TLS Productions has been around 60 years, spending most of that time making a name for itself as the go-to firm for auto show lighting. Today it's working to be more than just that.
"We want to continue to serve the auto industry but we want to do more corporate events," says Carl Kedzierski, marketing manager for
TLS Productions. "We recently did a gig with ESPN."
The Ann Arbor-based firm provides sales, rental, and production for the stage part of special events. It does this for all of the major auto shows, such as the
North American International Auto Show in downtown Detroit, and smaller events, such as theater productions.
An ownership change two years ago moved TLS Production's focus from auto show all the time to an effort to diversifying its clientele. The lion’s share of the company’s revenue still comes from auto shows, but its non-auto-show work has grown significantly over the last two years. It’s a trend the company hopes to expand over the next year.
"If lighting and audio can be applied to the event then we’re going for it," Kedzierski says.
TLS Production's employs a core staff of 17 employees and the occasional intern. It also has a stable of 30-45 freelancers it consistently leans on during its busy times. It is currently looking to hire 10 account executives across the U.S., including one in each the Ann Arbor-area and Metro Detroit markets.
Source: Carl Kedzierski, marketing manager for TLS Productions
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
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