Dedicated to offering the best cinematic experience in town, Novo Cinemas erupted quickly as one of the most popular cinema chains in the Middle East. The company, which had previously operated under the name Grand Cinemas, came up with the brand name Novo a few years ago in 2014, thereby obtaining a vibrant and modern brand image that marked it apart from all other cinema chains in Qatar, the UAE, and Oman. Novo Cinemas boasts high-tech theaters and luxurious service; it’s not just coming in to watch a movie but it is an entertainment destination.

Starting in Doha, Novo Cinemas have embodied the innovation of movie going with the ability to stay cutting edge in changing audiences’ demands. Novo’s cinemas express the latest developments in cinema technology-from the most immersive IMAX experiences to VIP seating and gourmet concessions- and have thus brought Hollywood glamour and cinematic updates into the region, thereby redefining entertainment standards.

Novo Cinemas, from the ELAN Group, believe they can do more than just a multiplex because each patron leaves feeling a bit part of Novo or at least remembering their night. Everything-the ambiance of their cinemas to the delivery of their service-is all thoughtfully crafted to bring about increased engagement and satisfaction. ELAN’s efforts bring together innovation, entertainment, and hospitality.

This was a transitional year for the company in 2014 when it comes to rebranding, while Grand Cinemas was already a common name, though the leading cinema house in the region changed that and espoused the movie viewing philosophy ushered under the umbrella of Novo Cinemas into the Gulf region. Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, CEO of Novo Cinemas, has revolutionized Novo Cinemas. She led the company to new heights and was described as ‘Female CEO of the Year’ in regional film industry. Under her sure leadership, the company adopted a dynamic and consumer-sensitive model for its operations.

Grand Cinemas was already well-known in the region due to its launch in 2000 in Dubai. This chain expanded to introduce IMAX to the Middle East as the first cinema for Ibn Battuta Mall, showcasing the brand’s ambition in delivering world-class film experiences that laid the bedrock for its rebranding success under the name Novo. This continued to enable Grand Cinemas to continue running independently in Lebanon by the founder of Gulf Film LLC, Selim Ramia. Novo cinemas, on its own house brand, also continued to grow.

Novo cinemas is now trend leader in the entertainment industries where it has audiences of diversity with premium movies. Novo cinemas thus attracts local as well as international consumers due to its robust slate blockbuster movies, regional titles as well as alternative content. It has full sensory experiences for a movie lover, from a high-end screening room up to recliner seats. You can watch your movie at your preference via private suites.

Novo Cinemas will be a place of memories, not just another location to watch a movie. For example, VIP suites are offered with all luxuries that make viewing exclusive and personal because of a waiter service at your beck and call. They pay attention to details like seating, sound, and picture to ensure that audiences are transported into the world they are watching.

Novo Cinemas would shape the region’s future of cinema in its own way as they merge tradition with modernity while bringing something new to the entertainment world. Be a blockbuster fan or an independent movie goer or simply somebody searching for a good quality night out, Novo Cinema has the tech and touch to it; cinematic evolution of film viewing is rewriting the movie going culture across the Middle East.

This has been the mantra of Novo Cinemas in focusing on quality service, technological innovations, and engaging the audience, making it a forerunner in the entertainment landscape of the Gulf. From an ambitious beginning to the day it stands as a successful reality, Novo Cinemas marks a true evolution in cinema that gives a unique movie-watching experience, continuing to awe and inspire audiences across the Middle East.

Beautifully captivating in luxury style and yet so real-world charming, Noor has been breaking all barriers in social media. Renowned for her travel diaries, high-fashion collaborations, and unfiltered chats on the Stars Podcast, Noor is not just a social influencer but a strong force behind UAE’s fashion and beauty scenario. Noor now boasts over 15 million followers and thousands of interactions daily, with a perfect capture of modern luxury – fresh, relatable perspective that continues to resonate well with fans worldwide.

The story of Noor, from emerging influencer to becoming one of the most followed personalities in the UAE, is one of passion, style, and strategic growth. Known for her polished aesthetic and impeccable taste, Noor’s social media feed captures a glimpse of her life, from traveling through Switzerland, France, the UK, and Italy. Content is not just some postcard pictures of beautiful destinations; it is a rich tapestry of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle with which she shares her affinity towards luxury brands and finer things of life.

