Novo Cinemas builds on the success of Grand Cinemas and defines the future of cinema-going in the region with a socially interactive approach.
New brand launched at opening of new cinema complex at Abu Dhabi World Trade Centre Mall with exclusive theatre premiere
6 May 2014 - Abu Dhabi - UAE: A Hollywood-style red carpet premiere in Abu Dhabi has seen the launch of a new cinema brand for the region with the announcement that Grand Cinemas has rebranded itself as Novo Cinemas. The announcement came as the company inaugurated its flagship location in the UAE capital with a special screening of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 in the presence of VIP guests and a specially invited audience.
Novo Cinemas, a fresh and expanding outlook with the same heart:
Born of a passion for movies, and a mission to entertain cinema fans in the region, Grand Cinemas has built a highly successful legacy of cinematic excellence for the past 14 years. Now Novo Cinemas is proud to carry this pioneering spirit forward and build on the largest and most visited chain of movie theatres in the Middle East.
Novo Cinemas has launched itself with an identity that promises a complete entertainment experience in tune with the evolving social habits and needs of today's cinema-goers, as well as ensuring new industry standards that promise to add value to its loyal and prospective customer base.
The new name and image of Novo Cinemas' rebranding is a significant part of an ongoing regional expansion strategy by parent company, q.media. In addition to the opening of the World Trade Center Mall-Abu Dhabi cineplex this week, the expansion will see new theatres inaugurated in The Pearl-Qatar and Dubai's Dragon Mart, as well as a flagship cinema in Muharraq Mall, Bahrain, among others. The plan will bring the number of Novo Cinemas screens in the region to over 200 by 2015.
Novo Cinemas World Trade Center Mall-Abu Dhabi; A Premium Cinema Experience at the Heart of the Capital
The rebranding comes as Novo Cinemas introduces a brand new theatre complex at the World Trade Centre-Abu Dhabi in the heart of the UAE capital's rejuvenated central market, and the perfect location from which to launch the future of cinema in the region.
Novo Cinemas World Trade Center Mall - Abu Dhabi boasts over 1,400 seats spread over 8 screens, with some featuring balcony seating reminiscent of the golden age of cinema as well as an ultra-premium 7-Star viewing experience. E-booking and E-kiosks, in addition to a number of manned box offices will minimise the waiting time to book tickets, while two concession stands will also allow viewers to purchase their refreshments without delay. A seated coffee bar allows movie-goers the chance to socialise in comfort before and after the movie.
Speaking at the launch event, Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, CEO of Novo Cinemas, said: "We are very proud of our Grand Cinemas heritage but are confident that with our new brand name and positioning we can ensure that we build much further on our reputation as a leader for innovation and growth in the regional market. We are totally committed to taking the cinema-going experience to new heights while ensuring our customers can identify with the 'Novo experience', which portrays our relentless desire to shape the future of cinema in the region."
What's New at Novo Cinemas?
In addition to a fresh and young looking atmosphere that will soon roll out in existing Grand Cinemas outlets in the region, Novo Cinemas will allow cinema-goers the ability to customise their night out through a clearly differentiated choice of seating and theatre options. NOVO COOL, NOVO EDGE and NOVO SKY represent the variety of seating positions within the theatre, from standard seats to superior back-row seats to iconic balcony views (where available).Meanwhile, three theatre classes define the type of experience to be had. NOVO 3D brings the exhilarating experience of 3D visuals to the viewer's world, while NOVO IMAX represents the world's leading immersive cinema experience. However the most lavish way to enjoy those big summer blockbusters would be through NOVO 7-STAR, which offers unprecedented levels of comfort and personalised service guaranteed to make every viewing experience unique and memorable.
Grand Cinemas Firsts - Key Milestones:
2005 First and only IMAX theatre in the UAE
2007 E/TICKET
2008 E/KIOSK
2010 Cinema Dedicated Mobile App
2014 Facebook Ticketing
About NOVO CINEMAS
With a rich legacy of cinema firsts, a passion for movies and a mission to entertain film fans everywhere, Novo Cinemas is proud to be the largest and most visited chain of theatres in the Middle East.
The journey began in 2000 under the Grand Cinemas brand; precisely, the launch of the flagship Grand Cineplex in Dubai, United Arab Emirates as the cornerstone of an entertainment chain that would soon extend across borders and introduce to the region pioneering cinema technologies such as online booking, e-kiosks and the first cinema-dedicated mobile app, as well as the UAE's only IMAX screen.
In 2012, Grand Cinemas was acquired by Qatar Media Services (q.media) as part of the Gulf Film Group, and so began an exciting new chapter in our story.
In 2014, in tune to the evolving social habits and needs of today's movie-goers, the parent company took the bold decision to rebrand to Novo Cinemas; an identity that would reflect our promise of a completely new entertainment experience that will keep the chain's pioneering legacy at its heart.
In the same year, the Novo Cinemas World Trade Centre-Abu Dhabi was inaugurated; a location near and dear to Emirati hearts in the capital's rejuvenated old central market. Later this year, Novo Cinemas will take premium cinema to Qatar, welcoming movie-goers at the luxury island destination of The Pearl-Qatar to a whole new experience that promises to change the way Qatari residents experience movies.
As a result, Novo Cinemas' expansive network will span no fewer than 119 screens and 22,000 seats in 15 locations across the UAE, Qatar and Jordan. Further expansion will see these numbers grow to over 200 screens by 2015 with new cineplexes to be inaugurated in Dubai's Dragon Mart, Al Ain's Boutik Mall, Bahrain's Seef Muharraq Mall and Doha's Tawar Mall to name a few. Our IMAX network will also extend to four spectacular screens in select locations.
Where people once came together solely for a viewing experience, now they meet, share, contribute, celebrate and connect. Grand Cinemas became the largest chain of cinemas in the Middle East by pushing boundaries, pioneering change, and consistently striving for the "new". Now Grand Cinemas is Novo Cinemas, because a great movie is just the beginning.
Novo Cinemas. A Great Time Out
About GULF FILM
Gulf Film was established in 1989, a film distributor of major studio productions and independent movies in both Arabic and English to audiences across the region. An industry leader for 25 years, Gulf Film distributes and exhibits over 150 titles per annum. Recognising the potential of film exhibition, Gulf Film in 2000 expanded its industry portfolio with the creation of Grand Cinemas, known today as Novo Cinemas.
Through the support of parent company Qatar Media Services (q.media), Gulf Film and Novo Cinemas aim to offer a comprehensive range of film and entertainment services to existing and new markets. The combination of q.media, Gulf Film and Novo Cinemas creates a regional powerhouse in entertainment that will provide the latest in film innovation and set worldwide standards in the area and beyond.
Gulf Film is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
About QATAR MEDIA SERVICES
Owned by the Qatari government, Qatar Media Services (q.media) is dedicated to providing the latest innovative advertising and media concepts to the Middle East region.
q.media was established in 2004 with the vision to work in outdoor, audio and visual advertising, print, events and conferences and the cinema industry. In addition to its broad business portfolio within Qatar, q.media also owns a number of operations globally, including the largest film distributor and exhibitor in the Middle East and a leading outdoor advertising company which operates throughout Australia, Indonesia and Vietnam.
For Media Queries, Please contact:
Clement Dean, Account Manager
BPG | Cohn&Wolfe
Email: dean@bpgcohnwolfe.com
Tel: +971 4 295 3456 Ext-317
© Press Release 2014
