Something Magical Happened when SM Spells Magic with Disney
One of the most memorable nights of my life happened last September 1 as everyone's favorite Shopping Mall partners with everyone favorite Walt Disney company. Indeed it was a magical night as SM reminded us that there's still a child in each and everyone of us.
I cried surreptitiously when I saw this Disney emblem that has been flashing on the big screen, shaped like a hidden Mickey, on and off that night. Because I keep remembering our nearly antique closet cabinet where a small sticker of Disneyland Florida was plastered. Ever since I was a child, I always touch that sticker and said to myself that someday I'm going there. And it's still in my Bucket List, Go to Disneyland Florida. Florida, not the one in Tokyo or Hong Kong.
SM Group has announced
a collaboration with The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia to bring the Disney
brand of stories closer to Filipinos through mall, retail, entertainment and
amusement opportunities.The two companies aim to bring Disney, Marvel, Pixar
and Star Wars brands to life through unique Disney experiences at SM’s many leisure
and entertainment properties. Fans can look forward to a host of innovative offerings
including Disney branded events, promotions and other unique experiences themed
around fan-favorite Disney brands and characters.
“We are thrilled
to be associated with the iconic Walt Disney Company. Mr. Henry Sy Sr.
envisioned and purposed a second home for Filipinos across the nation where
they can create memorable bonding activities with their families through
amusement facilities, retail centers, and food establishments, all found in one
mall,” says Edgar Tejerero, president of SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. “65
years later, and with 52 malls across the Philippines, it had just been high
time that SM forged an official collaboration with the best family
entertainment company in the world.”
“Every day, we make millions
of Filipinos laugh and smile with our stories and characters from
Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars. We have worked with the various arms of SM
group over the years and today we are delighted to announce our
collaboration on a comprehensive plan to create magical moments and
memories that will last a lifetime for fans across the
Philippines,” said Rob Gilby, Managing Director, The Walt Disney Company
Southeast Asia.
Both SM and
Disney have given, and continue to give, customers happy lifetime memories
across all generations. Both brands offer a legacy, a tradition, a way of
life—a world that customers identify with and find attachment to. Through this
partnership, SM will continue to create these experiences and bring the Disney
magic closer to Filipinos.
SM has
synergized the efforts of all its subsidiaries -- including SM Supermalls, SM Markets,
The SM Store, Toy Kingdom, and its lifestyle and entertainment arm, SM
Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. – to produce a complete and one-of-a-kind Disney
experience for its patrons: from the moment they enter the mall to watch a
movie, to the time they purchase their favourite snack and Disney merchandise. Patrons
can also take their SM Cinema and Disney experience with them home, or wherever
they go, through the newly launched Blink app.
As a precursor
to an already successful association, Disney and SM have worked hand in hand to
bring multiple experiential events to the Filipino families such as the recent Avengers
Experience in SM North Edsa, wherein guests were treated to life-size
characters, avenger-themed games, and a meet and greet with Captain America,
Thor, and Black Widow.
To officially
jumpstart its formal bond as allies, SM and Disney will be launching a “Star
Wars Galactic Christmas” to welcome the latest installment of the movie, “Star
Wars: The Force Awakens.” The exhibit will
include life-size figurines of characters from the movie, interactive games,
and official merchandise from the SM Store and Toy Kingdom.
Watch out for
the “Star Wars Galactic Christmas” event in Select SM Supermalls near you.
Super great news for me as the Star Wars fanatic in me couldn't be more happier with this news Can't wait.
About SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc.
SM
Lifestyle Entertainment Incorporated or SMLEI is the lifestyle and
entertainment solutions company of SM Prime Holdings Inc. that offers the best
in movies, events, and leisure. Starting with SM Cinema, the largest cinema
exhibitor in the country, as its sole marque, the company grew into fourteen
major brands. Currently tucked under its belt are: SM Cinema, Director’s Club
Cinema, IMAX Theatre, XD: 4D Theatre, WM Cinemas, SM Skating Rink, SM Bowling
and Leisure Center, Exploreum, Galeon, Snack Time, e-PLUS Tap to Pay, Mall of
Asia Arena, SM Tickets, and Blink. SMLEI
aims to promote bonding activities among Filipino families and friends, through
entertainment and leisure facilities, while advocating the ease of use and
personalized service created to complement the Filipino lifestyle.
About The Walt Disney Company in Southeast Asia
(NYSE:DIS)
The Walt Disney Company has been active in
Southeast Asia since 1995 when Disney Channel first launched in Malaysia and
has grown to five offices in the region (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the
Philippines) with the headquarters in Singapore, employing over 300 permanent
staff. Disney is one of the most active and largest global entertainment
companies in the region with diversified businesses in film, consumer products,
publishing, mobile content, television and family entertainment overseeing
content from six key brands: Disney, Pixar, Marvel, ESPN, ABC and Lucasfilm.
Television is a key driver in growing the Disney
brand in the region. The three Disney-branded channels available across the
region are: Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD. The company also
distributes Disney owned programs and channels to television, mobile, broadband
and on-demand platforms to over 25Southeast Asian providers including
terrestrial broadcasters, pay-TV and channels as well as digital platforms.
Studio
Entertainment reached new box office heights with several titles in 2015. Big
Hero 6 was a phenomenal animation success for SEA, and set new records as the
biggest animation release of all time in several markets. Marvel’s Avengers:
Age of Ultron achieved the Biggest Opening Weekend in Philippines and was the 2nd
Biggest Opening Weekend in Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
As one of the world’s largest creators of
high-quality digital experiences, Disney Interactive produces interactive
entertainment for the whole family including multi-platform video games, online
short form video, mobile and social games and digital destinations across all
current and emerging media platforms. Entertaining guests of all ages,
Disney Interactive’s key products include the video game platform Disney
Infinity, top virtual world for kids Club Penguin, popular mobile franchises
like Frozen Free Fall and Disney TsumTsum, top online destinations for kids,
parents and fans including Disney.com, Oh My Disney, and Babble.com and the
Disney social network reaching more than 1 billion guests on Facebook.
From apparel and toys to food and stationery,
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the world’s leading licensor and works with
over 400 licensees across all product categories in Southeast Asia for all ages
and lifestyles. Disney Publishing is active in 6 countries in 6 different
languages in Southeast Asia, publishing a diverse range of products in the
region including story, activity and e-books, magazines and comics that reach a
wide demographic from pre-schoolers to pre-teens and adults.For more
information, please visit www.Disney.ph.
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