Independent production and AV specialist Hire Frequencies is celebrating its 15th anniversary, marking a journey from small-scale pub gigs to delivering complex hybrid productions for global brands and government clients.
Founded in 2011 by Managing Director Will Smith, while studying Music Systems Engineering in Bristol, the company began with a £6,000 loan, a van full of speakers and a determination to build a reputation through reliability and technical excellence.
“Success in the early days was simple,” says Smith. “If the band sounded great and everyone left happy, that was enough.”
Built organically, scaled strategically
Hire Frequencies launched in the live music and small venue circuit, expanding steadily through repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals. Alongside his studies, Smith managed multiple branches of Currys – experience that would later inform the company’s operational discipline and commercial strategy.
“There was no five-year masterplan,” he says. “We said yes to opportunities and worked out how to deliver them properly.”
As client expectations evolved, so did the business. Rather than operating solely as an audio hire provider, Hire Frequencies expanded into lighting, video, staging and full technical production, responding to growing demand for single-supplier solutions.
“Clients didn’t want fragmented delivery. They wanted one accountable production partner. So we adapted.”
The transition was not without pressure. With no external investment and significant capital expenditure required to expand inventory, growth was self-funded and cash-flow sensitive.
“Scaling a production business is capital-intensive. You’re constantly investing ahead of revenue. It sharpens your commercial thinking very quickly.”
A pivotal moment came through securing NHS event contracts, which provided stable, repeat work and enabled structured reinvestment. By 2013, the company moved into its first warehouse facility, a turning point that marked its shift from freelance operation to established production house.
Delivering at broadcast scale
Over the past five years, Hire Frequencies has significantly expanded its hybrid and broadcast capabilities, reflecting wider shifts across the events industry. The company now delivers multi-camera live streams, global hybrid conferences, brand activations and large-scale experiential events.
Clients include eBay, Diesel, Revolut, Lululemon, Zoopla, Vogue, KPMG and the Ministry of Defence.
In 2025, the team delivered one of its most technically ambitious projects to date: a large-scale hybrid production for eBay Live at MCM Comic Con London. Across three days, Hire Frequencies produced 18 live streams connecting thousands of on-site attendees with global digital audiences, peaking at 13,000 concurrent viewers- all delivered without delay or interruption inside one of the UK’s busiest live event environments.
“That project represents how far both we and the industry have come,” says Smith.“We’ve moved from worrying about affording a new speaker cabinet to designing resilient broadcast infrastructure inside high-density, high-pressure venues.”
Staying grounded in fundamentals
While technology and scale have evolved, Smith maintains that the company’s philosophy remains unchanged.
“Turn up early. Care about detail. Deliver what you promised. Protect your reputation.”
Fifteen years on, Hire Frequencies positions itself as an independent, founder-led production partner focused on technical excellence, operational resilience and long-term client relationships.
“If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be to understand cash flow sooner,” Smith adds. “But I’d also say stick with it. If you’re adaptable and willing to put the work in, you can build something that lasts.”
Author: Sam Hyland
Sam is the assistant content manager for Event Industry News (EIN). Sam is involved in publishing news stories, videos and podcasts. Sam also collates the latest stories for the EIN e-newsletter. If you have a press release or story you think we might be interested to know about please email features@eventindustrynews.com
