It’s been nearly two years since the onset of the pandemic, and whilst the world is moving towards returning to near normalcy, cinemas around the world are now open, with audiences back to enjoying movies on the BIG screen at cinema.
However, the lingering question that remains is that, despite the surge in streaming content, can cinemas return to pre-pandemic levels?
We have explored current market trends and how the present will influence the future of this time-honored tradition – watching a movie on the BIG screen:
The Great Escape: Cinema is undoubtedly a means of escape. Movies were the most popular form of entertainment during the dreary moments of pandemic, but recent box office figures have proven that viewing movies at home is just a ploy to compensate for the inability of watching movies in a theater. A majority of audiences believe movies enjoyed at the cinema offers a range of richness and passion that goes beyond the mere escape from reality.
Content: Filmgoers are willing to return to the cinema for content they believe in. During the early stages of reopening, cinemas struggled mainly due to the lack of content, as a result of major tentpoles placed on hold, while others released across on-demand platforms. However, when studios were willing to take risks, which was the case with Shang-chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, it paid off well.
An Experience: The pandemic has changed the consumption behavior of cinema audiences. However, this change represents a huge opportunity for the industry to engage in more innovative and personal ways with moviegoers. Cinema visits can be part of a broader experience-based value delivered to audiences. For example, an increase in the number of films made in new digital formats – such as IMAX and Dolby, illustrate the positive shift in the audiences’ fondness for cinema as an experience.
Patience is Profit: When movies are released simultaneously on streaming platforms, the profit potential – for blockbusters, is hindered. For example, Marvel’s Black Widow, which had the potential to gross between $750 million and over $1 billion at global box office, made much less due to simultaneously releasing on streaming platforms. In a similar manner, the earning potential for original movies to become megabuck movies is also limited by streaming release.
The Future: Increased production costs have been a pain point for independent filmmakers, for only the larger studios that can take bigger risks in terms of funding and marketing their movies. Studios recognize that the economics of blockbusters are based on box office. Thus, for the next few years, original scripts will be less sought after by studios for theatre releases in favor of franchises and reboots. It is also likely that more studios will expand their animation offering to adult and family audiences, given that it is easier to produce.
It’s becoming clearer that the pandemic likely exacerbated trends that were already in place before it began—blockbusters earn bigger bucks, and the gap in terms of fare between independent films and superhero movies grows. 2021 has done necessary legwork for cinema recovery. While the franchise frenzy will continue to drive the cinema recovery in 2022, audiences are yet to be tested on their willingness to support smaller movie releases in theaters.
Sources: Variety, CineBlend, Deloitte and IMDB
Meet the SAWA #HelloBigScreen Ad Legends for cinema – Sir John Hegarty, Mark Ritson, Corinne Woods, Marcello Serpa, Mark Tutssel and Rosie Arnold
SAWA (Global Cinema Advertising Association) recently launched a three-minute video – #HelloBigScreen … aimed at raising awareness for the unparalleled POWER and EFFECTIVENESS of cinema.
The video features six Ad Legends – the world’s most iconic names in the advertising, film and humanitarian worlds, sharing their thoughts on the importance of cinema by offering their endorsement to the ultimate creative expression in advertising – the ‘Cinema Medium’.
SAWA #HelloBigScreen Ad Legends Campaign:
Here’s what Sir John Hegarty (world-renowned creator of legendary ad campaigns for Levi’s, Lego, and Audi, among other), Mark Ritson (leading global advertising guru — brand consultant, and former marketing professor and has worked globally as a private marketing consultant for global organisations) and Corinne Woods (Director of Communications at United Nations World Food Programme and a key player in the transition and strategic implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals) have to say about the cinema medium:
Sir John Hegarty – Attention:
Cinemagoers are the most valuable & lucrative audience to reach because they’ve paid to be at the Cinema… “In a world of constant interruptions and distractions – Attention is the holy grail for marketers and that’s the reason why I like Cinema.”
