OLESEN DAVIS DE DIOS MEDIA GROUP
Olesen Davis de Dios Media Group brings together a talented collective of storytellers. They come from diverse creative media backgrounds. They are all driven by a shared vision of excellence. We believe in the continuous evolution of communication, constantly refining our craft to deliver compelling narratives that resonate.
Let us help you engage your audience and elevate your brand—schedule your consultation today.
“I’ve worked with Alan on many projects over the years and am always impressed by his level of professionalism, technical skill and creativity.”
– Cody Sheehy, Emmy Award Winning Documentarian
ALAN S. DAVIS
Chief Executive Officer/co-Founder | Chief Cinematographer
ALAN is the co-founder and CEO of Davis de Dios Media, a media production company known for its high-quality videos, photography, social media consulting, and graphic design. Since August 2018, Alan has guided the company’s growth, collaborating with prestigious clients such as Canon USA, the National Science Foundation, and General Tire. Under his leadership, Davis de Dios Media has produced impactful content for educational institutions including the University of Arizona, and Vanderbilt University, and notable projects like the hour-long documentary “Growing Tradition,” highlighting the Tucson Botanical Gardens’ pandemic recovery efforts.
As a professional, Alan has given presentations and workshops on cinematography, video production, and visual storytelling for different institutions, including at the Prescott Film Festival, the University of Arizona, B&H Photo Video Pro Audio, and others.
Alan’s cinematography and visual storytelling expertise is built on a strong foundation of hands-on experience. Before co-founding Davis de Dios Media, he worked as an independent contractor in Southern Arizona, where he contributed to significant projects like “The Modern Zoo,” “Mt. Antero Treasures,” and Canon USA’s web series “Brucie Interrupted.” His early career at the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences involved serving as assistant producer and editor to regional ROCKY MOUNTAIN EMMY Award-winning documentaries “Beyond the Mirage” and “Earthlight” in the Best Topical Documentary category. Alan also produced several stories for the Arizona Public Media’s Arizona Illustrated.
Alan holds a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism with a focus on science journalism from the University of Arizona. His professional skills encompass cinematography, project management, storytelling, and drone videography. He is also a certified drone pilot for commercial filming and has participated in advanced cinematography workshops with B&H and Canon.
This year, Alan co-founded the ODD Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to promoting science storytelling. Funds raised from GROWING Tradition on Amazon will be donated to the ODD Foundation for programming planned to focus on the living desert around us.
Alan’s commitment to high-quality media production and innovative storytelling continues to drive Davis de Dios Media’s success and influence across various sectors. For his dedication to education, conservation, and the Tucson community, Alan was an awardee for Tucson’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2024, presented by the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Snell & Wilmer, Tucson Young Professionals, Arizona Daily Star, and the University of Arizona.
JOHN OUANO de DIOS
Co-founder | Executive Producer
JOHN is a co-founder and the executive producer for Davis de Dios Media. In this role, John merges his expertise in media production with a rich background in visual storytelling to help clients create captivating and engaging campaigns.
John’s career in media began long before his role as co-founder and executive producer at Davis de Dios Media, where he led a team of creative professionals in producing high-impact visual content. Spanning over two decades, John’s media work has included stints as a writer, editor, photographer, video producer, and educator. John has served as a producer for National Geographic and as a trainer and mentor for young and mid-career journalists and visual storytellers worldwide, including as a faculty member for The New York Times. His work with other prominent clients such as the Scientific American Blog Network, the National Science Foundation, Canon USA, and the University of Arizona highlights his ability to craft compelling narratives through photography and cinematography. At Davis de Dios Media, John’s leadership ensures that every project, from editorial photography to promotional videos, maintains a high standard of excellence and visual storytelling.
In addition to his role at Davis de Dios Media, John has contributed his skills to BHD Productions, the Native American Journalists Association, the Asian American Journalists Association, the University of Arizona’s Marketing and Communications Office, and many others. John spent a career as a professional mentor and trainer for students and early-to-mid-career professionals as they sought to improve their marketability and expand their career options. His mentees have gone on to successful careers across many industries, including entertainment, journalism, medicine, law, and even politics.
At BHD Productions, he has worked on significant campaigns, including Canon USA’s #BrucieInterrupted and ARRI’s centennial video. At the University of Arizona, he has been instrumental in shaping the visual identity of major campaigns and events. John was an integral part of a budding department, serving as an unofficial assistant to the department head who went on to become a founding director of a newly established school on campus. John’s resourcefulness and doggedness helped pass multiple initiatives and drive the program to become one of the most active and largest academic units at the University of Arizona.
John’s expertise also extends to academia, where he has served as an external consultant, skills instructor, and mentor for the University of Arizona’s School of Journalism. For almost 10 years, John also directed one of Dow Jones Newspaper Fund’s summer journalism workshops. He was a one-man web-and-social-media machine at the Science Literacy Project/Genetic Literacy Project, based out of Washington, D.C, where he directed digital and social media efforts. In this role, he helped grow the Science Literacy Project’s audience by tens of thousands, often peaking well over 100k website visits — a major feat for the small and relatively new organization. John’s vision and panache for creative problem-solving highlight his ability to drive growth and enhance the client’s public profile.
With bachelor’s degrees in science and arts from the University of Arizona, John combines a solid scientific background with advanced skills in media production.
John is also a huge animal lover, enjoying the company of dogs, cats, snakes, and everything else.
