VOX Cinemas 15-screen cinema at Wafi City in Dubai features a Samsung Onyx screen and signature concepts including KIDS, MAX, as well as a reimagined VIP experience.
Majid Al Futtaim – the leading shopping mall, communities, retail, and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, launched its first hybrid cinema and family entertainment centre at Wafi City in Dubai, UAE on 9 May 2021.
The state-of-the-art entertainment hub spans two floors and comprises VOX Cinemas – the Middle East’s most innovative and fastest growing exhibitor, integrated with Magic Planet – the regionally award-winning family entertainment centre.
The 15-screen cinema at VOX Cinemas Wafi City offers moviegoers an exceptional cinematic experience and boasts the first Samsung Onyx screen in the UAE. Backed by brilliant LED picture quality and an infinite contrast ratio, Samsung Onyx delivers a powerful, captivating and memorable experience through HDR (High Dynamic Range) graphics and clear sounds. The cinema also features cutting-edge audio-visual technology and a variety of VOX signature concepts including KIDS, MAX, as well as a reimagined VIP experience with luxury seating and in-seat dining.
Families and fun seekers of all ages can also enjoy a wide variety of the latest video games, amusement rides, attractions and redemption games at Magic Planet, which features Bumper Cars, Drop ‘N Twist and Highway 66 – the ultimate mini-bowling experience.
The all-encompassing entertainment destination also features an array of F&B outlets to complement the experience including new concepts Candy Corner, where guests can indulge in a wide variety of sweet treats, and The Spotlight at Wafi City, which serves gourmet cuisine directly to guests’ seats. The décor in the thoughtfully appointed new culinary offering is imaginative and intriguing and truly immerses discerning film fans in a unique atmosphere that redefines luxury and the cinematic experience.
Ignace Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas and Majid Al Futtaim Leisure & Entertainment said, “We’re proud to collaborate with Wafi Group, which shares our vision for creating remarkable destinations and passion for excellence, to open our first hybrid cinema and family entertainment centre in the United Arab Emirates. Today’s customers are looking for more engaging and immersive ways to spend time with family and friends and, at Majid Al Futtaim, we are committed to staying ahead of the curve and finding innovative new ways to exceed evolving
expectations. VOX Cinemas and Magic Planet at Wafi City have been designed as a holistic concept seamlessly integrating two recreational functions into one enriched experience and we’re very excited to welcome new guests and create great moments together.”
Sheikh Ahmed bin Mana bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Deputy Chairman of Wafi Group added, “Majid Al Futtaim is synonymous with customer-focused and innovative experiences and, we are excited to partner with them to launch this world-class entertainment destination, which offers an exciting selection of immersive attractions for the whole family to enjoy. VOX Cinemas Wafi City takes the cinematic experience to the next level with a unique offering that goes beyond customers’ expectations and features the ultimate VIP experience.”
VOX Cinemas presently operates 22 cinemas and 267 screens across the UAE. In March 2021, the cinema exhibitor opened at City Centre Al Zahia in Sharjah, with the launch marking the fifth cinema opening across the region in the wake of COVID-19. Later this month, VOX Cinemas is set to launch three multiplexes across Saudi Arabia and Bahrain as part of its ambitious expansion plans across the region.
We at Motivate Val Morgan congratulate VOX Cinemas on the opening of the new the 15-screen cinema at Wafi City, and warmly welcome this location to our cinema circuit in the UAE.
Contact us to advertise your brand on the screens at Wafi City in Dubai, UAE.
Sources: Vox Cinemas Press Release
VOX Cinemas opened its tenth cinema at Tabuk Park in Saudi Arabia (the first ever cinema in the city of Tabuk) on Monday 27th July 2020, in line with its commitment to expand its footprint to new cities across the country.
The 11-screen multiplex has a seating capacity of 831 and features VOX Cinemas’ signature concepts including two KIDS screens, a colourful and dedicated auditorium for young movie lovers, and VIP, which offers guests a more luxurious experience. VOX Cinemas Tabuk Park combines world-class entertainment with an enhanced range of innovative and homegrown food and beverage options, including a Nutella Bar as well as the VOX Cinemas Candy Bar.
Tabuk Park is the second VOX location to open in Saudi Arabia since the reopening of cinemas in the country following the COVID-19 cinema closure. With a total of 112 screens across 10 movie theatres in four cities, VOX Cinemas is the largest exhibitor by screen count, admissions, market share and the largest independent distributor in the Kingdom.
Speaking on the opening of Tabuk Park, Mohamed Al Hashemi — Country Head, Majid Al Futtaim Ventures KSA said, “We are extremely proud to be bringing the magic of motion picture to Tabuk for the first time, which demonstrates our commitment to supporting the Quality of Life Program by enhancing participation in cultural and entertainment activities and creating job opportunities in the film industry. It also marks another major milestone for VOX Cinemas, which surpassed 100 screens in Saudi Arabia with the opening of VOX Cinemas Sahara Mall, Riyadh in June. We continue to build on that momentum by expanding our footprint in new cities such as Tabuk with plans to open in Hail and Jubail in the coming months. We will also be bringing our world class experiences to Jeddah at the end of the year, in line with our ambitious plans to build 600 cinema screens across the Kingdom by 2023 as part of a SAR 2 billion investment. Saudi Arabia has a burgeoning entertainment sector and we look forward to leveraging the growth opportunities that Vision 2030 presents.”
Motivate Val Morgan congratulates VOX Cinemas on the opening of Tabuk Park and warmly welcomes this new location to our regional cinema circuit.
Contact us for cinema advertising opportunities at this new VOX location in KSA.
