Doha: Qatar residents will see an increase in high-quality, world-class family entertainment following a recent joint venture between q.media Events and Sport & Entertainment Solutions (SES), the agency promoting Disney On Ice and Disney Live! Across the Middle East.
The joint venture not only aims to revamp Qatar’s family entertainment industry but also enhance Qatar’s opportunity to host more live events such as the popular live motoring event, Monster Jam, and the soon to be launched Marvel Universe Live!
In 2013, SES signed a five-year deal with international family entertainment giants, Feld Entertainment, the producer of Disney On Ice and Disney Live! to bring more of Feld’s catalogue of live events to the Middle East.
q.media’s Group CEO, Jaber Al Ansari, said q.media Events, part of q.media Group, plans to focus on investing in Qatar’s family entertainment industry.
“This portion of Qatar’s live event market has not seen huge investment to date, however q.media Events is set to change that with our recent joint venture with SES.
“Our aim is to make Qatar a leader in family entertainment and a key tourist destination for the region.
“We want to bring to the people of Qatar the world’s best entertainers and create a strong reputation for our events. Our joint venture with SES will no doubt achieve this.”
Qatar Tourism Authority’s (QTA) National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030 focuses on advancing the tourism industry across sectors, including family entertainment. The vision is to make Qatar a world leader in hosting international events, conferences and exhibitions.
QTA supported the first Disney On Ice production staged in Doha last summer and Disney Live! earlier this year.
Its investment proved to be a success with events attracting regional visitors to Doha.
Ali Haidary, SES Founder and CEO, praised q.media Event’s commitment to revamp Qatar’s live entertainment scene, and said the joint venture was a step in the right direction to make the country the leading family entertainment destination and hub in the region.
He said the joint venture will take effect immediately with the first engagement being Disney On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After on September 24-27 at Qatar National Convention Centre.
“q.media Events is the leading media and events entity in Qatar and we’re pleased to be working in partnership with them to bring quality and authentic live entertainment concepts to Doha.
“Our five-year agreement with Feld also allows us to offer residents continuity with Disney On Ice and Disney Live! brands,” he said.
In 2013, Disney On Ice presented 100 Years of Magic which set a record with over 40,000 tickets sold for eight public and three private shows, making it the most successful family entertainment show in history.
Families queued outside Virgin Megastores in Landmark and Villaggio to secure tickets. About 15,000 tickets were sold in the first week.
q.media Events and SES, with the support of QTA and local partners, expect to see an influx of visitors from the GCC for Rockin’ Ever After. Tickets are on sale at all Virgin Megastores and online at www.virginmegastore.qa. Prices start at QR175.
The Peninsula
