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
AMC Cinemas opened its newest location in Riyadh at Panorama Mall on Monday 16th December 2019.
The cinema is home to 10 screens with a total of 793 luxe reclining seats.
In celebration of the opening of the new cinema, AMC Cinemas held a special event at Panorama Mall where guests were treated to a sneak peek of the facility – a chance to sample the food on offer and a screening of their choice of the latest films in cinema (Dark Water, Jumanji: The Next Level and Ford v Ferrari).
Declaring the cinema to be officially open, Adom Aron – CEO of AMC, revealed AMC’s plans in the Kingdom. “We now have two theaters open in Riyadh, but we expect to open between eight and ten theatres by June, between 12 and 20 theatres next year, and 50 theatres in the next three, four years, and we expect to be the biggest and most luxurious cinema operator in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Mishal Alsowayan – Marketing Manager at AMC, added: “We’re very happy to open AMC Panorama, and we’re looking forward to opening more and more locations soon.”
Panorama Mall is AMC’s second location in Saudi Arabia, with the first located at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) – also the first cinema to officially open in the country on 18th April 2018. KAFD was recently renovated to feature 405 seats which include luxe recliners and plush rockers.
The cinema exhibitor presently operates 11 screens across 2 locations in KSA.
Tickets to movie sessions at Panorama Mall, as well as the revamped KAFD location are available on AMC’s official website.
Motivate Val Morgan congratulates AMC Cinemas on its opening at Panorama Mall and warmly welcomes this new location to our cinema circuit. Contact us for cinema advertising opportunities in KSA.
Sources: Arab News, BroadcastPro and AMC Cinemas
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Motivate Val Morgan Welcomes AMC Cinemas to its Circuit in KSA
Wego – travel search website and mobile application, recently booked a cinema campaign (in collaboration with VisitBritain) through Motivate Val Morgan at Reel Cinemas (UAE), VOX Cinemas (KSA) and AMC Cinemas (KSA).
An engaging off-screen ‘Foyer Display’ embedded with augmented reality technology was installed at Reel Cinemas – The Dubai Mall in UAE from Wednesday 27th February to Thursday 5th March 2019.
Technique:
When a cinemagoer stands in front of the screen, the image of the cinemagoer, together with a background of one of Britain’s most iconic sites (Buckingham Palace, Big ben, etc.) would display on the screen.
Objective:
To encourage cinemagoers to search, compare and book a trip to Britain through Wego.
A similar display was also set up at VOX Cinemas – Riyadh Park Mall in Saudi Arabia from Monday 11th March to Sunday 17th March 2019.
Additionally, two Arabic on-screen ads were booked to screen at VOX Cinemas – Riyadh Park Mall and Red Sea Mall (Jeddah) and AMC Cinemas – KAFD (Riyadh) from Thursday 14th March to Wednesday 20th March 2019.
The first ad – which screened for a period of 3 days, features two female actors posting a video of themselves against the backdrop of one of the most cherished British icons – the Big Ben.
The second ad – which screened for a period of 4 days, features a male actor driving along Britain’s countryside when his friend unexpectedly appears by the side of his window.
Interested in booking a similar on-screen and off-screen campaign through Motivate Val Morgan?
Contact a member of our sales team for more information of cinema advertising opportunities across our circuit covering UAE, Lebanon, Oman, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
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Dyson | Pure Link | Integrated Cinema Campaign
Source: Wego
Motivate Val Morgan has signed an exclusive advertising sales partnership with AMC Cinemas for their cinema locations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
AMC, a global leader in entertainment, opened the first cinema in Saudi Arabia in April 2018 at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh. Globally AMC’s brands include Odeon Cinemas, UCI Cinemas and Nordic Cinema.
Over the next five years, AMC plans to open 50 cinemas in cities all across Saudi Arabia, expanding to a total north of 75 locations throughout the kingdom by 2030.
“This is a game-changing initiative within the regional entertainment space,” said Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group. “Expanding into Saudi Arabia remains one of our key business objectives and fulfils our long-held belief in the value of key strategic partnerships.”
Additionally, as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, Motivate Val Morgan will support AMC in the education and training of young Saudi Nationals through a special internship programme, including sponsoring their attendance at the Dubai Lynx Festival of creativity each year, which brings together top creatives and the world’s best brands.
For more information on AMC Cinemas, please visit their website and contact us for cinema advertising opportunities at this location.
