Message gets through

Kym Illman founded Messages on Hold in his Scarborough flat in 1988 and, together with wife Tonya, built it up to be one of the world’s largest on-hold audio producers.

Best known for its ambush marketing at sporting matches and media events, the company has created many head-aches for TV cameramen around the world. It regularly receives video footage and photos from people around the world who have sported the Messages on Hold logo before the cameras.

“It’s a cheap way to get advertising. If I paid for the air time it would cost thousands of dollars,” Mr Illman said.

The company turns over $4 million annually and sells its products to countries, including New Zealand and Fiji and is making a push into Singapore.