Saudi Arabia’s homegrown cinema brand – Muvi Cinemas, has launched the Kingdom’s first Drive-in cinema in the city of Riyadh.
The Drive-in cinema that opened on Thursday 21st January 2021, is the first of its kind in the country, and can accommodate up to 150 vehicles while maintaining social distancing measures.
Guests will be required to wear face masks and have their temperature checked in accordance with recommended measures to combat the spread of COVID-19, while food and drinks are allowed to be consumed inside cars.
In a statement to Arab News, Mahmoud Mirza, Marketing Director of Muvi Cinemas said: “MUVI Cinemas is strictly applying all the precautionary measures to ensure a safe environment for our employees and customers.” However, no decision has yet been made on how long the Drive-in cinema would remain open.
According to Mirza, the initial response from the public suggests that the Drive-in cinema concept will prove as popular in the Kingdom as it has in recent times in other parts of the Middle East, including Dubai and Beirut, as a way to allow cinemagoers to watch movies on the big screen while protecting themselves from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Mirza further stated that now is the ideal time to visit a Drive-in cinema in the Kingdom. “Drive-in cinemas require many aspects to succeed. One important factor is the weather, and with Riyadh’s weather nowadays, it is a perfect fit to complete an outstanding experience,” he explained, adding that Muvi Cinemas is considering opening similar temporary venues across the Kingdom.
“Having pop-up cinemas isn’t new to MUVI Cinemas, and we shall continue offering such experiences to expand our reach and create happy moments for our audience, be it inside our sites and theaters or outside.”
Mirza also revealed that Muvi Cinemas plans to open 15 new cinemas in Saudi Arabia in 2021, adding more than 150 screens to its current cinema circuit. “New sites will be added to those in current cities, and introduced to new cities, such as Taif, Buraidah and Onaizah,” he said.
As the official cinema advertising partner of Muvi Cinemas in Saudi Arabia, we at Motivate Val Morgan warmly congratulate the cinema exhibitor on the opening of the new Drive-in cinema.
Click here for more information of the first Drive-in cinema in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and for session times.
Sources: Muvi Cinemas, Arab News and Gulf News
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is set to take place in person from 21-25 June 2021, and will also feature a series of digital elements – an aspect of the Festival since 2016.
Cannes Lions has confirmed that the awarding of the ‘Lions’ will take place as usual during the third week of June 2021. After the postponement of last year’s awards due to the global pandemic, the juries will be judge and award work from both 2020 and 2021.
“For more than 65 years Cannes Lions has set the benchmark for great creative work,” said Lions Managing Director Simon Cook, “and after the disappointment of postponing the 2020 Lions awards, we look forward to presenting the work to the Juries in June. We’ve been delighted by the diverse spread of work that has emerged in our regional awards – Eurobest, Dubai Lynx and Spikes Asia – and we look forward to being inspired by the work that will set the global standard across two years at Cannes Lions.”
The plan is to judge and present the work in person in Cannes, France, during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, which is now open for delegate registrations.
“While travel is currently constrained, the availability of multiple vaccines offers hope that we can be together in June, even if we need to limit the numbers of delegates who can safely attend,” said Lions Chairman Phillip Thomas. “We will continue to carefully monitor the situation, and maintain our regular communications with the authorities in France, but there are many other large international events planned for the same timeline, and it’s clear from talking to the global industry that everybody is very keen to come together again.”
As part of the Festival in June, Cannes Lions will continue to have a significant digital element, something Cannes Lions pioneered in 2016 with its Digital Pass. Last year, more than 80,000 members of the global creative and marketing community united to take part in the on-going digital series.
Delegate registration is now open, click here to book your pass.
For more information, visit canneslions.com
Motivate Media Group and Motivate Val Morgan are the official representatives of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in the UAE.
Source: Cannes Lions (Press Release)
A comprehensive list of animation movies releasing in 2021.
As the idea of a bright new year dawns upon us, cinema offers you a refreshing line-up of blockbusters!
One can’t predict as to how much more damage COVID-19 is planning to wreak on the release schedule, nevertheless, from action movies, to thrillers and rom-coms, there’s much entertainment ahead on the BIG Screen in 2021.
What’s interesting though is the array of animation movies set to release now, more than ever before.
Here’s a comprehensive list of animation movies set to release this year:
Tom & Jerry
Warner Bros. is bringing the beloved franchise back to the big screen (for the first time in almost three decades) in hybrid format.
Releasing in cinemas – 25 February
Raya and The Last Dragon
Walt Disney Animation Studios has committed itself to a number of original films after releasing back-to-back sequels, and first up is this fantasy epic set in the magical realm of Kumandra, a land inhabited by an ancient civilization — and dragons — which draws on the cultures of Southeast Asia.