Sir John Hegarty – Place of Dreams:
“I love the Cinema, it’s a Palace of Dreams, a place to be entertained and inspired, where your imagination is set free and Cinema is unique in a world of distraction.” The Big Screen is difficult to ignore and ads cannot be skipped or muted.
Sir John Hegarty – Mother of All Screens:
Does size matter to you? “When we see our life reduced to some handheld screen and we then go into a Cinema – the Mother of all screens – it is something to be sought after.”
Mark Ritson – Chasing Attention
“In an era where we are chasing attention and ‘viewability’ is a crucial word and targeting younger audiences is getting harder and harder – remember the power of the incredible medium of Cinema.”
Mark Ritson – Cult Ads Guinness & Levis 1984
“Let’s not forget the incredible emotion and viewability of Cinema and what wonderful things Cinema Advertising can do for brands.” If you want your message to have impact with high recall, using cinema as a platform guarantees powerful brand impact.
Corinne Woods – Perfect Environment
“The cinema experience is unique and tells stories to an audience that sits together, and as a community, watch films together as a community. It’s important to change the world and the cinema Medium can contribute to that.”
Marcello Serpa – No Distractions
“The bigger the screen, the bigger the emotion – that’s the power of Cinema.”
Rosie Arnold – A Strange Year
“Its not just the glory of the big screen, the sound and the visual elements, its the shared experience that is more powerful than anything I can think of. When the screen opens and the movie starts, you are moved and effected not just by the movie, but the Cinema advertising as well.”
Mark Tutssel – Curtains Open
“I love cinema advertising. It can turn up the volume and transfix an audience. It is a different Medium, you sit in the dark and are told a story.”
Mark Tutssel – Nothing Like It
“There’s nothing like Cinema that can captivate an audience.”
Mark Tutssel – Finest Cult Cinema Ads
“Think of some of the finest cult Cinema ads, highly engaging, changed culture and struck a visceral cord with audiences. Magical films that you can watch again and again and ideas that stay with audiences forever.”
Think cinema for effective advertising! Contact us to display your brand on the big screen across the GCC.
Hegarty, Ritson, Tutssel, Arnold, Woods and Serpa Endorse the Power and Value of the Global Cinema Medium in SAWA ’s #HelloBigScreen Ad Legends Campaign
A powerful three-minute video and multiple social media campaigns featuring vignettes from some of the world’s most iconic names in the advertising, film and humanitarian worlds launched on October 25th, 2021, aimed at raising awareness for the unparalleled power and effectiveness of Cinema. SAWA – the Global Cinema Advertising Association, and its members around the globe will utilize cinema, the trade press and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube), to reach marketers, moviegoers and creative/media agencies.
The #HelloBigScreen Ad Legends campaign is a first for SAWA and the global cinema medium, and was created to support a medium that has showed its unswerving resilience over many decades – to be able to adapt and survive pretty much anything including the 1918 Pandemic as well as the current one. The campaign will launch featuring these Ad legends sharing their thoughts on the importance of cinema by offering their endorsement to the ultimate creative expression in advertising – the ‘Cinema Medium’.
The #HelloBigScreen Ad Legends campaign features:
Sir John Hegarty, world-renowned creator of legendary ad campaigns for Levi’s, Lego, and Audi, among other. John has been given the D&AD President’s Award for outstanding achievement and in 2014 was admitted to the US AAF Hall of Fame, awarded a Knighthood by the Queen in 2007 and recipient of the Lion of St. Mark, Cannes Lions.
Mark Ritson, a leading global advertising guru — brand consultant, and former marketing professor and has worked globally as a private marketing consultant for global organisations. He has a PhD in Marketing and taught on the MBA programmes of leading business schools including London Business School and MIT.
Corinne Woods, Director of Communications at United Nations World Food Programme and a key player in the transition and strategic implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Corinne was instrumental in developing a 3-year partnership with SAWA and its global Cinema Advertising companies to promote goal number 2, Hunger.
