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Tag: entertainment

  • HMV owes US$600,000 unpaid rental, face legal case

    HMV owes US$600,000 unpaid rental, face legal case

    Gadget, movie and music retailer HMV may face eviction from several of its Hong Kong store locations in coming weeks as landlords seek to recover unpaid rents and charges. Separate lawsuits have been filed relating to HMV stores in Causeway Bay, Central and Kowloon Bay, collectively seeking more than HK$5 million (US$640,000), according to court documents.

    The four-story HMV flagship store on Paterson Street in Causeway Bay was leased from Ever Light in July 2015 for four years at a monthly rent of $1.59 million for the first two years and $1.72 million for the ensuing two.

    Another store on Queen’s Road Central was leased in September 2016 from Pridemax for a term of six years at an initial monthly rent of $1 million.

    Those two landlords lodged legal action in the High Court of Hong Kong seeking payment of overdue amounts and vacation of the premises.

    About three weeks ago, MTR Corporation issued legal proceedings seeking to recover $273,300 in unpaid rent and charges and demanded the store vacate its space in Telford Plaza shopping mall.

    HMV was acquired by China 3D Digital Entertainment in March 2016 for $408 million, with the vendor, private equity company AID Partners retaining an approximate 18 per cent share.

    In 2015 AID received widespread acclaim for the restructure of the Hong Kong operations of what was once an iconic international brand name in music and movie retailing, but which collapsed in other markets with the advent of digital streaming undermining the popularity of DVDs and CDs.

    The Causeway Bay flagship, which incorporates a cafe and live music performance space, began specialising in lifestyle items including headphones, toys and even scooters, along with recognising the returning popularity of vinyl records.

  • Swee Lee Music Malaysia reopened

    Swee Lee Music Malaysia reopened

    Southeast Asian musical instruments retailer Swee Lee Music has opened a refurbished flagship in Malaysia. The 4995sqft location in Lot 10 Mall is Swee Lee’s 15th store in the region, and one of three in Malaysia. Beyond its range of instruments, the store sells vinyl records and curated lifestyle products, and has partnered with second-hand guitar retailer Well Played Gear to offer its products in store. High-end consumer audio goods are also available for purchase.

    The store represents the first build of Swee Lee’s retro-futuristic wood/concrete interior design aesthetic in Malaysia. It also reserves space for a cafe and performance events.

    Swee Lee’s MD of music Meng Ru Kuok said: “Since Swee Lee began operating in Malaysia three years ago, we’ve been delighted to support local musicians as they pursue their creative journeys.

    The refurbished KL flagship store is about taking this to the next level. In a dynamic city like Kuala Lumpur, which has a deep passion for music and incredibly talented artists, we want to establish a space where anyone can be inspired to connect and create.”

    View the gallery below (4 images) :

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  • Lego opens its first official store in Thailand at Siam Paragon

    Lego opens its first official store in Thailand at Siam Paragon

    The first certified Lego Thailand store has opened at Siam Paragon in Bangkok. The Danish building-toy manufacturer says the move is part of the brand’s strategic plan for Asian expansion. The new 170sqm Lego Thailand store has opened in a “co-sharing” partnership with DKSH (Thailand) Ltd. It  offers more than 300 Lego toys, 32 of which are exclusive to certified, branded Lego outlets.

    Lego Singapore GM for emerging Asia Atsushi Hasegawa said Thailand is an attractive market for Lego. “The country has an established economy, a large population and an established retail industry … We expect to see faster growth in Asia, including Thailand, and sustainable growth in Europe and America.”

    Hasegawa added that Lego’s targeting of the Asian market recognises that it is home to more than half of the world’s children. While Asia still has a low base for Lego toys compared to many established markets in the West, the company is seeing an opportunity to boost its sales by five or six times in the region.

    Gallery below (6 images) :

    According to Hasegawa, the company’s initial priority is not to increase the number of Lego stores, but to deliver the right brand experience to children at the right locations.

    DKSH’s director of commercial development Arden Feschuk said the company expects the Lego Thailand store will achieve THB100 million (US$3.05 million) in sales in its first year. There is also a plan to expand the number of Lego-certified stores in Thailand later.

    “During the first year of opening, more than 400,000 people are expected to visit the store, with Thais accounting for 60 per cent and foreigners 40 per cent. Due to the company’s one-price strategy, exclusive Lego sets will cost the same here as they do in neighbouring countries.

    “Due to this, Lego fans will no longer have to go overseas to buy Lego products. Also, new collections will be launched at the same time as in the US and Europe”.

