Special Effects Int’l Acquires Company, Launches new Division

Zoltán Szmodits (left) and Zsolt Kassai.

The new business unit’s goal is to provide high-quality technical solutions for festivals, roadshows and concerts internationally, the company tells the Budapest Business Journal. With the addition of the new unit, Special Effects now has six standalone divisions.  

Both the acquisition and the establishment of the new business unit is part of the company’s long-term strategy, and have been preceded by several other acquisitions and a comprehensive organizational restructuring over the last few years.

One such acquisition was that of the Dubai-based Kraftwerk Design & Production agency last year, allowing Special Effects to expand its market presence in Europe, United States, and Asia, to the Arabic markets.  

“Mobil Audio and Light has been our partner since its establishment,” says Zsolt Kassai, general manager of Special Effects International.  

“Our colleagues have built a rapport over the last two decades that will help the quick integration of the team of 20 full-time employees and lay a solid foundation for future growth.”

Large-scale

As was the case with the Kraftwerk transaction, the management will not change; the new business unit will be headed by Zoltán Szmodits, the former owner of Mobil Audio and Light Kft. The Touring & Live Entertainment division will be able to provide services for large-scale concerts as well as outdoor events to the highest standards, Special Effects says.

Since its establishment in 1999, Mobil Audio and Light has provided services to numerous high-profile events such as a joint involving UEFA (the Union of European Football Associations, European soccer’s governing body) and MLSZ (the Hungarian Football Federation) press conference at the Ministry of Interior, and even the Sziget Festival.

“Special Effects provides a stable base for a prosperous operation in every aspect,” Szmodits says.

“Its international clientele and extensive business experience will guarantee further market expansion and professional advancement. Leaving the daily duties of company management behind, despite managing bigger resources than before, I can focus again on customer relations and innovations to assure the progress of the department and Special Effects,” he adds.

Based in Hungary but with offices in Dubai, Germany, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and the United States, Special Effects now has 37 years of experience, is present at more than 2,800 events per year, and has approximately 120 employees.  

Its lineup of business divisions is now: Creative Event Design, Event Production, Exhibition & Installation, Hotel AV Services, International Events and Touring & Live Entertainment.  

Special Effects is a member of the AV Alliance and Congress Rental Network, as well as a three-time winner of the network’s Member of the Year Award, and a holder of the alliance’s Best Selling Performance Award.