Global Biz Briefs: U.K.’s Vue Expands With CinemaxX, Dubai Sets Innovation Summit
Vue Eyes Germany, Denmark
UK exhibitor Vue Entertainment is moving deeper into Europe with the acquisition of Germany’s CinemaxX. The $172M takeover will push Vue into Germany and Denmark where CinemaxX – whose Potsdamer Platz outpost is a familiar spot for Berlin Film Fest attendees – has a combined 34 moviehouses and over 290 screens. Including its recent acquisition of the Apollo UK circuit, Vue now has 85 cinemas across the UK, Ireland, Portugal and Taiwan for nearly 800 screens. Vue is looking to close the transaction later this year pending clearance by the pertinent authorities.
Dubai Lines Up Speakers For Innovation Summit
The Dubai International Film Festival, the Center for New Cinema and event organizer Naseba will stage the first Cinematic Innovation Summit in Dubai on Dec 8 & 9. The confab will focus on the economic value of cinematic technology for various sectors including telecoms, video games and advertising and showcase innovations driven by artificial intelligence and cognitive science. Execs from the film, gaming, tech and finance worlds will convene to hear speeches given by producer Lauren Shuler Donner, Pixar co-founder Alvy Ray Smith, How To Train Your Dragon filmmaker Dean DeBlois and actor Stephen Lang.
Warner Marketing Exec Joins DDA Blueprint
DDA Blueprint, the specialist PR agency formed late last year, has hired Claire Douglas as account director. Douglas, formerly of Warner Bros International Television, ESPN and Disney, will be responsible for driving the firm’s push into providing marketing services for its entertainment clients. She’ll be based in London. DDA Blueprint is a 50-50 joint venture designed to primarily handle the international and UK television and theater industries.
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