RWS Entertainment Group
RWS Entertainment Group, operating as RWS Global, is a U.S.-based full-service live entertainment and sports production firm delivering ideation-through-operation services to sports properties, cruise lines, theme parks, museums, zoos, and attractions worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What RWS Entertainment Group does
RWS Entertainment Group, doing business as RWS Global, is a U.S.-based, private full-service live entertainment and sports production company founded in 2003 and headquartered in New York. It delivers ideation-through-operation services — creative development, scenic fabrication, talent casting, technical production, and on-site event management — to sports properties, entertainment and media providers, cruise lines, theme parks, museums, zoos, and attractions. The company's core offering is project-based professional services sold as multi-disciplinary production engagements to enterprise clients across multiple experiential verticals.
RWS has expanded its capabilities and footprint through three acquisitions: JRA (a Cincinnati-based visitor experience design firm, November 2021), The Experience Department (TED, an immersive guest experience studio, April 2022), and Harmony Helper (a talent acquisition platform, 2025). In 2026 the company invested in a UK production hub in Milton Keynes to serve European cruise and attraction clients, and entered technology partnerships with Box (for an AI-ready content management platform) and Snapchat (for computer-vision-powered AR overlays, with NC Zoo cited as an early deployment). Underlying technology components are limited: AR via a third-party platform (Snapchat) and AI-adjacent content workflows via a SaaS partner (Box), with no evidence of proprietary models or a data flywheel.
The business model is professional services revenue earned on project or program contracts with enterprise buyers; pricing is not publicly disclosed. Customers include Sydney Kings, Color Line, Fred. Olsen, Merlin, World Fencing League, NC Zoo, Yas Island, Holland America, and IMS Museum, indicating a diversified mix of long-cycle, event- or attraction-based engagements rather than subscription SaaS revenue.
RWS Entertainment Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RWS Entertainment Group
- Website
- https://rwsnyc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- RWS Entertainment Group, operating as RWS Global, is a U.S.-based full-service live entertainment and sports production firm delivering ideation-through-operation services to sports properties, cruise lines, theme parks, museums, zoos, and attractions worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RWS Entertainment Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Live Entertainment Production Services
- NAICS
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Industrial Design Services (54142)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Event Production & Technical Services (AV/Lighting/Staging) (MPAAAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Event Strategy & Experience Design (BPAFAGAA), Corporate Event Production & A/V Services (Staging, Lighting, Sound) (MPAGAHAN), Event Theming, Mood Boards & Concept Design (HSACAOAH)
Keywords
Where RWS Entertainment Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
RWS Entertainment Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Live Entertainment Production Services: Full-service live entertainment production from concept to operation for sports and entertainment venues globally. Revenue generated through project-based engagements with major brands, attractions, cruise lines, and sporting events.
- Experience Design and Fabrication: Creative design, fabrication, and implementation of visitor experiences for attractions and themed entertainment venues.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
RWS Entertainment Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RWS Entertainment Group designs and produces live entertainment and sports experiences from ideation through operation for clients including sports properties, cruise lines, theme parks, attractions, and global brands. Through its subsidiaries it offers visitor experience design (JRA), immersive guest experience design (The Experience Department), mobile communications and payroll tools for entertainment crews (Harmony Helper), and end-to-end live event production (RWS Global).
Product overview
RWS Global operates as a unified platform-plus-services company offering end-to-end live entertainment and sports production. The core offering is RWS Global itself, providing live event production, immersive experiences, and sports entertainment services from ideation to operation globally. The company has expanded through strategic acquisitions including JRA (visitor experience design), The Experience Department/ted (immersive guest experiences, design, fabrication, seasonal entertainment), and Harmony Helper (talent acquisition for performers). These acquired brands operate as specialized divisions within the RWS Global portfolio, enabling the company to offer comprehensive services spanning creative design, fabrication, immersive technology, live production, and talent management—providing a complete value chain from concept development through final execution.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- RWS Global live entertainment production End-to-end live entertainment and sports experience production services from ideation to operation, serving sports properties, cruise lines, attractions, and major brands globally.
