Riyadh: VOX Cinemas’, the largest cinema operator in the MENA region has today signed an exclusive distribution deal with Myrkott, the leading Saudi production company behind YouTube animated hit ‘Masameer’ that has attracted more than 700 million views across social media. The announcement marks the first deal of its kind with a Saudi production company and will see Myrkott content screened across the Middle East and North Africa, including the exclusive distribution of a forthcoming feature film based on their popular YouTube show.
With two million YouTube subscribers and a further three million followers across Facebook and Twitter, Myrkott has produced more than 100 ‘Masameer’ shows covering a variety of subjects related to Saudi society and the pursuit of the 2030 Vision. It has worked with a variety of high profile partners including the General Commission of Audiovisual Media (GCAM) and the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, using comedy to appeal to Arab audiences around the world.
The Myrkott deal also represents a major boost for the General Commission of Audiovisual Media to support the creation and distribution of original local Saudi content and inspire future content producers across the Kingdom.
Commenting on the agreement, Mohamed Al Hashemi, Country Manager - KSA at Majid Al Futtaim Ventures, operator of the Middle East’s most popular cinema brand, said: “Myrkott is proof that Saudi creative industries are going to be a powerful player regionally and internationally in the years to come. VOX Cinemas is delighted to provide Myrkott the regional distribution pedigree that will help their already hugely successful content find new audiences.”
Myrkott General Manager Abdulaziz Almuzaini commented on the deal saying, “This is a huge moment for Myrkott and we are honoured to be the first home-grown Saudi production company to secure a regional distribution deal. To become successful in the movie business you need great content, great distribution and great marketing – we now have all of these elements through our partnership with VOX Cinemas.”
Myrkott is the leading animation studio in Saudi Arabia. The company specialises in creating powerful local content for Saudi and the Gulf in both 2D and 3D format. With more than six years of experience, Myrkott was established in 2013 by a group of Saudi creative artists.
Owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas, VOX Cinemas is the cinema arm of Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa with over 300 screens across the region.
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About Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas
VOX Cinemas is the Middle East’s most innovative and customer-focused cinema exhibitor. Owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas, VOX Cinemas is the cinema arm of Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa. With 31 cinema complexes totalling 301 screens across the region, including 163 screens in the UAE, 15 screens in Lebanon, 47 screens in Oman, 30 screens in Bahrain and 28 screens in Egypt and 18 screens in Qatar, VOX Cinemas is now the Middle East’s largest and most rapidly growing cinema exhibitor.
The company is undergoing a 1.2 billion Dirham investment that will see the company expand to operate 600 screens across 50 locations in the region by 2020. Tailoring every cinema location to the surrounding market place and customer preferences, VOX Cinemas offers a mix of cinema experiences including two luxury cinema concepts, THEATRE by Rhodes and GOLD by Rhodes which are collaborations with Michelin-starred Chef Gary Rhodes. Taking the MAX big screen cinema to the next level, VOX Cinemas currently operates the Middle East’s largest cinema screen in the region at the Virgin Radio MAX screen in City Centre Deira in Dubai. VOX Cinemas also has the very first and only IMAX with Laser screen in the Middle East, holds the Middle East’s exclusive rights to the immersive 4DX experience, and operates KIDS, the very first cinema in the Middle East dedicated to kids having fun. VOX Cinemas also recently introduced OUTDOOR, the first open air VOX Cinemas in the region located on Galleria Mall’s Rooftop in Dubai for the cooler months of the year.
About Majid Al Futtaim
Founded in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim is the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
A remarkable business success story, Majid Al Futtaim started from one man’s vision to transform the face of shopping, entertainment and leisure to ‘create great moments for everyone, every day’. It has since grown into one of the United Arab Emirates’ most respected and successful businesses spanning 15 international markets, employing more than 40,000 people, and obtaining the highest credit rating (BBB) among privately-held corporates in the region.
Majid Al Futtaim owns and operates 22 shopping malls, 12 hotels and three mixed-use communities, with further developments underway in the region. The shopping malls portfolio includes Mall of the Emirates, Mall of Egypt, City Centre malls, My City Centre neighbourhood centres, and four community malls which are in joint venture with the Government of Sharjah. The Company is the exclusive franchisee for Carrefour in 38 markets across Middle East, Africa and Asia, and operates a portfolio of more than 230 outlets in 15 countries.
Majid Al Futtaim operates over 300 VOX Cinema screens and 32 Magic Planet family entertainment centres across the region, in addition to iconic leisure and entertainment facilities such as Ski Dubai, Orbi Dubai and Ski Egypt, among others. The Company is parent to the consumer finance company 'Najm', a fashion retail business representing international brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, AllSaints, lululemon athletica, Crate & Barrel and Maison du Monde; and a healthcare business that operates City Centre Clinics. In addition, Majid Al Futtaim operates Enova, a facility and energy management company, through a joint venture operation with Veolia, a global leader in optimised environment resource management. The Company also owns the rights to The LEGO Store and American Girl in the Middle East and operates in the food and beverage industry through a partnership with Gourmet Gulf.
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© Press Release 2018
