Bidaya Media names ACL its master licensing rep for Iftah Ya Simsim

BIDAYA Media has named Arabian Licensing Company (ALC) as its master licensing representative for Iftah Ya Simsim for the UAE, GCC and Middle East. ALC will be responsible for developing a full-scale licensing program featuring a wide range of products and retail promotions.  ALC has also formed a Saudi-Emirati alliance with Headline Communications to handle the licensing for Saudi Arabia. “We are proud to represent Iftah Ya Simsim, which is part of the global Sesame Street family that provides engaging educational content to enrich the lives of children around the world,” said Fayez Weiss Al-Sabbagh, Chairman of ALC. He also noted that the Alliance will be taking part in Dubai International Content & Licensing Fair that will be held this month. For his part, Feras Adel Al Maddah, CEO of Headline Communication, said: “Acquiring this license represents a significant shift. While there is certainly a growing appetite for educational content, just as importantly, Iftah Ya Simsim allows us to help promote values and culture of the region.” Targeting children ages 4-6, Iftah Ya Simsim debuted in September on national TV channels, potentially reaching 45 million preschoolers, following a 25-year break. The series is locally produced—with the content that was developed according to the curriculum prepared by the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States.