Marcello Serpa, Brazil’s most honoured and awarded art director, with 45 Clio Awards, and 149 Cannes Festival Lions, including Latin America’s first Grand Prix and the recipient of the Lion of St Mark from Cannes Lions. He was Creative Director and co-chairman of AlmapBBDO and built it into one of the most successful agencies in the world.
Mark Tutssel, Former Chairman and Global Creative Officer of Leo Burnett worldwide and creator of famous campaigns for brands such as Samsung, McDonalds, Coca Cola and P & G He has won every major creative accolade, including nine Cannes Grand Prix, over 600 Cannes Lions, the first-ever D&AD White Pencil, two D&AD Black Pencils, seven One Show Best of Show Pencils and two Emmy Awards.
Rosie Arnold, Former Executive Creative Director BBH London. At BBH Rosie won numerous awards for her creative work on brands such as Levi’s, Pretty Polly Robinsons, Audi, Heineken Shell, Yeo Valley and Lynx. Rosie was also the first female President of D&AD and introduced “The White Pencil”- awarded for work that not only sells but does good in the world
“I love the Cinema, it’s a Palace of Dreams, a place to be entertained and inspired, where your imagination is set free, and the Cinema Medium is unique in a world of distraction,” said Sir John Hegarty.
SAWA members participating in the campaign are Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Finland, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and the Middle East, United Kingdom, United States, and Uruguay.
“As the pandemic hit, leading Hollywood Film Directors stood up and endorsed the power of Cinema over all other screens. It is therefore great to see that the Ad legends of our business have done the same as it relates to the power of the Cinema medium as the ultimate place for Brands to appear,” said ‘Cheryl Wannell, CEO of SAWA.
3-minute Longform #HelloBigScreen Ad Legends Campaign:
One of the 30-second Social Media Content Videos of Sir John Hegarty:
As a member of SAWA, Motivate Val Morgan is proud to support this global cinema initiative. Stay tuned across our social platforms (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter) for more on the #HelloBigScreen Ad Legends campaign, which will feature 11 individual 30-second videos of each Ad legend.
VOX Cinemas wins the Highest Grossing Exhibitor in The Middle East 2020-21 award for generating revenue amounting to US$171.7 million in the Middle East from October 2020 to October 2021 at the META Cinema Forum Awards 2021.
VOX Cinema’s US$171.7 million box office revenue represents more than 21 percent of the US$800 million box office revenue expected in the Middle East in 2021, according to research by Omdia.
The 4th edition of the META Cinema Forum – the largest cinema convention, covering Middle East and African markets, powered by Yummz Hot Chips Cafe, took place between 26th and 28th October 2021 at the Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai.
Eight winners were honoured with the highest industry accolades at the META Cinema Forum Awards for their achievements – based on the numbers collated from industry sources – making it the most authentic industry awards based on performance. Two of the awards were presented by META Cinema Forum while the rest 6 were presented by Comscore.
VOX Cinemas won the Highest Grossing Exhibitor in The Middle East 2020-21 award for generated revenue amounting to US$171.7 million in the Middle East from October 2020 to October 2021.
Cinemarine Cinemas won the Exhibitor of the Pandemic Period of Turkey. Cenk Sezgin, Chief Executive Officer, Cinemarine Cinemas, received the award for his organisation.
Murat Cemcir, Enterprising investor, Producer, Artist, was adjudged the Fastest Box Office Success in a Very Short Seasonal Period in Turkey. His organisation saw 21 million in admission and TL226 million Turkish Lira box office revenue in 10 movies.
Four Star Films won the Highest-grossing English Title in the Middle East 2020-21 for Fast & Furious 9 with box office revenue reaching US$16.98 million in the Middle East.
Empire Entertainment and Orient Films won the Highest-Grossing Arabic Title in the Middle East 2020-21–for Waafet Reggaala, which generated US$15.08 million box office revenue in the Middle East.
Film One won the award in the Highest-Grossing Title in Africa 2020-21 category for Omo Ghetto: The Saga, with box office revenue reaching US$1.66 million in West Africa.
