We’ve been producing events for 50 years, but how did it all start? Let’s take a look back at how two Midwest production companies joined together to create the nation’s leading experience engagement firm.
Co-Founder Dave Mead builds his first audio system and begins renting to local bands under the name Sound Advocate.
Sound Advocate provides mobile recording services for QFM for a series of concerts at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, including AC/DC, Cheap Trick and Aerosmith. One of the Aerosmith tracks later appeared on their live album, ‘Sight for Sore Eyes’!
Rusty Ranney builds his first stage lighting system and begins sub-contracting to Sound Advocate, renting to local bands under the name of LightingMasters.
Co-Founder Dave Mead builds his first audio system and begins renting to local bands under the name Sound Advocate.
Sound Advocate provides mobile recording services for QFM for a series of concerts at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, including AC/DC, Cheap Trick and Aerosmith. One of the Aerosmith tracks later appeared on their live album, ‘Sight for Sore Eyes’!
Rusty Ranney builds his first stage lighting system and begins sub-contracting to Sound Advocate, renting to local bands under the name of LightingMasters.
Sound Advocate develops their first proprietary full range speaker cabinets called the Q3. Interestingly there are still 20 cabinets hanging in the Ohio State Fairgrounds Colosseum!
Iacono is born! The company starts as a Photography Studio, led primarily by Tobi and Mike Iacono, shooting for name brands such as Kings Island, McAlpins and Shillitos.
Before the days of PowerPoint, Iacono leads the way in projection imaging for stage presentations as part of small event productions, working with such brands as Folgers, JIF and Duncan Hines.
Stage Tech Inc. and LightingMasters provide audio and lighting for numerous band world tours, including 7 tours in Australia and New Zealand. Over a 7-year span, they do shows in 17 different countries!
Iacono Photography and Production Services moves from its modest 407 Plum Street location to its new, four floor home at 412 Central Avenue in Cincinnati.
Dave Mead and Rusty Ranney formalize their working relationship, combining Sound Advocate and LightingMasters into Stage Tech Lighting, Inc.
Iacono adds a new service to the company, Video Production. As seen here, the staff both produced AND participated in this ambitious outdoor shoot.
Iacono is born! The company starts as a Photography Studio, led primarily by Tobi and Mike Iacono, shooting for name brands such as Kings Island, McAlpins and Shillitos.
Sound Advocate develops their first proprietary full range speaker cabinets called the Q3. Interestingly there are still 20 cabinets hanging in the Ohio State Fairgrounds Colosseum!
Before the days of PowerPoint, Iacono leads the way in projection imaging for stage presentations as part of small event productions, working with such brands as Folgers, JIF and Duncan Hines.
Stage Tech Inc. and LightingMasters provide audio and lighting for numerous band world tours, including 7 tours in Australia and New Zealand. Over a 7-year span, they do shows in 17 different countries!
Iacono Photography and Production Services moves from its modest 407 Plum Street location to its new, four floor home at 412 Central Avenue in Cincinnati.
Dave Mead and Rusty Ranney formalize their working relationship, combining Sound Advocate and LightingMasters into Stage Tech Lighting, Inc.
Iacono adds a new service to the company, Video Production. As seen here, the staff both produced AND participated in this ambitious outdoor shoot.
Stage Tech Lighting adds Light Wave Research Intellabeams to rental stock and becomes the first production company in Ohio to offer moving lights for rental. Shortly after the purchase, Stage Tech Lighting goes on tour with DeeLite. Remember, “Groove is in the Heart?”
Iacono exhibits at their first DSA Annual Meeting. Work within this industry will fuel their business success for the next several decades.
Stage Tech Inc. and Stage Tech Lighting purchase Audio Image to bring Retail and Installation to the company.
Iacono contracts with Stage Tech Lighting to build a 3D, scaled model of its set design for the 1996 Longaberger Bee, “Light the Fire Within.” Stage Tech Lighting also provided equipment and technical services for Iacono.
Merging all related interests into one company, LIVE! Technologies, Inc. is born!
3dx Scenic Studio is formed – the fabrication arm of Iacono Productions. Starting in a Blue Ash warehouse on Cornell Road, this small, crafty team built scenery to support Iacono’s live events business.
Stage Tech Lighting adds Light Wave Research Intellabeams to rental stock and becomes the first production company in Ohio to offer moving lights for rental. Shortly after the purchase, Stage Tech Lighting goes on tour with DeeLite. Remember, “Groove is in the Heart?”
Iacono exhibits at their first DSA Annual Meeting. Work within this industry will fuel their business success for the next several decades.