Releasing in cinemas – 4 March
Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
The lovable rogue is back! Will Gluck directs this Peter Rabbit sequel based on the characters created by Beatrix Potter. The cast includes Rose Byrne, Elizabeth Debicki, Margot Robbie, and James Corden in the lead role.
Releasing in cinemas – 11 March
Rumble
Paramount’s latest has gone through multiple titles, directors, and release dates, but the premise has stayed the same throughout. Based on Rob Harrell’s graphic novel Monster on a Hill, the film is set in a world where humans train monsters to fight in professional wrestling tournaments.
Releasing in cinemas – 10 June
Minions 2: The Rise of Gru
The Rise of Gru is both a prequel and sequel within the highest-grossing animation franchise of all time. Narrative chronology places it between 2015’s Minions and the Despicable Me trilogy (2010, 2013, 2017); if Minions revealed where the gibbering yellow henchmen came from, this film provides an origin story for the villain who becomes their commander.
Releasing in cinemas – 3 July
Boss Baby: Family Business
McGrath returns to direct his sixth feature at Dreamworks. Family Business is a sequel to The Boss Baby, the 2017 comedy that became a surprise box-office smash and spawned a franchise.
Releasing in cinemas – 16 September
Other animated movies that are scheduled to release in 2021 include:
Kung Fu Mulan (January), Maya The Bee 3: The Golden Orb (February), Dragon Rider (February), Even Mice Belong in Heaven (April), Bob’s Burgers (April), Ron’s Gone Wrong (April), Troll: The Tale of Tail (May), Vivo (June), Rumble (June), Luca (June), Space Jam: A New Legacy (July) Hotel Transylvania 4 (August), Paw Patrol (August), My Little Pony Movie (September), The Bad Guys (September), The Addams Family 2 (October), Clifford: The Big Red Dog (November), Encanto (November) and Sing 2 (December).
Please Note: release months/dates are subject to change.
Despite the pandemic roadblocks and setbacks, the animated movie industry is determined to continue entertaining us in 2021 .. in a year we are bound to feel the ripple effects of 2020, and will need it the most.
Advertisers, here’s your chance to advertise alongside an array of wholesome family entertainment packed with fun for all age groups.
Contact us to advertise your brand alongside these movies.
Sources: IMDB, Wikipedia, Cartoon Brew, Lopper and Collider (more…)
AMC Karam 5 at Karam Mall – the first cinema in the Al Majmaah governorate, offers luxury auditoriums, best-in-class projection, sound and seating, and is the latest effort by AMC in an ongoing program to provide state-of-the-art cinemas across KSA.
AMC Cinemas, in yet another milestone to develop the moviegoing experience in Saudi Arabia, opened its seventh location in the Kingdom at Karam Mall in the Al Majmaah governorate on 31st December 2020. AMC Karam 5 is the first cinema in Al Majmaah, and will offer moviegoers the high standards they have come to expect and enjoy from AMC Cinemas.
The 5-screen cinema with a total of 751 seats, which includes a Prime at AMC screen, is another impressive step in the rapid evolution of the cinema experience in Saudi Arabia. Every auditorium is fully equipped with a massive screen, 4K Barco Laser Projector, immersive surround sound, with Luxe Recliner and Plush Rocker seating throughout.
Following the launch of AMC Karam 5, the cinema exhibitor seeks to reach the largest possible number of movie lovers around Saudi Arabia, a goal which is in line with the government’s plan to diversify entertainment content as well as providing new experiences to a range of audiences in several cities and governorates around the Kingdom.
Speaking on the occasion of the opening John Iozzi, CEO & Managing Director of AMC Cinemas said, “This is a big, positive step to cater to cinema audiences in the various governorates of Saudi. Our goal is to provide an innovative and creative cinematic experience for cinema lovers, by maintaining international standards as we continue to support the Kingdom’s 2030 vision, which focusses heavily on improving the entertainment sector. This is a vitally important part of the components of the Quality of Life program and motivates us to continue our efforts to build and provide innovative cinema that suits the tastes of all our customers around the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
AMC Cinemas presently operate 45 screens across 7 locations in 3 cities of Saudi Arabia – Riyadh, Hafar Al-Batin and Al Majmaah.
Motivate Val Morgan congratulates AMC Cinemas on the opening of AMC Karam 5, and warmly welcomes this location to our cinema circuit in KSA.
Contact us for cinema advertising opportunities across AMC locations.
Source: AMC Cinemas (Press Release)
BBC Earth recently booked a 4 week on-screen campaign through Motivate Val Morgan – an audio and visual storytelling ad, making it cinematic and memorable in every sense.