    Sixty per cent of Lego’s Thailand sales are currently brought in via distribution in department stores, while more than 15 per cent is derived from specialist toy stores.

  • World’s first Nerf experience centre coming to Marina Square in 2019

    World’s first Nerf experience centre coming to Marina Square in 2019

    Shopping mall Marina Square has been chosen as the venue for the world’s first Nerf family entertainment centre. The Nerf Experience Singapore will open in the second half of next year, following a licensing agreement between Kingsmen Creatives subsidiary Nax Singapore and the Nerf brand’s parent Hasbro who will co-conceptualise, create, build and operate multiple Nerf experiences across Asia Pacific. Nerf is a collection of toys, mostly foam-firing plastic guns.

    Plans are underway to translate the Nerf brand values into a vast play experience occupying an 18,000sqft space on the ground level of Marina Square. Nerf Experience Singapore will feature multiple activity zones that promote active play and teamwork.

    CEO of Marina Square Lim Hock San said “Marina Square is positioned as a family mall in the city. The injection of the Nerf experiences fits our overall positioning and strategy to provide more activity-based experiences for the whole family. We believe the concept will be a great draw for both locals and tourists, creating much life and energy in the Marina Centre precinct.”

    Group CEO of Kingsmen Andrew Cheng said Nerf Experience Singapore is designed to be a year-round family destination and Marina Square is an excellent launchpad for the attraction.

    “Our goal is to create a brand of unique participative experiences that guests of any age can enjoy and will want to return to. With families constantly on the lookout for things to do together, we are confident that our offering of adrenaline-filled fun, coupled with enriching experiences will be a hit.”

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  • Quuen movie inspires rock band instrument sales in Korea

    Quuen movie inspires rock band instrument sales in Korea

    Musical instrument sales are booming as Queen mania continues to sweep the country. Sales of instruments used by rock bands – like drums and guitars – have skyrocketed following the release of Freddie Mercury-biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” according to online shopping site Gmarket on Wednesday.

    The increase was most pronounced among customers in their 40s and 50s who grew up when Queen first hit the music scene in the 1970s and ‘80s.

    The film, which has been popular globally, opened in Korea on Oct. 31.

    According to data on instrument purchases between Nov. 3 and Dec. 2 released by Gmarket, over-50s consumers purchased 14 percent more electric guitars in that month compared to the same period last year.

    Consumers in that age range purchased 433 percent more drum sets and 129 percent more sticks for drumming. They bought 35 percent more digital pianos in the same period year on year. Sales of portable amplifiers – an essential tool for electric instrument players – doubled.

    Among consumers in their 40s, piano sales grew 50 percent year-on-year.

    The same demographic purchased 20 percent more electric guitars and 22 percent more drum sets in the same period.

    Notably, the purchase of portable headphone amplifiers increased eightfold among consumers in their 40s. These amplifiers improve the quality of sound heard through headphones, making them a popular tool for people who want to practice playing electric instruments by themselves or at night.

    “Consumers are showing more interest in [rock] band instruments as Queen songs sweep the music charts and flood the radios on the strength of “Bohemian Rhapsody’s” popularity,” said a Gmarket spokesperson. “Instrument sales have especially increased among men in their 40s and 50s.”

    “Sales of records and music by Queen also rose,” he added, “though there was no noticeable change in the purchasing patterns of younger consumers.”

    Koreans have shown an unusually high interest in the British rock band’s biopic compared to audiences elsewhere.

    According to film database Box Office Mojo, “Bohemian Rhapsody’s” box office gross in Korea is the third highest in the world, at $36,206,310 as of Nov. 25.

    Korea is only topped by the United States and Britain in ticket sales, and comes far ahead of runners-up Australia and France.

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  • Remodeled M&M’S World Shanghai reopened

    Remodeled M&M’S World Shanghai reopened

    M&Ms World Shanghai reopened yesterday in Shanghai Shimao International Plaza. The newly remodeled 1600sqm interactive store, which offers an immersive, personalised experience with the M&M brand to residents and tourists, remains the only one based in Asia.

    The store is part of the global M&Ms retail business, which includes My M&Ms’ e-commerce sites and a B2B channel in the US and Europe.

    The M&Ms World Shanghai experience store features a “Great Wall of Chocolate” made out of more than 1 million M&Ms, a personalised printer, and a device that scans customers to create a personalised M&Ms avatar. It also features an improved checkout experience that allows mobile payment options from Alipay, WeChat and Apple Pay.

  • Hamleys Japan in talk for theme park JV

    Hamleys Japan in talk for theme park JV

    Chinese-owned, British headquartered toy store chain Hamleys has entered the Japanese retail market, opening two theme-park styled outlets. Hamleys Japan is targeting 4 million visitors to each store within the first year, with a view to opening 30 stores in the territory over the next five years.