Muvi Cinemas won the Exhibitor of the Year 2020-21 award for its recent accomplishments in growth and development during a period of great uncertainty having established 121 screens over 13 locations across Saudi Arabia.
Eagle Films won the Distributor of the Year 2020-21 in recognition of the support and dedication to deliver a pipeline of quality films during a period of risk and instability having more than 46 most films released during October 2020 – to October 2021 – including Wrath of Man and The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard.
Unlike other industry awards that are based on either corporate marketing presentations, public perception or jury nominations, META Cinema Forum Awards is based on pure numbers that puts them at the top of the ranking in each category where the names were chosen from.
Leila Masinaei, Managing Partner, Great Mind Events Management, said, “This is a true reflection of the best performance in each category in the film industry and we are pleased to honour them with their well-deserved awards.
“The numbers dictate who wins the awards. For example, Four Star Films won the Highest-grossing English Title in the Middle East 2020-21 for Fast & Furious 9 that is based on the box office revenue figure, reaching US$16.98 million in the Middle East. No one can dispute its rank as top-grossing film in the region.
“As MENA Cinema Forum matures as the largest cinema convention in the Middle East and Africa, we want to make thing more transparent to ensure authenticity of the awards that are based on third-party research.”
Box office revenue in the Middle East is set to cross US$800 million in 2021, US$1 billion in 2022 and US$1.3 billion in 2024, recovering from US$250 million in 2020 – marking the fastest recovery in the world, according to research by Omdia.
More than 500 industry delegates, experts and participants discussed the opportunities and challenges faced by the industry stakeholders at this year’s META Cinema Forum. The three-day mega film industry conference took place just a few weeks into Dubai Expo 2020 – the largest event in the Middle East and Africa region.
The Middle East and Africa region has one of the fastest growing entertainment industries in the world and governments are investing heavily to diversify economies and reduce dependency on a single economic sector
Motivate Val Morgan was a media partner for this year’s META Cinema Forum.
Sources: Press Release (Great Mind Events Management)
In this edition of ‘What’s Buzzin Behind the Screen’, we bring you the latest industry news – everything you need to know about what’s happening behind the scenes in Hollywood. From the latest trailer releases, to box office collections and movie announcements, here’s the October 2021 update:
Stay tuned for the latest industry news in our November 2021 edition.
Source: Screen Rant, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Rotten Tomatoes and Cinema Blend
Tuesday 5th October is the official Global James Bond Day – a celebration of 59 years of the Bond franchise since the release of Dr. No in 1962. This year, we celebrate the success of Daniel Craig’s last turn as 007 in No Time To Die.
Last Thursday (30th September 2021), we witnessed the return of the ‘licensed troubleshooter’ on the BIG Screen in a BIG way, exceeding conservative pre-weekend projections by rocketing to record US$119M in its opening weekend at international box office (a total of 54 markets).
The 25th James Bond film is also the first Hollywood title of the pandemic-era to cross US$100M in its international launch without China.
No Time To Die opened on 985 screens in the Middle East, making it the biggest release in the market this year. UAE and Saudi Arabia grossed US$2M and US$1.8M, respectively, in its opening weekend (Sept. 30 – Oct. 3).
The weekend opening of James Bond – No Time To Die was not only a busy weekend at the cinema, for it was also the busiest weekend’s in 2021 for Motivate Val Morgan, for we witnessed an influx of brands joining the ‘BondWagon’ to secure advertising alongside the most anticipated movie of the year.
