SEVEN to Bring World’s first Play-Doh Attractions to Saudi Arabia

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), in agreement with Hasbro, Inc., a global branded entertainment leader, will develop and operate the world’s first Play-Doh-themed entertainment centers. The centers will open at SEVEN entertainment destinations in eight locations in Saudi Arabia over the next 10 years and will inspire imagination in children across the Kingdom.

Guests will be able to enjoy multilevel playscapes, creativity stations and sensory discovery activity areas that fully immerse them in the essence and joy of playing with Play-Doh compound (or toys). The centers will feature a café area for parents where they can enjoy their time while their children enjoy the Play-Doh entertainment and there will also be a dedicated party and events room; ideal for hosting children’s gatherings.

SEVEN has partnered with Thinkwell Group, a global strategy, experience design, and production agency, to develop the PlayDoh-themed entertainment centers.

Abdullah AlDawood, Chairman, SEVEN, commented: “Our strategic partnership with Hasbro serves to bring the best-in-class entertainment attractions to the people of Saudi Arabia. Our Play-Doh-themed entertainment centers will inspire the creative minds and imaginations of children across the Kingdom. Children will be able to learn while having fun at our Play-Doh centers located at SEVEN entertainment destinations. We are delighted to once again be pioneering the Kingdom’s entertainment landscape with the first ever Play-Doh-themed entertainment centers as we continue to enhance the quality of life for the people of Saudi Arabia.”

SEVEN is investing more than SAR 50 billion to build 21 entertainment destinations that will provide unique and innovative world-class entertainment experiences and global partnerships from within the sector. The upcoming projects are located in 14 cities across the Kingdom: Riyadh, Kharj, Makkah, Jeddah, Taif, Dammam, Khobar, Al Ahsa, Madinah, Yanbu, Abha, Jizan, Buraidah, and Tabuk.

Matt Proulx, VP, Location Based Entertainment at Hasbro, Inc. said: “We are thrilled to be working alongside SEVEN to bring these truly unique experiences to Play-Doh fans in the Kingdom. Championed by our Blueprint 2.0 strategy, Hasbro is creating the bestbranded entertainment experiences. We’re excited for people to visit these immersive attractions in the future that we’re sure will delight new and lifelong fans and families of the brands for many years to come.”

The licensed agreement was signed by Eng. Essam Al Jubair, Chief Operating Officer at SEVEN, and Devrim Anadol, Commercial Director at Hasbro MENA.

SEVEN will develop and operate the world’s first PLAY-DOH attractions in Saudi Arabia

Rockwell Automation Appoints Hussain Al Khater as New MD

Hussain Al Khater has been appointed Managing Director for Saudi Arabia by Rockwell Automation, Inc., the world's leading company committed to industrial automation and digital transformation. His appointment marks the next step in the company's more than 50-year commitment to Saudi Arabia's long-term economic strategy, with Rockwell Automation playing a decisive part in the Kingdom's developing oil and chemicals supply chain. The appointment of Al Khater will herald a reorganization of Rockwell Automation’s business operations in the region, which will focus on Saudi market growth. The new structure allows the company to align with the requirements of Vision 2030 and future growth.

Larkin Martin and Steve Dauphin Join RedSea Board of Directors

The Saudi-based sustainable agriculture technology company, RedSea, has announced the appointment of Larkin Martin to its board of directors. Martin is a seventhgeneration farmer who manages Martin Farm (Alabama) and is Vice President of The Albemarle Corporation. Both are family businesses with interests in agriculture and timberland.

She also holds directorial positions at the Soil Health Institute; NYSE-listed Rayonier Inc., a timberland REIT; and Truxton Trust - a private bank. She is the chairman of Servico - a cotton ginning and agricultural services business, and the former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and The Cotton Board, the statement added.

Steve Dauphin is a founding partner of Bonaventure Capital, with over 25 years of venture capital investment experience. In the last 10 years, his team has focused on ‘backing values-driven teams on missions to solve historically intractable problems’.

“At the heart of RedSea is its mission to help feed the world sustainably. Our firm is committed to helping the team do this by building a great company, with great products and service, that creates significant value for its stakeholders,” Dauphin said.

MARTIN IS A SEVENTH-GENERATION FARMER

AESG Appoints Tom Burkitt as Country Director for KSA

AESG has announced the appointment of Tom Burkitt as the company’s Country Director for Saudi Arabia.

Burkitt’s appointment will see him lead the company’s expansion across the Kingdom, while also helping with the advancement of the National Transformation Plan. Burkitt is a scientist, business analyst, and environmental consultant with 30 years of professional experience. He has a technical background that covers environmental impact assessment, coastal planning, climate risk assessment, capacity building, infrastructure asset management, and the implementation of technologies for solving complex environmental and engineering challenges.

Gensler Appoints Design Director to Strengthen Master Planning Profile

Gensler has announced the appointment of Steven Velegrinis as Design Director for its Middle East operation. Velegrinis will play a global role with an initial focus on the MENA region and an emphasis on KSA.

Velegrinis has 30 years of experience as an urban planner, designer, and landscape architect. His interests and work revolve around the idea of ecological urbanism, and sustainable and resilient cities and places. With large-scale, recent projects such as the NEOM landscape strategy and guidelines, the Al Arous masterplan in Jeddah, and the Wadi Safar masterplan in Riyadh, Velegrinis is well placed to build upon Gensler’s current Master Planning practice.

Forescout Appoints General Manager and Director for MENA Region

Forescout Technologies Inc., the global leader in automated cybersecurity, has announced the appointment of Hassan El Karhani as General Manager for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa region. Also, joining his team is Sam Ismail, the new Director.

In this role, Karhani, who brings decades of senior management and leadership experience along with a deep understanding of the region’s diverse networking and cybersecurity landscape, will expand Forescout’s regional presence, drive growth and investment and streamline the company to better serve organizations and government entities who are faced with an ever-evolving threat landscape. Ismail brings decades of expertise in enhancing profitability and leading successful teams throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. He has a global perspective on innovation and diversity and is highly regarded for his exceptional customer and partner relationships, and proficiency in maximizing solution value and business outcomes.