Standing out amongst the crowd has always been the challenge in advertising.
With so many other ad messages to compete with, how does a brand make its messaging resonate with its target market?
The answer is a compelling story; one that reaches the heart of the consumer and evokes a feeling or a memory.
But a compelling story is just one step of the way. The next step is to make sure that story is experienced in all its glory on a platform that attracts the attention of audiences – one that connects, captivates and is memorable enough to convert, and there’s no better place than cinema to tell a story!
BBC Earth – a first time advertiser with Motivate Val Morgan, recently booked a 30 sec. cinematic on-screen ad at VOX Cinemas – Mall of the Emirates and Reel Cinemas – The Dubai Mall for a period of 4 weeks (1st January – 28th January 2021).
The ad promotes the new and exclusive BBC Earth show – ‘A Perfect Planet’, and is an audio and visual storytelling masterpiece, evoking emotion and making it memorable when viewed in a distraction free environment, on the BIG Screen.
Here are three reasons why cinema is the best medium for storytelling:
Ultimate platform for advertising
Cinema provides the best seat in media – an immersive experience with unmatchable audio and visual storytelling capability, offering advertisers captive and engaged audiences.
Variety of cinema experiences
Cinema exhibitors, in the Middle East and around the world, offer cutting-edge cinema concepts and technology (3D, 4D, IMAX, Dolby, ScreenX, etc.) – pushing the boundaries of cinemagoing. This in turn affords advertisers new and exciting formats of cinema advertising – guaranteed to create greater brand impact through storytelling.
Flexible advertising durations
Cinema offers advertisers with a range of ad durations, from 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 seconds, thus the opportunity to run longer and more compelling brand stories that aren’t subject to stringent slots.
In a multi-screen, multi-platform world where people are constantly targeted with brand messages, it’s becoming more important to emotionally engage audiences than ever before. Today’s consumers are more sophisticated and are tired of traditional advertising! They want to be told about products and services in a more creative, captivating and entertaining manner.
Why not free yourself from the confines of traditional advertising by creating powerful brand stories and aligning your brand with cinema advertising in 2021?
Contact us for more information of cinematic advertising opportunities across our circuit in the Middle East
Sources: the next ad and ScenicRD
The latest ads on the BIG Screen across UAE and KSA in the month of December 2020
2020 will be drawing to a close in a few days, and in a year that has been extremely challenging for the cinema industry and its affiliated businesses such as cinema advertising, Motivate Val Morgan is grateful to our advertisers who not only still believe in the power of cinema, but has shown their undoubted support towards the medium in a year which we can all agree was full of twists and turns, and are happy to bid farewell to.
December ushered in the festive spirit in the lead up to Christmas, and we also witnessed the release of one of the most anticipated blockbusters of the year in the Middle East – Wonder Woman 1984. Advertising alongside the release of DC’s ravishing superhero on the BIG Screen and during the weekend of Christmas were the following brands:
Jahez
Campaign Start Date: December 17, 2020
Campaign End Date: January 6, 2021
Cinema Locations: Across all screens of VOX, AMC and Muvi cinema locations in KSA
Atlantis
Follow A Movie: Wonder Women 1984
Campaign Start Date: December 17, 2020
Cinema Location: VOX Cinemas – Mall of the Emirates
Al Hokail Medical Group
Campaign Start Date: December 24, 2020
Campaign End Date: March 6, 2021
Cinema Location: Muvi Cinemas – Mall of Dhahran
Week 1,4,7 & 10
Week 2,5 & 8
Week 3,6 & 9
Mobily
Start Date: December 24, 2020
End Date: January 13, 2021
AMC Locations: KAFD, Panorama Mall
Muvi Locations: Mall of Arabia, Al Hamra Mall, Haifa Mall, Nakheel Mall (Dammam)
VOX Locations: Atyaf Mall, Kingdom Centre, Riyadh Front
USA Pears
Start Date: December 24, 2020
End Date: December 30, 2020
VOX Location: Drive-in Cinema at Mall of the Emirates and Yas Mall
Reel Locations: The Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina Mall and The Springs Souk
Etisalat
(Change of material – part of an annual campaign)
The cinema campaign was a 60 sec. edit of the above video
Cinema Locations: Multiple VOX, Reel, Oscar, Cine Royal and Cinemacity locations
A 60 sec. edit of the above video played in cinema
Yamaha
(Change of material – part of an existing campaign which started on November 26, 2020)
Cinema Location: Reel Cinemas – The Dubai Mall
As we move in to the New Year – a year with a number of blockbusters scheduled to release, we remain hopeful and look forward to welcoming more brand ads on the BIG Screen.