Here are the advertisers who gained coverage beside 007 himself:
DHL
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (No Time To Die)
Country: Egypt
Locations: VOX Cinemas – City Centre Alexandria, City Centre Almaza, Mall of Egypt
B.Tech
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (No Time To Die)
Country: Egypt
Locations: VOX Cinemas – City Centre Alexandria, City Centre Almaza, Mall of Egypt
Christian Dior
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (No Time To Die)
Country: KSA & UAE
Locations: Multiple AMC, Muvi, Reel and VOX cinema locations
Cartier
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (No Time To Die)
Country: KSA, UAE & Qatar
Locations: Multiple Muvi, Reel and VOX cinema locations
Spotii
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (No Time To Die)
Country: KSA & UAE
Locations: Muvi Cinemas – Mall of Arabia and VOX Cinemas – Riyadh Park Mall
Armani / Prive
Campaign Duration: Sept. 30th to Oct. 29th
Country: UAE
Locations: Reel Cinemas – The Dubai Mall and VOX Cinemas – Mall of the Emirates
Galaxy Fusions
Campaign Duration: Sept. 30th to Nov. 3rd
Country: UAE
Locations: Reel Cinemas – The Dubai Mall and VOX Cinemas – Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, Nakheel Mall and Wafi City
*A total of three commercials that will screen in rotation.
Land Rover (Defender)
Campaign Duration: Sept. 30th to Oct. 13th/Oct. 20th
Country: UAE & Kuwait
Locations: Multiple Reel and VOX cinema locations
Saudi German Hospital
Campaign Duration: Sept. 30th to Dec. 1st
Country: UAE
Locations: Multiple Reel and VOX cinema locations
Campaign Duration: Sept. 30th to Dec. 1st
Country: Kuwait
Location: VOX Cinemas – The Avenues
Yas Island
Campaign Duration: Sept. 30th to Oct. 13th
Country: UAE
Locations: Multiple Reel and VOX cinema locations
Atlantis
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (No Time To Die)
Country: UAE
Locations: Reel Cinemas – The Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina Mall and The Pointe, and VOX Cinemas – Mall of the Emirates
Prada
Ad Format: 4DX
Campaign Duration: Sept. 30th to Oct. 27th
Country: UAE
Locations: Multiple VOX cinema locations
Kuwait Finance House
Campaign Duration: Oct. 1st to Oct. 21st
Country: UAE
Location: VOX Cinemas – The Avenues
*A total of three commercials that will screen in rotation.
Doha Academy
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (No Time To Die)
Country: Qatar
Location: VOX Cinemas – Dubai Festival City
RedBull Mobile
Country: Oman
Locations: Multiple VOX cinema locations
The campaign was meant to commence on Sept. 30th; however it has been delayed due to Cyclone Shaheen raging through parts of the Gulf region – mainly Oman. The campaign will therefore commence at a later point in October 2021.
Lincoln
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (No Time to Die)
Country: UAE
Location: VOX Cinemas – Yas Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Mercato and City Centre Mirdif
*The two commercials will screen in rotation
LEGO
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (No Time to Die)
Country: UAE
Location: Reel Cinemas – The Dubai Mall
Bank Muscat
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (No Time to Die)
Country: Oman
Location: Multiple VOX cinema locations
Audi (Q5)
Campaign Duration: Oct. 4th to Oct. 24th
Country: KSA
Location: VOX Cinemas – Riyadh Park Mall and Muvi Cinemas – Mall of Dhahran
On screen advertising wasn’t the only hit during the release of Not Time To Die. From digital screen ads by DHL, a sampling activity by Galaxy, to a car display by Aston Martin at the premier/opening in Egypt and more, check out the off screen activities booked through Motivate Val Morgan on the weekend starting Sept 30th.
In Bond we believed, and as always… 007 delivered!
With an exciting lineup of movies ahead: Venom: Let There Be Carnage, The Last Duel, Eternals, Sooryavanshi (Hindi), Annaatthe (Tamil), House of Gucci, West Side Story, Spider-Man: No Way Home, The Matrix Resurrections, The King’s Man, 83 (Hindi) and more, don’t miss out on aligning your brand alongside the release of these anticipated blockbusters.
Contact a member of our sales team for on and off screen cinema advertising opportunities over the weeks ahead.
Sources: 007.com, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter and Box Office Mojo
Saudi Arabia celebrated its 91st National Day (also known as Al-Yaom-ul-Watany) on 23rd September 2021, commemorating the birth of the modern Saudi nation.
