The collaboration of two industry experts has given rise to a successful group of companies, redefining excellence in various fields. In 2019, Steff Jones and David Stevens established Production Zync, a leader of innovation and excellence in the live event production industry.
Having served nearly three decades for the United Kingdom’s most prominent network, ITV, known for many iconic British shows, Stevens has been a driving force in the industry. As the former head of lighting and scenic at the renowned network, he managed over 150 staff, overseeing the delivery and execution of some of the world’s most significant live shows.
Stevens’ impressive track record includes collaborations with platinum-selling artists and major late-night shows. After ITV’s studio complex was closed, Stevens joined forces with Jones as the production manager and managing director for Production Zync’s global operations.
“It was around ITV’s closure that I crossed paths with Steff, whom I had known through his work within the television projects at the studios. Recognizing the potential for collaboration, we decided to venture into a new chapter by establishing Production Zync,” the industry veteran shared.
Jones, the president of production, plays a vital role in this collaboration, as he also takes the lead as the company’s production lead and executive producer across all its projects. With a rich experience in planning, delivering, and executing global-scale projects, he has left his mark on huge live event and broadcast projects and various global brands. Starting with a quiz show pilot at 21, he has since produced diverse live shows in the UK and the US.
Jones’ motivation to embark on a journey in the entertainment industry started when he was a teenager. He spent countless hours at the local theater during evenings, weekends, and school holidays, where he immersed himself in the art of lighting. This exposure allowed him to hone his lighting skills and connect with industry professionals. This networking led to more opportunities, eventually enabling him to contribute to some of the biggest shows in the UK.
After graduating with first honors from Ravensbourne University London with a degree in broadcast, Jones diversified into production management, overseeing corporate events and television projects. “Our venture has been a whirlwind success. After amassing experience working with major brands on sizable projects, we made significant strides in the industry. This enabled Production Zync to become a prominent player in both the UK and US markets,” the global production president states.
Under the leadership of the dynamic duo, Production Zync provides complete 360 production solutions, managing everything from arena concerts and global touring to flagship television shows. The company has become a go-to source for creative production solutions in the live entertainment space, having worked with big names in the industry, such as Colombian singer J Balvin, electronic music group Swedish House Mafia, and superstar Mariah Carey. Together, they lead Production Zync’s global production division, overseeing the end-to-end planning, delivery, production management, and execution of live shows across various territories.
In March 2020, Production Zync partnered with a leading LED design and manufacturer to establish Sphere Labs, a company specializing in creating and providing the world’s first bespoke high-resolution LED spheres. These cutting-edge spheres offer waterproof features, live camera capabilities, custom motion graphics, wayfinding, and interactive capabilities.
Sphere Labs provides rental and sales packages, expert services, and support through specialist technicians and crew. The company aims to be a driving force in the entertainment industry with its expertise in technical production, lighting, audio, video, staging, special effects, trucking, logistics, and crew.
Continuing their trajectory of innovation, Jones and Stevens co-founded Investor Labs in April 2020. This entity focuses on acquisitions and investments in the entertainment, digital, and technology sectors. The Investor Labs portfolio reflects a strategic approach, with investments in media and entertainment with lawyer Clive Rich’s LawBite company alongside ventures like ScreenLabs, Veluba, PropertyLabs, Production Zync, and Sphere Labs. It’s significant to mention that Clive Rich has played a crucial role in negotiating and brokering more than £10 billion worth of global deals, which included the successful development of Simon Cowell’s ‘Syco’ TV Joint venture with Sony BMG.
Reflecting on how they reinforce each other’s strengths and weaknesses to propel the group of companies to the forefront of the broader landscape, they remarked, “We’re polar opposites in many aspects, but it’s precisely this diversity in skills, working styles, and personalities that forms the bedrock of our successful relationship.”
Ultimately, the synergy between David Stevens and Steff Jones has not only resulted in the success of Production Zync, Sphere Labs, and Investor Labs but has also contributed to the evolution and innovation of the live shows and entertainment production industry. Their combined expertise, strategic vision, and commitment to excellence have created a lasting impact on the landscape of global entertainment.
Published by: Khy Talara