    The new stores have opened in Yokohama (at 32,300sqft) and Fukuoka (at 58,100sqft) in partnership with local video games firm Bandai Namco in a £300 million (US$381.7 million) venture. Each store features around 6000 products on sale and entertainment facilities such as merry-go-rounds, games corners and infant play spaces.

    Hamleys CEO Ralph Cunningham said Japan represents “an exciting and important market” and is key to Hamleys’ continued international growth strategy.

    “We look forward to bringing smiles to the faces of children and families all over Japan and delivering the unique Hamleys in-store experience to this fantastic market.”

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  • First Sony Lounge opens in Malaysia

    First Sony Lounge opens in Malaysia

    Sony has opened its first Play Everything Lounge by PlayStation in Southeast Asia at Sunway Pyramid. The lounge, operated by Sony Interactive Entertainment’s local office, will be open until February 17. Sunway Malls and Theme Parks CEO HC Chan said he was honoured the mall has remained a mall-of-choice for experiences. “The partnership with Sony Interactive Entertainment signifies a true collaborative curation by two of the leading names of the industry. It is our privilege to work with a world-renowned gaming giant to bring another dimension of experiences for our shoppers. It is important for malls to go beyond conventions to stay relevant.”

    Sony’s regional head Hidetoshi Takigawa noted the strong performance of the PlayStation business in Malaysia, and said the Sunway Pyramid store is a means for the brand to engage with its local fans.

    Southeast Asia’s first PlayStation Experience was held in Kuala Lumpur last year.

    Gaming tournaments, community engagement activities and unreleased game trials are expected to be held in the space. A virtual reality area allows visitors to try Sony’s PlayStation VR gaming system for PlayStation 4.

    View the image of the lounge below (6 pictures) :

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  • Genting sues The Walt Disney Co for cancelled theme park contract

    Genting sues The Walt Disney Co for cancelled theme park contract

    Genting Malaysia Bhd’s share price fell as much as 18.6% today on news that it is suing Twenty-First Century Fox Inc and The Walt Disney Co for more than US$1 billion (RM4.19 billion) for terminating their contract to develop a Fox-branded theme park at Resorts World Genting in Malaysia. The Fox theme park is a key selling point of the Malaysian casino resort group’s multi-billion ringgit Genting Integrated Tourism Plan.

    Genting Malaysia told Bursa Malaysia today it is suing Fox Entertainment Group, LLC, Twentieth-Century Fox Film Corp, FoxNext, LLC (collectively known as FOX), Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc (21CF) and The Walt Disney Co for the termination of a memorandum of agreement (MoA) relating to the theme park project.

    The Walt Disney Co is in the process of acquring Twenty-First Century Fox.

    Genting Malaysia was the most actively traded counter on the local stock market today, closing 16.7% lower at RM3.00 with some 276.3 million shares traded. It opened lower at RM3 and fell as much as 67 sen from its last adjusted closing price of RM3.60, to trade at a low of RM2.93.

    In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Genting Malaysia said it has filed legal proceedings in the US against FOX, 21CF and Walt Disney, in response to a notice issued by FOX in which it terminated the MoA and claimed about US$46.2 million (about RM193.6 million) in accelerated payments.

    “Genting Malaysia denies that FOX had grounds to terminate the MoA, denies any liability resulting therefrom, and has pursued cause of action against FOX for breach of contract, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, among others,” it said.

    The group has also pursued cause of action against Disney and 21CF for inducing breach of contract and for interference with contract.

    The group said it intends to fully enforce its rights under the MoA, claim for the cost of its investments and consequential and punitive damages that in total will exceed US$1 billion, and such other reliefs to be determined by the court.

    Genting Malaysia said the litigation is not expected to impact its current business operations. It said the validity of the causes of action as well as the availability and extent of Genting Malaysia’s damages cannot be ascertained at this juncture.

    To recap, Genting Malaysia entered into the MoA dated June 1, 2013 with Twentieth-Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising, a division of Fox Entertainment Group, Inc. Genting Malaysia was granted a licence to use certain intellectual property rights associated with Fox theatrical motion pictures in connection with the design, development, construction and operation of what was to be called the Twentieth-Century Fox World Theme Park. The MoA was subsequently amended on June 10, 2014 and June 9, 2017.