This year’s theme and slogan was ‘Heya Lana Dar’, which means ‘A Home for Us’ – appreciating the spirit of the country’s cultural diversity that makes everyone (Saudis and foreigners) feel at home.
To honour and celebrate the transformative journey the country has embarked on over the past 91 years, leading brands in Saudi Arabia launched cinema campaigns across the country:
Saudia
The national airline of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched its national day cinema campaign emphasizing the spirit of being a Saudi national and its prosperity through generations.
Commercial Duration: 60 sec.
Campaign Duration: 21 – 24 September 2021
Locations: VOX Cinemas (Riyadh Front and Red Sea Mall), Muvi Cinemas (Nakheel Mall and Mall of Dhahran), AMC Cinemas – Stars Avenue and Cinépolis Cinemas – Lulu Mall
STC
Saudi Telecom Company launched its cinema campaign that parades the evolution of digital life in the kingdom.
Commercial Duration: 90 sec.
Campaign Duration: 23 – 25 September 2021
Locations: VOX Cinemas (Riyadh Park Mall and Red Sea Mall), AMC Cinemas – Panorama, Muvi Cinemas (Mall of Arabia and Nakheel Mall) and Cinépolis Cinemas – Lulu Mall
Banque Saudi Fransi
The Saudi based banking group’s national day campaign celebrates the vision and achievement of Saudi Arabia as a nation in various sectors.
Commercial Duration: 30 sec.
Campaign Duration: 21 – 27 September 2021
Locations: VOX Cinemas (Riyadh Park Mall, Kingdom Tower, Riyadh Front and Red Sea Mall), AMC Cinemas (Panorama and Riyadh Gallery) and Muvi Cinemas (Nakheel Mall Riyadh, U Walk, Mall of Arabia, Nakheel Mall Dammam and Mall of Dhahran)
Tamimi Markets
One of the fastest-growing supermarket chains in Saudi Arabia booked an ad to commemorate the Kingdom’s prosperity and greatness.
Commercial Duration: 15 sec.
Campaign Duration: 22 – 28 September 2021
Locations: 25 locations covering multiple VOX, Muvi, AMC and Cinépolis cinema locations
The General Presidency for the affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque
The government agency launched its campaign welcoming pilgrims and aiming to facilitate worshipers to perform the religious worship at the grand mosques with a prompt for being dutiful and generous in the times of the pandemic.
Commercial Duration: 60 sec.
Campaign Duration: 23 – 25 September 2021
Locations: VOX Cinemas – Town Square, Muvi Cinemas – Nakheel Mall in Dammam and AMC Cinemas – Azizia Plaza
With National Days of Oman (18th November), UAE (2nd December), Bahrain (16th December) and Qatar (18th December) around the corner, contact a member of our sales team for more information on cinema advertising opportunities to mark these special days!
As kids and teenagers gear up to head back to school, now’s the time to advertise your brand on the BIG screen!
It’s that time of the year again… the time to stock up on stationery essentials, coolest bags and the most trending fashion wear… all in the name of heading back to school!
Here’s a list of back to school ads that are currently playing in cinema, and some that previously dominated the big screens during this season:
Roco
Ad Duration: 20 sec.
Campaign Duration: 19 August 2021 – 8 September 2021
Country: Saudi Arabia
Cinema Locations: Multiple VOX, Muvi, AMC and Cinépolis cinema locations.
Pottery Barn Kids
Ad Duration: 30 sec.
Campaign Duration: 5 August 2021 – 11 August 2021
Country: Saudi Arabia
Cinema Locations: VOX Cinemas – Red Sea Mall
Please note: The same ad screened in UAE as well between 5 August 2021 and 18 August 2021.
Centrepoint
Cinema’s unique ability to deliver impact and engagement to a captive audience of parents and children makes it one of the perfect platforms to roll out a ‘Back to School’ campaign.
Got a back to school campaign you would like to roll out on the mother of all screens?
Contact us for more information on cinema advertising opportunities.