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Source: VOX Cinemas
Led by one of the world’s most powerful millennials – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, ‘Vision 2030’ is steering KSA into an unprecedented era of social and economic reform.
Having adopted entertainment as one of the key pillars in its new development plan, ‘Vision 2030’ initiated the lift on the 35-year-old ban on cinema, which in turn has opened up a previously untapped and lucrative revenue stream for the Kingdom and its entertainment sector.
A Kantar TNS study conducted among Saudi residents in 2017 shows fresh opportunities for marketers to make inroads into the Kingdom. As per the research, 67 per cent of respondents said they would head for a round of movie watching and 90 per cent of Saudi residents plan to visit malls with cinemas more often. Thus, cinema advertising is set to become a new growth medium, presenting significant opportunities for advertisers to target young (Saudi Arabia has 32 million consumers with the majority under 25) and affluent (Saudis spend more than $5 billion a year on overseas leisure travel) audiences within KSA.
The government of KSA estimates that movie theatres will contribute over 90 billion riyals ($24 billion) to the economy, with about 300 cinemas and 2,000 screens to be built in the country by 2030.
Existing Cinemas in Saudi Arabia
April 2018 witnessed the launch of Saudi Arabia’s first cinema operated by AMC Theatres – a single screen cinema with a total seating capacity of 620, followed by the launch of VOX Cinemas at Riyadh Park Mall in May 2018 – featuring an IMAX screen, 2 KIDS screens and 1 VIP screen with a total seating capacity of 330.
Upcoming Cinemas in Saudi Arabia
AMC Theatres will be a major contributor to the total cinema count in Saudi Arabia by 2030, as the cinema operator intends to open 30 to 40 cinemas in 15 cities over the next five years, growing to 50 to 100 theatres by 2030.
VOX Cinemas has a SAR 2 billion investment plan in place to expand its footprint to a total of 600 screens in the Kingdom over the next five years. As part of this plan, the leading cinema chain recently announced the opening of the first multiplex in Jeddah at Red Sea Mall by December 2018 – featuring 12 screens which will include three GOLD by Rhodes and an IMAX screen, and a 15-screen multiplex in the first quarter of 2019 at Al Qasr Mall in Riyadh – featuring its signature KIDS and MAX experiences.
Al-Rashed Empire Cinema Consortium – who successfully received a license to operate cinemas in the Kingdom in July 2018, will be the third player in the market. The cinema operator has plans to open as many as 30 cinemas in various cities around Saudi Arabia.
Cinema Advertising in KSA
As the exclusive cinema advertising partner of VOX Cinemas and the only company presently selling cinema advertising in KSA, Motivate Val Morgan has received an overwhelming response since the launch of the cinema at Riyadh Park Mall.
With a growing appetite for international/regional content and world-class cinema experiences, existing cinema operators stepping up plans to open additional screens across the country and more operators expected to enter the fray, KSA presents a hotbed of opportunities for cinema advertisers over the next few years.
Meet the first cinema advertiser in Saudi Arabia, browse the list of upcoming blockbusters releasing in Q4 2018 and contact a member of our sales team for more information on cinema advertising opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
Sources: KSA Entertainment, Film Journal, Gulf News, The Arabian Marketer, The Washington Post, Wikipedia, Saudi Gazette, The Motley Fool, PR Newswire and Arabian Business
It is probably no exaggeration to say the past year has been the most momentous year in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s history with the announcement of a wide range of social reforms – boosting entertainment and allowing women to drive, to take effect in 2018.
In December 2017, Saudi Arabia lifted a 35-year ban on commercial theaters as part of the country’s 2030 vision (stamped by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman) to modernize and move the country forward. Four months after, in April 2018 we witnessed the launch of Saudi Arabia’s first cinema in over three decades (operated by AMC Entertainment), which was followed by the launch of a 4 screen VOX Cinemas at Riyadh Park Mall – featuring an IMAX screen, 2 VOX Kids screens and 1 VIP screen.
As the official cinema advertising partner of VOX Cinemas, Motivate Val Morgan received an overwhelming response from advertisers within hours of the cinema chain launching in the Kingdom. The first advertisers to book on-screen ads through Motivate Val Morgan were Hotels Combined, Chevrolet, GMC, Emirates Airlines, Homecentre and Cartier, to name a few.
On 24th June 2018 followed the end of a decades-long ban on women driving – enabling women (18 years of age and older) to apply for a driver’s license.
For the vast majority of women in the kingdom, the move allowing them to drive represents a new dawn, offering greater freedom of mobility, access to wider job opportunities, and the reclamation of rights.
Timing their cinema campaigns with the lifting of the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia were Audi and Hyundai.
Audi
To mark the monumental day in history, in which woman in Saudi Arabia got into the driver’s seat for the first time ever, Audi created this gripping and inspirational video.
Audi booked a 1-week on-screen campaign to play on all screens of VOX Cinemas – Riyadh Park Mall from 28th June to 4th July 2018.
Hyundai
Hyundai’s #whatsnext campaign is a message from people all over the world, welcoming the women of Saudi Arabia behind the wheel.
Hyundai booked a 6-week on-screen campaign to play on all screens of VOX Cinemas – Riyadh Park Mall from 5th July to 15th August 2018.
An amalgamation where a once banned and re-established medium, screens an advertisement welcoming a deeply symbolic move to put women back in the driver’s seat!
Have a tactical campaign you would like to execute on cinema screens in Saudi Arabia?
Contact a member of our sales team for more information.
Sources: Al Arabia (English), Gulf News, Gulf Business and YouTube (YallaMotor)