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  • The Walt Disney Company appoints new Head of Consumer Products Commercialization

    The Walt Disney Company appoints new Head of Consumer Products Commercialization

    The Walt Disney Company has announced the appointment of Mahesh Samat, Executive Vice President, Disney Consumer Products Commercialization for the Asia Pacific region. Reporting into Ken Potrock, President, Disney Consumer Products Commercialization, he takes on responsibility for the commercialization of Disney franchises across merchandise, publishing and licensed games throughout India, Southeast Asia, Greater China, Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

    Samat rejoined The Walt Disney Company in India in November 2016 and went on to integrate the Southeast Asia and India businesses to form The Walt Disney Company’s South Asia regional hub in September 2017. He led most of Disney’s integrated business units driving new strategies that are providing tremendous growth for global franchises and unilaterally creating new business opportunities for all Disney businesses. He previously led The Walt Disney Company’s India operations from 2008-2012.

    “The Asia Pacific region continues to provide immense opportunity for Disney products and experiences,” said Potrock. “I am confident that Mahesh’s proven leadership and steadfast focus on innovation and entrepreneurship will deliver dynamic growth across our brands and product categories.”

    “Disney products and experiences bring our stories and characters closer to fans every day. I am pleased to have the opportunity to lead this exceptional team to delight kids and families across these high growth Asian markets,” said Samat.

    With more than twenty-five years of experience in FMCG, Media and Healthcare across India, Asia-Pacific and Europe, Samat previously worked with Johnson & Johnson, Kellogg’s, Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis and Boots India Limited. Between 2012 and 2016, he established the Epic Television Networks and its popular Hindi-language, The Epic Channel in India.

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  • Vingroup to open casino in Pho Quoc Island

    Vingroup to open casino in Pho Quoc Island

    A Vingroup-invested firm has been allowed to include a casino in a hotel-amusement complex on Vietnam’s largest island Phu Quoc. The People’s Committee of Kien Giang Province announced that the Prime Minister has approved in principle the casino’s inclusion in a hotel-amusement being built on the southern province’s island. With the casino business, total investment in the complex will increase to VND50 trillion ($2.14 billion).

    The complex, which is under construction, is scheduled to start operating in 2021. Its main investor is the Phu Quoc Tourism Investment and Development Jsc, a company in which Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate, holds a 50 percent stake.

    The casino project is part of a pilot program that would allow Vietnamese citizens to gamble in casinos in the country for the first time.

    For decades, Vietnam has banned gambling as a social evil. Vietnamese were also prohibited from gambling in the few casinos that have been built in the country.

    Shifting its stance, the government has allowed citizens over 21 years old with a monthly income of at least VND10 million ($445) to gamble in local casinos from last March under a three-year pilot program. However, the casinos have to obtain approval from the government on a case-by-case basis to allow Vietnamese citizens to use their services.

    Vietnam’s average annual income was around $2,200 last year.

    There are fewer than 10 casinos in Vietnam, mostly smaller ones outside major cities. Their services are reserved exclusively for foreign passport holders.

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  • LG U+ IPTVs get Netflix in Korea

    LG U+ IPTVs get Netflix in Korea

    Netflix content will be available on LG U+ internet protocol TVs (IPTV) today. Under an exclusive IPTV deal inked with LG U+, Netflix content, including Netflix Originals, will be aired through LG’s platform, the carrier said Wednesday.

    LG subscribers won’t have to replace their existing set-top boxes as they will be automatically upgraded, though services will be first offered to the 1.07 million users of LG’s latest set-top box, dubbed UHD2, and gradually rolled out to other set-top boxes.

    Considering Netflix offers over 22,000 movies and television shows, including its big-name original content like “House of Cards,” “Stranger Things” and “Orange Is the New Black,” this is a good chance for the smallest carrier in Korea to steal some subscribers.

    By next month, the carrier will also reform the user interface of its IPTV so users have easier access to Netflix content as well as its own kids’ content platform, dubbed “Kid’s World,” that is gaining popularity among customers in their 30s and 40s with children. LG is banking on both services for the further growth of its IPTV business, according to Song Gu-young, senior vice president and head of home and media business at LG U+.

    The revamped interface could look similar to the Netflix app. When a user selects a video, an image related to the video will fill up the whole screen and a preview will run automatically, which is similar to how video previews are played on the Netflix app.

    The partnership between LG U+ and Netflix is no surprise as the market has long been expecting the announcement, but what’s still not clear is whether the carrier will offer a phone plan centered on Netflix. Without a useful plan, existing users of Netflix might not feel the urge to migrate to LG just for the IPTV service because it would only mean they get better access to Netflix content on the LG platform, but for the same monthly fee.

    LG is reportedly planning to roll out phone plans with a Netflix discount, according to an industry source, but it might take some time as new plans need government approval.

