a video production company specialized in the Latino community, which required a company that understood the values, culture and could properly portray Latinos of the Northwest. Latino Northwest Communications' portfolio includes, educational, corporate and promotional videos produced for organizations such as Seattle Children's, King County, Department of Commerce - Census Bureau, Consejo Counseling and Referral Service, Columbia Legal Services, Washington State Bar Association Leadership Institute and Lutheran Community Services among others. 

Mario also founded and directed Latino Northwest Magazine, the first full color bilingual publication reflecting the culture, contributions and concerns of Latinos in Washington, Oregon and Alaska (published from 1998 to 2003).  Mario Zavaleta's principles are to utilize his communications skills with his greatest passion, dedication and professionalism to educate and empower our community. He is ready to contribute with his more than 25 years of experience working in the media with the highest standards of quality, to make WAHMA a solid, honest and commendable organization representing the Latino/Hispanic media in our state.