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Ayoubi is also the CEO of Rubicon, a Jordanian animation firm that made waves last summer with its announcement that it had signed a strategic partnership with MGM studios, the first part of which will be the development of a joint venture, 'Pink Panther & Pals'. Rubicon will co-finance and co-produce the 26-episode series, which will be based on the Pink Panther characters as kids.
Rubicon will be the exclusive MGM licensing and merchandising agent in the Greater Middle East and North Africa regions. It will therefore oversee the creation and development of products and services for other MGM entertainment properties in these areas.
Rubicon is also exploring Location Based Entertainment (LBE) opportunities by leveraging the MGM brand and certain MGM concepts along with Rubicon's broad geographic and cultural knowledge and relationships. This will facilitate for MGM LBE business ventures such as theme parks and multi-use real estate. MGM will seek to utilize Rubicon's localized content to develop new proprietary concepts for L&M and LBE exploitation for the Middle East and North Africa.
Another high-profile project currently being developed by Rubicon is Ben & Izzy, a 3D comedy adventure following a genie and two boys - one from the USA and the other from Jordan - who travel through time and space into the marvels of the Middle East. The 13 x 30 minute state-of-the-art CGI animation series for ages 8-11, calls for a non-judgmental attitude and appreciation of cultures and personal heritage. The stories, plots and themes are universal and designed to cross all cultures and languages, making Ben & Izzy role models for future generations, Ayoubi said.
Queen Noor launches $100m fund
In the most recent development involving the Jordan film industry, Queen Noor unveiled a $100m fund to back major film productions that help combat stereotypes.
The fund will 'support the production and distribution of films that entertain as well as enlighten - films that will enhance the connections that already exist between different societies, but are seldom noted on screen and in popular culture,' she said.
The fund has an initial investment of $10m, and has established partnerships with Hollywood production and distribution companies, including Participant Productions, which was behind the film 'Syriana' starring George Clooney.
See also:
Hollywood comes to the Middle East
Jeff Florian, Senior Reporter