    For the time being, LG U+ is giving out free three-month Netflix trials to new subscribers of its IPTV plans worth at least 15,400 won ($13.50) per month until the end of this year.

    Korea’s mobile carriers have shifted their focus to the IPTV business as sales from traditional mobile phone subscriptions faltered after the government pressured them to make monthly phone bills cheaper last year.

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  • Hanoi revives $500 million horse racing, entertainment complex

    Hanoi revives $500 million horse racing, entertainment complex

    A $500 million complex including horse racing in Soc Son District is off the shelf after 10 years. Hanoi authorities have approved the addition of the long-delayed Soc Son multi-purpose entertainment complex and horse racecourse project to the city’s master plan on socio-economic development to 2020 with orientation until 2030.

    The total investment for this project is currently estimated at about $500 million. The project is expected to go into operation after 2021.

    The planned site is mostly agricultural land. Once put into operation, the project will employ an estimated 5,000 direct laborers and 20,000-25,000 indirect laborers, generating a relatively large, regular revenue for the city’ budget.

    The project, which will be built in a planned tourist area about 40 kilometers north of Hanoi, will add a high-quality tourism product to Soc Son District in particular and the capital in general, the city stated.

    According to Hanoi authorities’ data, the capital has received over 26 million visitors this year, including 5.7 million foreign visitors, which are a 9 percent and 16 percent increase compared to last year respectively.

    The project to build a horse racecourse in Hanoi was first researched in 1999, with the racecourse’s proposed location in the southern districts of Hoang Mai and Thanh Tri.

    However, as Vietnam’s legal framework for sports betting and horse racing was incomplete at the time, the city’s foreign partner eventually withdrew from the project.

    The project was then revived in 2007 when the travel company Hanoi Tourist and South Korea’s Global Consultant Network asked for the city’s permission to research it, and was told by the government that it would be approved once the legal framework for sports betting is completed.

    Vietnam’s legislative body, the National Assembly, approved a bill legalizing sports betting last year and the government earlier this year promulgated a decree regulating the sports-betting business, throwing open opportunities for foreign investors to build racecourses in the country.

    In addition to the racecourse in Hanoi, foreign firms are also said to be pursuing plans to build horse racecourses in the northern provinces of Bac Ninh, Vinh Phuc and in Ho Chi Minh City.

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  • Number of Cinema Screens in Indonesia Expected to Double Over Next 3 Years

    Number of Cinema Screens in Indonesia Expected to Double Over Next 3 Years

    The head of the Creative Economy Agency, or Bekraf, said he expects the number of cinema screens in Indonesia to double over the next few years, amid growing interest in the national film industry.

    “We expect to see at least 3,000 screens – twice what we have today. This is because local films thrive in small towns, but that’s also where we face a lack of theaters,” Bekraf chairman Triawan Munaf said on the sidelines of the World Conference on Creative Economy in Nusa Dua, Bali, last week.

    According to the agency’s 2019 Creative Economy Outlook, there are currently nearly 1,700 screens across the country. Triawan expressed hope that this could be nearly doubled over the next three years.

    The report further states that film is currently the fastest-growing subsector of Indonesia’s creative economy.

    However, as imported films still drive demand among moviegoers, the industry must figure out how to get local films to compete with those from abroad in terms of screening and scheduling.

    Triawan said the national film industry is growing rapidly, as illustrated by the fact that 40 percent of films screened in the country are local.

    This year, teen drama “Dilan 1990” attracted more than 6.3 million viewers nationwide, making it the second best-selling Indonesian film of all time after the 2016 reboot of the popular 1980s comedy franchise, “Warkop DKI Reborn: Jangkrik Boss! Part 1,” which boasted more than 6.8 million viewers.

    The number of moviegoers in the country has meanwhile also increased to more than 42 million by 2017 from around 16 million in 2015.

    More screens in other parts of the country can therefore facilitate this growth, as 183 of Indonesia’s 488 theater complexes are located on Java Island, Bekraf said.

    Cineplex 21, CGV Cinemas and Cinemaxx currently dominate the movie theater industry in Indonesia with 1,003, 275 and 203 screens, respectively.

    In her speech at last week’s conference in Bali, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati also highlighted the importance of more vocational training to support the creative economy, of which the film industry is part.

    Despite the large number of moviegoers, many of them are less enthusiastic about local films because there are limited choices in terms of storyline and variety, which shows that there is a need for more quality screenwriters.

    “Indonesia has huge potential when it comes to writers and screenwriters, and this is an area we must explore further,” the minister said.

    Sri Mulyani also said that she was keen to learn more about the creative economy and how she could assist in its development.

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