Stage Tech Inc. and Stage Tech Lighting purchase Audio Image to bring Retail and Installation to the company.
Iacono contracts with Stage Tech Lighting to build a 3D, scaled model of its set design for the 1996 Longaberger Bee, “Light the Fire Within.” Stage Tech Lighting also provided equipment and technical services for Iacono.
Merging all related interests into one company, LIVE! Technologies, Inc. is born!
3dx Scenic Studio is formed – the fabrication arm of Iacono Productions. Starting in a Blue Ash warehouse on Cornell Road, this small, crafty team built scenery to support Iacono’s live events business.
Iacono produces its highest earning revenue event at the time for Nu Skin Enterprises. The branded scope was the impetus for creating the company’s new large-format print division, XLP.
Iacono produces an Emmy awards winning documentary on the Rozzi family fireworks company.
An award-winning year for the Creative Services department who completes their first full-length feature documentary and promotional video to introduce HondaJet.
Iacono introduces Keynote, a new presentation software package from Apple to compete with Microsoft’s PowerPoint.
Iacono produces its highest earning revenue event at the time for Nu Skin Enterprises. The branded scope was the impetus for creating the company’s new large-format print division, XLP.
Iacono produces an Emmy awards winning documentary on the Rozzi family fireworks company.
Iacono introduces Keynote, a new presentation software package from Apple to compete with Microsoft’s PowerPoint.
An award-winning year for the Creative Services department who completes their first full-length feature documentary and promotional video to introduce HondaJet.
3dx adds new automation to their inventory, including a Waterwall that uses programmed graphic images to create wow moments for onlookers.
LIVE! moves to 3445 Millennium Court, doubling its square footage to 65,000.
Following the major expansion of JBL sound systems, L!VE adds this capability to provide sound for multiple arena shows simultaneously.
As the company grows, so does the warehouse. Iacono adds a 12,000 sq ft annex to its Blue Ash facility.
Iacono moves their office from downtown Cincinnati to Blue Ash. With this unique building fueling a creative mindset, Iacono continues their Agency journey.
3dx adds new automation to their inventory, including a Waterwall that uses programmed graphic images to create wow moments for onlookers.
LIVE! moves to 3445 Millennium Court, doubling its square footage to 65,000.
As the company grows, so does the warehouse. Iacono adds a 12,000 sq ft annex to its Blue Ash facility.
Following the major expansion of JBL sound systems, L!VE adds this capability to provide sound for multiple arena shows simultaneously.
Iacono moves their office from downtown Cincinnati to Blue Ash. With this unique building fueling a creative mindset, Iacono continues their Agency journey.
LIVE! Technologies acquires Iacono Productions & 3dx in 2019.
The combination of these teams makes L!VE the region’s largest event agency and production partner.
LIVE! Technologies acquires Iacono Productions & 3dx in 2019.
The combination of these teams makes L!VE the region’s largest event agency and production partner.
Mike Iacono, founder of Iacono, retires in December of 2019 after a brief transitional period following the Live! Technologies’ acquisition earlier in the year.
Mike Iacono, founder of Iacono, retires in December of 2019 after a brief transitional period following the Live! Technologies’ acquisition earlier in the year.
Live! Technologies and Iacono rebrand together as simply L!VE. A new logo and brand guidelines help elevate the overall position of the company within the industry.
IntelliEvent becomes L!VE’s new inventory management software. The company had used R2 since 2004.
L!VE produces Pampered Chef’s first hybrid event following the pandemic. Consultants from across the nation come together for big announcements, top-notch training, and unforgettable recognition at the Wintrust Arena in downtown Chicago.
L!VE’s 1000th show with Jeff Dunham!
L!VE divests their fabrication division, 3dx Scenic, focusing their efforts on the live event space.
A lot has changed over the past 50 years, but our mission to build a collection of storied moments, beautifully expressed and humanely told continues to guide us. Check out the full story below!
Live! Technologies and Iacono rebrand together as simply L!VE. A new logo and brand guidelines help elevate the overall position of the company within the industry.
IntelliEvent becomes L!VE’s new inventory management software. The company had used R2 since 2004.
L!VE produces Pampered Chef’s first hybrid event following the pandemic. Consultants from across the nation come together for big announcements, top-notch training, and unforgettable recognition at the Wintrust Arena in downtown Chicago.
L!VE’s 1000th show with Jeff Dunham!
L!VE divests their fabrication division, 3dx Scenic, focusing their efforts on the live event space.
A lot has changed over the past 50 years, but our mission to build a collection of storied moments, beautifully expressed and humanely told continues to guide us. Check out the full story below!