Cinépolis Cinemas will be Motivate Val Morgan’s eighth cinema exhibitor, bringing it’s total screen representation across the Middle East to 1000+ across 100+ cinema locations
Motivate Val Morgan has signed an exclusive advertising sales partnership with Cinépolis Cinemas in the Gulf.
Cinépolis Cinemas, a leading Mexican owned cinema exhibitor and the third largest movie theater circuit in the world, created a joint venture with the Dubai-based Al Tayer Group to build and operate cinemas across the GCC region. In Saudi Arabia, Al Tayer Group and Cinépolis have partnered with Al Hokair Group, a leading hospitality and entertainment operator in the MENA region, to set up movie theaters in 15 major cities across the country.
Cinépolis Cinemas opened its first cinema in Bahrain in January 2019. Today, the cinema exhibitor operates 68 screens across 7 locations in Bahrain, Oman, UAE and Saudi Arabia.
“At Cinépolis, we are always seeking out new and innovative engagement opportunities and communication channels with our audiences. Partnering with Motivate Val Morgan, the pioneer in advertising sales throughout the region, provides us with the platform to do so. I have no doubt both our brands will greatly benefit from this alliance” said Alejandro Aguilera, CEO of Cinépolis Cinemas in the Gulf.
Commenting on the partnership, Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group and CEO of Motivate Val Morgan, said, “We are pleased to further expand Motivate Val Morgan’s presence in the region with this exciting partnership and look forward to working alongside the Cinépolis team.”
Cinépolis Cinemas plans to continue its growth path throughout the Kingdom over the next 12 months, with the aim to have 100 operational screens by 2023.
Motivate Val Morgan now represents a total of 8 leading cinema exhibitors and offers advertisers inventory on 1000+ screens across 100+ cinema locations in UAE, Oman, Lebanon, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Source: Cinépolis Cinemas
As multiple cinema exhibitors around the world have started to reopen doors to patrons, and cinemas across the GCC having already welcomed more than 5 million moviegoers in 2021, the Saudi Arabia cinema market continues to grow, with the Kingdom well on track to realising the goal of Vision 2030 – open more than 350 cinemas with 2,600 screens.
Saudi Arabia officially opened its cinematic market in 2018 with the launch of its first cinema by AMC, post its 35-year ban. The initiative was a part of Saudi’s 2030 vision of development towards the economic and social sectors.
In promoting culture and entertainment, one of the goals of Vision 2030 is for the government to specifically attract local investors and create partnerships with international entertainment corporations to develop a market of SAR 30 billion in recreational services, with SAR 10 billion solely for the development of the cinema sector in Saudi Arabia, which is projected to directly contribute SAR 1 billion to the GDP.
Since the opening of the first cinema by AMC Cinemas at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in April 2018, followed by VOX Cinemas opening the second location at Riyadh Park Mall in May 2018, Saudi Arabia witnessed exponential growth in 2019, with a total of eleven 11 cinemas and 103 screens by the end of the year.
At the start of 2020 (prior to the COVID-19 lockdown), three more cinemas opened its doors to moviegoers in the city of Riyadh and Dammam, increasing the totals to 14 locations and 134 screens. When cinemas reopened post the lockdown in UAE and Saudi Arabia in June 2020 – with strict sanitisation and social distancing protocols in place, Saudi Arabia continued to expand its cinema landscape, adding 14 more locations and 130 screens across the country.
As of June 2021, Saudi Arabia has a total of 33 locations and 309 screens, proving to be GCC’s booming cinema market at present.
The latest Saudi issue by Campaign Middle East – Saudi Arabia Report 2021, has brought together the creative and marketing talent of Saudi Arabia to produce a catalogue of the media landscape in the Kingdom, and also shines light on Saudi’s post-COVID cinema landscape.
Access the complete cinema report and read what Avinash Udeshi, Chief Operating Officer, Motivate Val Morgan and representatives from leading cinema exhibitors in Saudi Arabia have to say about the unprecedented potential for growth in the country.
Sources: PWC, Arab news, The National and Arabian Business
