Jon Stojan
Picture this: You’re at Coachella, watching Swedish House Mafia while 100,000 fans lose their minds. Or maybe you’re witnessing an Elton John performance at his acclaimed Academy Awards post-show party. Behind these jaw-dropping moments? There’s a good chance it’s Steff Jones, the British production wizard who’s quietly become one of LA’s hottest and successful production executives.
At 36, Jones @steffhyweljones runs the show, literally, for some of the biggest names in entertainment. As a Production Executive working with production companies such as Infinity Marketing Team, he’s the guy Artists, Talent, Brands, and production companies call when they need magic to happen in terms of end-to-end production. And with over a $100 million total production budget under his watch, magic is exactly what he delivers.
“Every show is a blank canvas,” Jones says. “The moment those first notes hit, you see months of planning coalesce into one unforgettable experience.”
Jones’s phone constantly buzzes throughout the day. He’s juggling texts about upcoming projects for Disney while fielding calls about Revolve Festival or a concert with Gwen Stefani. This is normal for him. Yesterday he was finalizing details for a Spotify arena show; tomorrow he’ll be scouting venues for an Amazon Network Up-fronts.
The London native built his empire one impossible production at a time. At 21, fresh out of Ravensbourne University with a broadcasting degree, he landed a gig on a BBC quiz show. Fast forward 15 years, and he’s the mastermind behind productions for Mariah Carey, Bad Bunny, Lizzo, and even The British Royal Family.
“I’m a people person at heart,” he says, which might be the understatement of the year. His Instagram is a who’s who of music royalty — selfies with J Balvin here, behind-the-scenes shots with Megan Thee Stallion there.
But here’s what sets Jones apart in cutthroat Hollywood: He genuinely seems to love what he does. When asked about his craziest production challenge, his excitement is obvious. “Buckingham Palace,” he grins. “You’re dealing with centuries of protocol, then you pivot to Coachella where it’s pure creative chaos. Both need to be perfect.”
What makes Jones stand out in an industry built on burnout: He still gets animated talking about production challenges. Ask about his toughest gig, and he said many come to mind, between complex logistics across various festival sites like Made in America, and Bottle Rock, to Buckingham Palace. ‘You’re navigating centuries of protocol one day, then next week you’re juggling multiple projects and complex logistics at Coachella where it’s pure creative chaos,’ he says. ‘Both have to be flawless.’
His secret? Treating every show like it’s personal. Whether it’s 20 VIPs at an intimate brand event or 50,000 screaming fans at LA Pride (where he produced both Mariah and Megan Thee Stallion’s performances a couple of years back), Jones approaches each project with the same intensity.
“Technology has moved on so much,” he explains, getting animated about VR integration and livestreaming capabilities. But he’s quick to add: “Tech should amplify the experience, not replace it. If it doesn’t deepen the connection for people in the room, we don’t use it.”
The production world is notoriously male-dominated and stress-inducing, but Jones has built a reputation for fostering inclusive and creative teams. “I’m blessed to work with so many of the best in the business,” he says, rattling off partnerships with creative directors, executive producers, and production designers like he’s naming old friends, which, essentially, they are. He’s fostered relationship with the best in the business. From direct relationships with major artist managers, to producers that work on shows such ad The Oscars, and Grammys, to directors who work with Beyonce and Lady Gaga.
His colleagues rave about him. “Steff brings so much to us every day, always with a laugh and ultra-professional attitude,” says Claudio Gutierrez, CEO of CG Creative Studios, where Jones also serves as Global Director of Production. “I’m incredibly fortunate to have him overseeing our shows.”
These days, Jones splits his time between multiple high-profile contracts — Infinity Marketing Team, NVE Experience Agency, CG Creative — somehow managing to give each his full attention. His recent credits read like a music fan’s dream diary: executive producing the Grammys’ Spotify activation, overseeing collaborations and performances with Jimmy Fallon’s iconic talk show on NBC, and managing that viral Swedish House Mafia x The Weeknd Coachella moment.
But success, for Jones, isn’t measured in Instagram likes or industry accolades. “When attendees, artists, brands, or clients recall a moment of surprise, delight, or energy that they can’t stop talking about — that’s the real measure,” he says.
Though the workday winds down, Jones has work to do — there’s a conference call with Tokyo about an upcoming production. When asked what keeps him going after all these years, all these shows, all this pressure, he pauses thoughtfully.
That British charm on full display, he responds: “I never know exactly what tomorrow will bring. No two days are ever the same in my world.” Then he’s gone, off to create the next moment that’ll have us all talking.