RIYADH, 13 March 2007 — The Saudi Specialized Publishing Company (SSPC), a subsidiary of the Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG), has signed an agreement with the Walt Disney Company to publish six children’s magazines including Mickey Weekly and Monthly, Princess, Witch, Winnie the Pooh and Minnie in Arabic. The Saudi Distribution Company will distribute these magazines in the Gulf countries as well as in Yemen, Jordan and Lebanon.
“This relation with Disney is considered a major step on the road toward strategic development of our investments in the world of international publishing,” said Prince Faisal bin Salman, chairman of SRMG and its chief executive officer. “It will be followed by other steps for setting up partnership with international publishers, and for expanding in the publishing business in the region,” he added.
Prince Faisal said the move was also intended to develop SRMG’s relations with major publishing and media houses in the world. “This will take our media investments toward another phase that enriches our media experience and adds to it elements of international distinction,” he explained.
It is expected that the publishing of the six magazines will start sometime this year. This cooperation with international companies is regarded as a new expansion of the publishing market of the SSPC. The company is currently negotiating with a number of major international publishers to buy the rights for publishing some of the most famous publications worldwide.
Dr. Azzam Al-Dakhil, deputy CEO of SRMG, said that the group had achieved many distinctive successes in the field of publishing, advertising, printing, distribution, and other services and supporting investments, which together form a powerful incubator for developing specialized media products that the SSPC excels in, including media products that the company has acquired rights for Arabic publication.
Mohammad M. Al-Omar, executive director of the SSPC, emphasized that this partnership with the Walt Disney Company will provide children with weekly and monthly choices in Arabic, and that the number of Disney projects will increase every year so that children can enjoy numerous options that fulfill a variety of interests. He added that in 2007 the company would launch distinctive international media products in many different areas. SSPC will provide the contents of its “Smart Media Projects” in many forms including electronic, mobile content, and even radio and television in the future.
It is worth noting that the SSPC is a culmination of the new investment trends that the group is following. The Walt Disney Company is one of the biggest international media establishments that specialize in products directed specifically toward children of different age groups.
Disney publications are considered among the most widely distributed children’s magazines. Generations of children grew up with Mickey, Minnie, Princess and other Disney characters and magazines. They are widely distributed worldwide and have succeeded in embellishing the world of children in different age groups. They will be reading about the same characters they enjoy watching on TV.