JONATHAN R. OLESEN
Partner | Chief Operating Officer
LOS ANGELES OFFICE
JONATHAN is a partner and chief operating officer with Davis de Dios Media. He brings a blend of entrepreneurial acumen and financial expertise to the organization. With a background in business and marketing, Jonathan plays a pivotal role in overseeing the Foundation’s fiscal responsibilities and ensuring the economic health of its diverse projects.
Jonathan’s journey in the business world began while still a college student at the University of Arizona. While still a college student, Jonathan became a partner for Davis de Dios Media. Joining the team as a producer, he oversaw the contractors and talent used for various campaigns and creative projects. During the pandemic, Jonathan expanded his business experiences in retail. He jumped into buying and selling used items from smartphones and tables to designer clothes and shoes. Recently, Jonathan founded SSC Designs, a startup specializing in adhesive products, to sell on Amazon and other online retail spaces. His hands-on experience in managing and growing small startups has honed his skills in strategic financial planning and business operations. Jonathan’s educational background in marketing and business administration provides him with a solid financial management and organizational leadership foundation.
Jonathan’s analytical mindset and quick decision-making skills were honed on the mat through years as a competitive wrestler. This learned skillset translates seamlessly into his role at the ODD Foundation. His ability to think on his feet and approach problems with creative solutions is a valuable asset in navigating the complex financial landscape of a non-profit organization.
Jonathan also serves as the treasurer and chief operating officer of the ODD Foundation, where he is responsible for managing the ODD Foundation’s financial strategies. He will also ensure the Foundation’s transparency, and align fiscal policies with the organization’s mission. His proactive approach and strategic insight contribute significantly to the Foundation’s ability to execute its projects effectively and sustain its long-term goals. Jonathan’s commitment to excellence and dynamic problem-solving skills are key to advancing Davis de Dios Media’s impact and success.
Jonathan oversees our contracted crew members in Tucson and at the satellite offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
“I have tremendous respect for John de Dios in his work… and his ability to create valuable linkages between people who have shared personal and professional interests and values.”
– La Monica Everett-Haynes, PhD, Associate Vice President
and chief communications officer at San Diego State University
MERCY
Talent and Director of Snuggles
MERCY is a 9-year-old Staffordshire Terrier and Black Labrador mix who is often on set during different commercial productions. Mercy has been published in books, magazines, TV commercials, and digital and social media campaigns.
Mercy loves the beach, hiking up mountains, car rides, and adventures.
GAËL BAUP
Second Camera || Visual Effects Artist || On-Camera Talent and Content Creator
Gaël Baup is an international visual effects artist from France who joined the Olesen Davis de Dios Media Group in early 2025. Gaël is a multi-talented creator who will produce VFX packages and content creation for the ODD Group moving forward. Gaël was recruited after his student film caught the team’s attention in early 2024. Gaël also joins the team with a talent agreement to be managed by Jonathan Olesen and the ODD Media Group’s Night Artists talent management group.
JOHN SCHINDLER
Production Assistant || On-Camera Talent and Content Creator
John Schindler BIO coming soon
EMILY R. LAKE
Web and Graphic Design
Emily Lake is a world-class graphic and web designer whose skills have brought life to many websites and legacy media from newspapers, and magazines to customized e-commerce and business websites. Her eye for color and design breathes a harmonious flow into her work. Emily is a proud mom of three energetic young boys and is also a voracious reader in her spare time!
CALEB TELLEZ
Post Production Coordinator and Script Writer || LOS ANGELES
Caleb Tellez joins the team from Los Angeles, California. Caleb has worked in the TV and movie industries as a post-production coordinator and brings his network-production experience and writing to our clients nationally. During his time in Hollywood, Caleb has worked on popular productions, including Tales of the Walking Dead, SEAL Team, an upcoming big-budgetted feature film for Netflix, and others. Caleb, who also graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism at the UAz School of Journalism, is a graduate of the Groundlings School in Los Angeles.
“Mr. de Dios’ technological knowledge and skill set is vast, including design, audio, video and still photography.”
– Evan pellegrino, Unit Head,
new york city mayor’s office of management and budget
STUDENTS & ACADEMY
Spanish Production Apprentice (2023)
Diana Carolina Ramos Sacaria is a graduate student-athlete at the University of Arizona, studying Latin American Studies. She spent her undergraduate years as a track star, competing in the high jump, and earned a bachelor’s degree in global journalism studies from the University of Arizona School of Journalism. She has been published in the Arizona Daily Star.
Production Apprentice (2022 – 2023)
Joseph Wang is a graduate student from Southern California studying remotely in Tucson. He apprentices with the video production team, specializing in audio and focus-pulling skills. Joseph has been a welcome addition to the team and has been a constant presence in many of our productions, even amidst his busy graduate school schedule.
Video Production Intern (2020)
Alyssa Grabinski is a recent graduate of The University of Arizona School of Journalism, with an emphasis in broadcast journalism. In 2020, Alyssa was our first video intern, working closely with Alan Davis after initially meeting with both John and Alan. Through the course of her internship during the pandemic, Alyssa produced an online video series interviewing professionals from the entertainment and fashion industries. Alyssa has fielded job offers in California and New York and has also been accepted into the graduate program at the Medill School of Journalism, Media, and Integrated Marketing Communications.
“Creativity, enthusiasm, a strong work ethic, and solid artistic technique are all traits that I look for in people I employ. If your project could benefit from these same characteristics I think you would do well to work with {Davis de Dios Media}…”
– Bruce Dorn, Director’s Guild of America
