Tell us a bit about your organization and what your specialty is in the film and video space.
At Hubwav Media, we live where culture, community, and storytelling collide. Founded in 2016, we’ve grown into a production house that creates everything from digital-first social media campaigns for Fortune 500 brands to broadcast commercials.
Our specialty is taking social-first content and elevating it to award-winning storytelling. Whether it’s our flagship show Mando & Friends, now four seasons deep with over a billion impressions, or original campaigns like Guac Sports, our focus is always the same: tell authentic, culture-driven stories that bring people together and leave a lasting impact.
What is your organization’s ethos and how does it set you apart from industry competitors?
Our ethos is simple: lead with culture, elevate community, and tell stories that matter. At Hubwav, everything starts with culture and community. Our goal has always been to create stories that feel real, that people can see themselves in, and that bring us closer together.
What makes us different is how we blend that authenticity with high-level production. We’re not just making content to fill a feed, we’re building moments that resonate on the platforms where people actually spend their time. That balance of cultural insight and premium storytelling is what sets us apart.
How can people join or learn more about what you do?
The easiest way to see what we’re up to is to follow me on Instagram at @mandofresko. You’ll get a front-row seat to the projects, the shows, and the behind-the-scenes moments that bring our stories to life.
For a deeper look at everything Hubwav Media is creating — from digital campaigns to broadcast-level productions — head to hubwavmedia.com. That’s where you can see the full scope of our work, watch our shows, and learn more about how we bring ideas to life.
Tell us about your Telly Award winning piece. What’s the story behind it?
Our Telly Award-winning piece, Guac Sports, started with a simple idea: celebrate how food brings people together, especially around big cultural moments like the Super Bowl. We wanted to flip the traditional sports campaign on its head. Instead of just talking to football fans, we put the customers in the spotlight as the “athletes” and made the food the focal point — the real star of the show.
The series features authentic in-store moments and a mix of fun challenges, from guacamole scoop contests to trivia and grocery aisle showdowns. With me hosting alongside fútbol analyst Mariano Trujillo and reporter Livette Ruvalcaba, every episode was designed to be engaging, relatable, and shareable.
At its core, Guac Sports is about community, culture, and celebration. It’s proof that social-first content can be cinematic, thoughtful, and award-worthy, while still being rooted in real-life moments that connect with audiences.
What are you most proud of about this piece? What was your biggest challenge during production and how did you solve it?
What I’m most proud of about Guac Sports is how it put the community front and center. We made real people the stars, the “athletes” of the series, and celebrated the way food brings everyone together. Seeing everyday customers light up on camera and knowing that their stories would connect with a bigger audience is incredibly rewarding.
The biggest challenge was capturing all of that authenticity while still producing something cinematic and polished. Shooting in-store with real customers isn’t as controlled as a studio set, and we had to make sure the energy, timing, and production quality stayed high. We solved it by leaning on our amazing Hubwav team, planning every moment carefully, and staying flexible in the moment, letting real reactions lead the story while keeping the visuals tight and engaging.
Do you have any advice to other filmmakers based on your career or your team’s approach to work?
If I could give advice to other filmmakers, it’s this: focus on the story first, but don’t be afraid to break the rules while you’re telling it. Push yourself and your team creatively, test new ideas, and challenge what’s expected. At Hubwav, we’ve learned that the best work comes when you combine bold thinking with smart execution. Stay hungry, stay curious, and always make the work something you’d be proud to put your name on.
Can you share a behind the scenes story or fun fact about the making of your piece?
On set at Guac Sports, it was tough not to get distracted by all the amazing food around us. Between the freshly made churros, aguas frescas, and, of course, the guacamole for the scoop challenge, staying focused was a real test. It made for a fun, lively set, and you could feel the energy of everyone enjoying the moment while we captured it all.
Tell us about the most memorable response you got from this work.
The most memorable response we got from Guac Sports was how much people connected with seeing real customers as the stars, instead of traditional athletes. Viewers loved that everyday people were in the spotlight, celebrating their communities and enjoying the food. It really reinforced what we’ve always believed: authentic stories with real people resonate far more than polished, expected performances.
Complete this sentence: ‘Great video storytelling is…’
… about connecting with people in a way that feels real. It’s not just about what looks good on camera — it’s about making the audience feel something, see themselves in the story, and be part of the moment. It’s also about challenging ourselves, taking creative risks, and letting that creativity flow to bring fresh, unexpected ideas to life.