- JRA visitor experience design Visitor and guest experience design services including master planning and experience strategy for theme parks, attractions, zoos, and museums. Delivered through JRA, an RWS subsidiary.
- The Experience Department (TED) immersive guest experiences Immersive guest experience design and production including augmented reality tracking experiences and themed environments for attractions, brands, and venues.
- Harmony Helper mobile workforce platform Real-time mobile payroll and crew communications platform built for entertainment production teams, brought into the RWS portfolio through the acquisition of Harmony Helper.
Quantifiable outcome
- Comprehensive service offering from concept to implementation
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use RWS Entertainment Group
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
RWS Entertainment Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability3 records
Feature4 records
RWS Entertainment Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Merlin EntertainmentscorePartnership with Merlin Entertainments and Fever to launch Super Neon, a feel-good immersive experience. This is a multi-partner collaboration combining Merlin's attractions with RWS's production expertise and Fever's experience platform.
- FevercoreFever is a key partner in the Super Neon immersive experience launch, providing the platform for experience discovery and promotion alongside Merlin Entertainments and RWS Global.
- Color LinecoreColor Line partnered with RWS Global to bring new shows to cruises, beginning with Color Magic. RWS Global leads cruise entertainment production for the ferry operator.
- Fred. Olsen Cruise LinescoreFred. Olsen Cruise Lines announced new entertainment partnership with RWS Global, expanding cruise entertainment services to another major cruise operator.
- Sydney KingscoreSydney Kings extended their partnership with RWS Global, continuing live event production and fan experience enhancement for the Australian basketball team.
- SnapchatcoreRWS Global and Snapchat team up on in-stadium AR experiences at global sporting events, combining RWS's live event expertise with Snapchat's augmented reality technology.
- NC ZoocoreRWS Global partnered with North Carolina Zoo to launch groundbreaking AR tracking experience in the upcoming Asia expansion project.
- BoxcoreRWS Global chose Box to power AI-ready content management for live experiences, enabling better content organization and AI capabilities.
- World Fencing LeaguecoreRWS Global to lead live event production for the new World Fencing League, providing comprehensive production services for international fencing competitions.
- Harmony HelpercoreRWS Global acquired Harmony Helper, expanding their suite of entertainment services and talent solutions.
- The Experience Department (ted)coreRWS Entertainment Group acquired The Experience Department (ted), expanding global entertainment services with expertise in immersive guest experiences, design, fabrication, and seasonal entertainment.
- JRAcoreRWS Entertainment Group acquired JRA, a creative studio specializing in visitor experience design. The acquisition enables RWS to create a full-service provider for attractions and entertainment globally, combining RWS's operational expertise with JRA's design capabilities.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
RWS Entertainment Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
RWS Entertainment Group social profiles
Digital presenceRWS Entertainment Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RWS Entertainment Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
RWS Entertainment Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
RWS Entertainment Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RWS Entertainment Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about RWS Entertainment Group
What does RWS Entertainment Group do?
RWS Entertainment Group designs and produces live entertainment and sports experiences from ideation through operation for clients including sports properties, cruise lines, theme parks, attractions, and global brands. Through its subsidiaries it offers visitor experience design (JRA), immersive guest experience design (The Experience Department), mobile communications and payroll tools for entertainment crews (Harmony Helper), and end-to-end live event production (RWS Global).
Is RWS Entertainment Group a public or private company?
RWS Entertainment Group is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was RWS Entertainment Group founded?
RWS Entertainment Group was founded in 2003. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is RWS Entertainment Group based?
RWS Entertainment Group is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does RWS Entertainment Group make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Live Entertainment Production Services are the primary driver. The others are experience Design and Fabrication.
Does RWS Entertainment Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for RWS Entertainment Group.
What industry is RWS Entertainment Group in?
RWS Entertainment Group's product category is Live Entertainment Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAAGAB, Event Production & Technical Services (AV/Lighting/Staging), with a secondary code of BPAFAGAA, Event Strategy & Experience Design. Its NAICS code is 71 and its SIC code is 7900.