Title: Director of Global Marketing
Company: Zones
Location: U.K.
Overtime: When Hillier isn't working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, as well as supporting Manchester United club.
Why You Need to Know Him: Hillier has more than 20 years of experience with sales, distribution, integrators, and manufacturers … and hasn't even turned 39 yet.
Been there, done that.
If there is a slogan for the career of Kiel Hillier, it's just that. In his more than two-decade journey, he has worked in distribution, with integrators, in vendor roles, and now as a director. "I've literally done every area of AV," he said laughing.
In his youth, he tried to keep up with all the latest technology that any child of the 90s would love, including a Nintendo 64 and a DJ deck. However, growing up in the U.K., at 16 he had a choice to make: more school or start his career. “At 17, I walked through the door of a technology distributor and decided I wanted to sell technology instead," he said.
And the AV industry has been his home for 21 years and counting.
He began in tech sales, working for companies like Computer 2000 (which later became TD SYNNEX) and then TD Maverick, where his focus shifted from IT sales to AV. From there, he joined a local technology integrator before moving to Hitachi to try the manufacturer side of the business. Then, he joined Stampede, where he entered management.
There were several other roles in between, even a return to sales with ViewSonic, but he realized that was no longer his passion. Luckily, Zones came calling, and he's been aligning his experience to build the EMEA team since September.
Hillier has had his hands in every area of Pro AV and spent meaningful time in each. "I've spent six or seven years with an integrator, three or four years with manufacturers, around 10 years in distribution," he recalled. "That’s enough time to actually learn and understand how each part of the ecosystem works."
With his hands on so much so quickly, his favorite experience is developing something. "I like taking something and having the ability to put my own stamp on it," he said.
That's exactly what he is doing now at Zones. He's helping develop the EMEA channel, supporting the growth across the region, while also contributing globally through social media platforms, video content, and customer engagement messaging. "I want to be part of something, rather than just keeping the engine running," he added.
What has kept Hillier from contemplating a career switch? In short, relationships, trade shows, and a "whole mess of cool stuff. A lot of the time, it's been the people. There's also the opportunity to be part of something genuinely exciting," he reflected.
A self-confessed AV geek, Hillier believes the Pro AV industry thrives on experience and demonstration. "Audiovisual needs to be seen and heard," he said. "We need to show people what's possible."
Hillier has plenty of advice for the next generation of Pro AV. In fact, he feels the industry can do more to nurture young talent, starting with mentorship.
"Find a good mentor," he advised. "When I first started, there were people who genuinely wanted me to succeed. I wouldn't be where I am today without that support. Personal ambition can take you so far, but if there are barriers at every step, it's easy to lose momentum. Find someone who will go to battle for you, who wants to see you do well."
