At Sierra Media Productions, people often ask us how we have evolved from a production company founded in 1993 into a full-service media, marketing, and podcasting agency serving clients across the country.
The truth? It has never been about having the biggest team. It is about having the right people.
Over the years, SMP has built a trusted network of creative professionals, strategists, technical experts, storytellers, producers, editors, photographers, videographers, and problem-solvers who help bring our clients’ visions to life. Some have been part of our journey for years. Others represent the next generation helping shape where we are headed. Together, they form the extended SMP family - the people behind the productions, campaigns, podcasts, and content that make an impact.
Monalisa Johnson | Founder & CEO
Every story has a beginning, and ours starts with Monalisa Johnson. She co-founded Sierra Media Productions in 1993 with a passion for visual storytelling and a belief that media should do more than simply look good - it should connect people, inspire action, and deliver results.
Over the last three decades, she has guided SMP through the ever-changing worlds of production, media, marketing, and communications, helping the company evolve while staying true to its purpose. Known for her ability to see both the big picture and the smallest details, Monalisa remains deeply involved in client strategy, business development, creative direction, and the relationships that have become the foundation of the company.
She often jokes that she has held every position in the company at one point or another - camera assistant, producer, account manager, editor, coffee runner, therapist, and occasionally professional plate-spinner. Anyone who has worked with her knows that is probably not far from the truth.
Marlise Wilson | Creative Director & Media Strategist
If Monalisa built the foundation, Marlise Wilson is helping build the future. As Creative Director and Media Strategist, Marlise combines creative vision with a deep understanding of technology, data, and emerging media.
A graduate of Gnomon School of Visual Effects, Games & Animation in Los Angeles, one of the nation’s most respected institutions for digital arts and technology, she brings both artistic talent and technical expertise to SMP. In addition to leading creative initiatives, Marlise plays a key role in developing innovative systems that help both SMP and its clients work smarter - from building custom dashboards and streamlining workflows to implementing AI-driven tools and automation. Her work ensures that creativity is not just beautiful, it is efficient, measurable, and scalable.
“Technology should never replace creativity. It should remove the obstacles that keep creativity from doing its job.”Marlise Wilson, Creative Director & Media Strategist
That philosophy has become a guiding principle for many of SMP’s modern processes, helping clients leverage technology without losing the human connection that makes great storytelling work. Around the office, she is also known as the person everyone calls when a dashboard breaks, software refuses to cooperate, or someone says, “There has to be an easier way to do this.” Usually, she is right.
Our Extended Team
One of the greatest strengths of Sierra Media Productions is that we are not confined by a traditional agency model. Instead, we have spent decades building relationships with talented production crews, editors, designers, photographers, videographers, engineers, writers, and specialists who we trust completely.
These collaborators have worked alongside us on productions large and small - from executive interviews and podcasts to live events, advertising campaigns, and national productions. Many of these partnerships have lasted for years. Some have become friendships. All of them share a commitment to excellence and professionalism. When clients work with SMP, they gain access to an experienced network assembled specifically to meet the needs of their project. Because great work is not about how many people appear on an organizational chart. It is about having the right people in the room when it matters.
The People Behind the Work
Alex Antevski
Editor / VFX
Alex Wiltz
Editor / Animator
Christian Foster
Visual Director, Set and Stage Designer
Denise Adams
Media Planner
Martine Charles
Communications Director / Publicist
Mark Anthony
Fractional Director of Ad Ops
Dex Williams
Video Director
A Team Story We Still Laugh About
Every team has a story that gets told over and over. One of ours started with what was supposed to be a simple production day. A crew member arrived with the wrong power adapter. Someone else realized a key cable had been left behind. Meanwhile, the schedule shifted, the weather changed, and lunch somehow disappeared from the plan entirely. In other words, it was one of those days.
But here is what happened next. Nobody panicked. Someone found a workaround. Someone made a call. Someone borrowed equipment. Someone solved a problem nobody else knew existed. The production stayed on schedule and the client never knew there had been a challenge in the first place.
Today, whenever something unexpected happens, somebody inevitably says, “Well, at least it is not Adapter Day.” Everyone laughs. And then everyone gets back to work. Because if there is one thing we have learned over 30 years, it is that great teams are not defined by everything going right. They are defined by how they respond when things do not.
What We Value
At SMP, our work is guided by a few core principles that have remained consistent since 1993.
Relationships First
Technology changes. Platforms change. Trends change. Relationships last. We believe lasting partnerships are built through trust, transparency, and delivering on our promises.
Curiosity Always
The media landscape never stops evolving. Neither do we. We are constantly learning, experimenting, and exploring new tools, technologies, and ideas to better serve our clients.
Excellence Without Ego
We take our work seriously. Ourselves? Not quite as much. We believe collaboration produces better outcomes than competition, and the best ideas can come from anyone in the room.
Adaptability
From broadcast productions and media buying to podcasting, AI implementation, and strategic content, we have learned that growth requires adaptability. We embrace change while staying grounded in what works.
Accountability
If we are involved, we are invested. We do not simply deliver projects and move on. We care deeply about outcomes, results, and helping our clients succeed.
A Legacy Built on Relationships
More than 30 years after its founding, Sierra Media Productions continues to combine experience, innovation, and trusted partnerships to help organizations tell meaningful stories. Today, that mission spans generations. Founder and CEO Monalisa Johnson continues to lead the company while Creative Director and Media Strategist Marlise Wilson helps shape its future. Together with an incredible network of creative professionals and trusted collaborators, they represent the next chapter of SMP’s story.
We are proud of where we have been. We are excited about where we are going. And we are grateful for the people who continue to make the journey possible. See the full range of what we do or explore the podcast authority program built to turn expertise into a platform.