Contact a member of our sales team for cinema advertising opportunities in 2021.
VOX Cinemas, the dedicated cinema arm of Majid Al Futtaim, launched a new multiplex at Town Square, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 29th November 2020.
The 12-screen cinema with a total of 1367 seats, boasts numerous firsts including the Kingdom’s first MX4D, the newest evolution in 4D cinema, and ICE (Immersive Cinema Experience), which provides a truly sensorial experience. It also features IMAX with Laser, VIP and KIDS screens. Guests can also indulge in their favourite cinema snacks from the Nutella and Candy Bar.
The inauguration was attended by His Highness Prince Bandar Bin Khalid F. Al Saud; Nasser Bin Huwaiden Al Ketbi, UAE Consul-General to Jeddah, the admired Saudi singer Abdulrab Idrees and Mohamed Al Hashemi, Country Head of Majid Al Futtaim Ventures Saudi Arabia.
The opening of the new multiplex marks VOX’s 11th cinema in Saudi Arabia and consolidates its ambitious expansion plans across the Kingdom as part of its commitment to Vision 2030.
With a total of 124 screens, across 11 cinemas, in 4 cities, VOX Cinemas is the largest exhibitor by screen count and the largest independent distributor in Saudi Arabia.
Mohamed Al Hashemi, Country Head at Majid Al Futtaim Ventures KSA, said, “We are proud to partner with Unified Real Estate Development to open VOX Cinemas Town Square, Jeddah which marks our third launch post lock-down and will create job opportunities for 200 people. At VOX Cinemas, we remain fundamentally confident about the future of the cinema industry and will continue with our ambitious growth strategy in support of the Quality of Life program. In the coming months, we will expand our footprint with openings in new cities including Hail and Jubail as part of our commitment to make our innovative and unrivalled leisure and entertainment experiences accessible to everyone, even in remote cities. Saudi Arabia can now proudly say that their cinemas are without question, the best in the world!”
He added, “In the context of emerging markets, no one is embracing cinema as keenly as audiences across the Kingdom and we believe that it will become a top 10 global market for cinema and generate $1 billion in box office revenue in the next three to five years. We believe Saudi Arabia is the only market in the world to have expanded in 2020, which is quite extraordinary given the current climate and highlights how critical it is to the industry’s future. We look forward to leveraging the growth opportunities that Saudi’s burgeoning entertainment sector presents by introducing more world-class integrated entertainment experiences and supporting the Kingdom’s evolution towards its 2030 Vision.”
We at Motivate Val Morgan congratulate VOX Cinemas on the opening of the new multiplex at Town Square in Jeddah, and warmly welcome this location to our cinema circuit in KSA.
Contact us for cinema advertising opportunities at Town Square, Jeddah, KSA.
Sources: VOX Cinemas, Eat’N Stays and albilad
AMC Cinemas opened its sixth cinema location at Azizia Plaza in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Thursday 3rd December 2020.
Azizia Plaza features 3 screens with a total of 314 seats, and includes a Prime at AMC screen – presenting best-in-class projection, sound, seating, and exceptional food and beverages and five-star service.
Speaking at the opening CEO and Managing Director John Iozzi said: “AMC Azizia Plaza 3 is part of our continued expansion across Saudi Arabia and we are excited to bring our brand of first-class cinema experience to a new audience.”
AMC Azizia Plaza 3, he stated, was another impressive step in the rapid evolution of the cinema experience in Saudi Arabia.
“Every auditorium is fully equipped with a massive screen, 4K Barco Laser Projectors, immersive surround sound and Luxe Recliner and Plush Rocker seating throughout. Every seat also includes a table and USB charging port for ultimate comfort,” he explained.
“We are committed to supporting the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to improve the choice and quality of entertainment under the Quality of Life Program,” added John Iozzi.
With the opening of Azizia Plaza, AMC Cinemas presently operates 40 screens across 6 locations in 2 cities of Saudi Arabia.
Motivate Val Morgan congratulates AMC Cinemas on the opening of Azizia Plaza, and warmly welcomes this location to our regional cinema circuit.
Contact us for cinema advertising opportunities across AMC locations.
Sources: AMC Cinemas and Gulf Projects
Emarat – one of the UAE’s leading petroleum companies, recently booked an integrated cinema campaign with Motivate Val Morgan across multiple cinema location in UAE.
