Zello Acquires Cinelease Lighting, Grip Rental Firm

Zello, a private investment platform focused on the entertainment industry, has acquired Cinelease, a leading lighting and grip rental company, from Herc Rentals. Cinelease, with a 45-year legacy and operations across major U.S. and Canadian production hubs, will continue as a standalone company led by veterans Mark Lamberton, Chris Rogers, and Gannon Murphy. Zello aims to leverage Cinelease’s established relationships and equipment inventory to support the growing global demand for film and television production, while investing in modernization and expansion. The acquisition reflects Zello’s strategic commitment to strengthening infrastructure for content creation amid changing industry dynamics, including shifts in studio spending and production activity. Both Zello’s CEO Louis Dargenzio and Cinelease’s leadership emphasized honoring the company’s trusted service reputation and driving innovation for production partners. This move positions Zello to deepen its footprint in entertainment production services and support the evolving needs of filmmakers and crews.