The on-screen component of the campaign included a 60 sec. commercial booked for a period of 8 weeks (1st December 2020 to 25th January 2021) at the following cinemas:
VOX Cinemas – City Centre Mirdif, Mall of The Emirates, City Centre Sharjah, City Centre Ajman and Al Hamra Mall
Reel Cinemas – The Dubai Mall, The Springs Souk and The Pointe
The commercial maps the brand’s journey over almost 40 years, serving communities when and where needed – keeping people and businesses moving. Even though times have changed, one thing that has stayed the same for Emarat is their commitment to quality, service and excellence. Communities can truly expect…the expected with Emarat.
Emarat also booked a range of off-screen executions at multiple cinema locations for a 2 month period (starting 1st December 2020) as per below:
Entrance Panel Wrap: Reel Cinemas The Dubai Mall
Digital Screen: Reel Cinemas The Springs Souk and VOV Cinemas City Centre Ajman
Entrance LED: VOX Cinemas City Centre Mirdif
Hero Screen (screen above Candy Bar): VOX Cinemas Mall of the Emirates
Light Box: VOX Cinemas City Centre Sharjah and Al Hamra Mall
Integrated cinema campaigns provide greater brand visibility and enable brands to target cinemagoers across multiple touchpoints.
Don’t miss out on reaching your target audience, especially alongside the release of Wonder Woman 1984 (December 17).
Contact us for more information on integrated cinema campaigns across our cinema circuit.
Get ready to experience Wonder! Patty Jenkin’s Wonder Woman 1984 – featuring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig and Pedro Pascal, releases in cinema across the Middle East on 17 December 2020.
Wonder Woman’s battle has got BIGGER and more complicated – facing not one but two new foes: Max Lord and The Cheetah!
Will she emerge VICTORIOUS? Witness the outcome, ONLY on the BIG SCREEN in the Middle East!
Advertisers…. here’s a BIG Screen Event not miss out on! Share the screen with WONDER WOMAN …. in the lead up to Christmas!
Here are 3 reasons why you should not miss out on advertising alongside this MEGA Blockbuster:
First Reactions – Critics and Fabs
#WW1984 tells us that our world deserves the kindness and empathy of a superhero like Wonder Woman, and in 2020, that feels like the most radical and necessary message of all.
Wonder Woman is the superhero we need AND the one we deserve. Pass it on.
— Kayti Burt (@kaytiburt) December 5, 2020
Gadot perfectly captures the essence of Wonder Woman once again! @PedroPascal1 and #KristenWiig are brilliantly cast. And yes, #ChrisPine ‘s unusual and inspired return is a huge bonus, both with humor and heart! pic.twitter.com/3ydqIW78No
— JoBlo.com (@joblocom) December 5, 2020
I had the chance watch #WonderWoman1984 early!
I loved the first film and I can confidently say the sequel take everything to another level! Pedro Pascal and Kristen Wiig absolutely kill it as Maxwell Lord and Cheetah.
Let Patty Jenkins take charge of the entire DCEU! pic.twitter.com/UpPbCNOsxH
— Dorian Parks (@DorianParksnRec) December 5, 2020
I’ve seen #WonderWoman1984!@PattyJenks literally made an 80s movie in every way, making it so unique for today. It feels both bigger than the first WW while simultaneously more contained.
Lots of Diana Prince and some epic Wonder Woman moments as @GalGadot literally soars! pic.twitter.com/QluelKwYly
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) December 5, 2020
I’m so happy to report that #WW84 is an absolute blast from start to finish. An exceptional compliment to the first film, it’s stuffed w/ heart, hope, love, action, romance & humor. @PattyJenks, @GalGadot & team delivered one of DC’s best sequels. I was in tears when it ended. pic.twitter.com/ivPkBFmehd
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) December 5, 2020
Huge news: Wonder Woman 1984 is fantastic! The story is excellent & has a great, timely message; it packs in a ton of surprises; and amazing work is done with both Cheetah & Max Lord (Wiig & Pascal are both stellar). Get hyped, because it’s the real deal. #WonderWoman1984 #WW1984 pic.twitter.com/9UQLyxn3gx
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) December 5, 2020
I got to watch Wonder Woman 1984 yesterday and… honestly it’s just what I needed. What we all need. It’s uplifting, hopeful, and so utterly Wonder Woman. Just a beautiful film with themes that hit you right in the heart. #WW84
— Amy Ratcliffe (@amy_geek) December 5, 2020
Messages from Gal Gadot
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Promo Videos
Go behind the frame of #WW84 with IMAX, and director, Patty Jenkins.
Let’s share in the Wonder … this December.
It’s not too late to share the screen with WONDER WOMAN and be seen by her large fan base …. in the lead up to Christmas!
Contact a member of our sales team for more information on advertising alongside this MEGA Blockbuster.
Sources: Instagram, Twitter and YouTube