Very vital in the appeal of Noor is the deep bond that Noor shares with luxury fashion and beauty brands. Her collaborations with La Roche-Posay, Patek Philippe, Benefit Cosmetics, and Kiehl’s lend to an aspirational yet authentic vibe to the profile as she pulls in followers having the same premium product preference. Noor’s posts featuring all of these brands look effortlessly stylish: combining anecdotes about herself with the details of what she is working with – and this style is absolutely relatable, yet simultaneously refined. High-end skin care or a piece of glamorous jewelry, glamour is assured by Noor and resonates well with her hard-core audience.

Not to forget, Noor created for herself a niche online world with her Stars Podcast as well. She narrates that it is, on one hand, probably “one of the raw, real, and most relatable podcasts” of that time. She admitted talking to celebrities, influential or social media personalities that share their honest thoughts for themselves to understand the real happenings going on around them, hence having open conversations during each interview. In honesty, Noor’s transparent nature and her interaction in open discussions with her guest has helped build a well-represented community for a show in which listeners can feel real stories and uncut conversations about things that interest them.

Hard work has done nothing but attract influence and in 2024 has officially been recognized by Forbes under 30. This achievement solidifies her position as a prominent figure in the digital space, emphasizing her role as not only a trendsetter but also a trailblazer for young influencers in the region. Her participation in high-profile events, such as Paris Fashion Week in 2023 and Milan Fashion Week in 2024, further emphasizes her reach and the respect she has garnered within the fashion industry.

The reason for Noor’s social media explosion is not just because of her fashion-forward posts and brand partnerships but also because of strong engagement with followers. At 15 million followers and above, the average views per post reach a staggering 5 million, while her engagement rate at 4.5% puts her among the top influencer names on Instagram. The large engagement she receives from each post is based on hundreds of thousands of likes and comments and is a result of the connection her followers are able to make with content.

While there might be numbers, the point is that Noor looks authentic. Most influencers promote an idealized lifestyle of luxury, but Noor balances it with being able to relate to the people and making them feel they are walking with her. Most of the posts she makes come attached with personal stories or insights for her audience to be part of her journey. Whether a new destination, an exclusive event, or simply one of her latest fashion preferences, Noor’s always radiates genuine enthusiasm or passion in her content.

NY Koen Group is rapidly becoming a global luxury powerhouse, embodying innovation and versatility in every business trend. It was founded in 2006 by business entrepreneur Naum Koen, who has quickly grown the company from small beginnings in diamond industries into a multinational holding company with several sectors, such as private aviation, digital technologies, tourism, construction, and security. Headquartered in Dubai but with operating facilities in Ukraine, NY Koen Group specializes in excellence and distinctive services across its diversified portfolio. Such wide reach has therefore enabled the company to affect markets all over the world, with a central vision based on innovation and quality.

Today, NY Koen Group operates from the unique setting of the Queen Elizabeth 2 in Dubai, an iconic venue mirroring the group’s prestige and international image. From diamonds to digital platforms, NY Koen Group has continually built a reputation of dynamic business initiatives and partnerships which reflect its commitment to quality and progress. It goes way back to the first initiatives of Naum Koen with diamond cutting and supply that served as the precursor for NY Koen Group. In his effort to turn diamond businesses into diversified conglomerates, Koen utilizes all that he knew from being a businessman in the luxury goods sector: His expertise with the precious industry is an integral factor of the business as this relates to diamonds.

One of the most significant events in the history of NY Koen Group is that its subsidiary, Amber Palm, showcased the world’s first amber stone mosque inside the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai in 2017. This unique and landmark project demonstrated the company’s ability to blend cultural heritage with the finest luxury, further cementing its position as a forerunner in innovative luxury experiences. Amber Mosque is one of the accuracy in amber crafting and beauty, testifying to the commitment of the NY Koen Group for cultural and artistic expression of its projects.

NY Koen Group also exerts a strong influence in digital technology through GEMGOW, an online trading system for precious stones. HBK Holding, the flagship entity of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, purchased 25 percent share in GEMGOW in 2020 and fostered massive investment interest into it. This strategic play also built much strength in GEMGOW’s market influence in that it cemented the stake within the digital and luxury space for NY Koen Group. GEMGOW provides an online marketplace through which buyers and sellers are connected. This means a global network for trading in gemstones is established, making the access to precious stone trading much easier.

Other than the luxury and technology ventures, NY Koen Group has also entered private aviation through Aero Private Jet. NY Koen Group intends to offer the most elite travel experience to all customers around the globe while at the same time being one of the best options in the market for private aviation. The company has lately expressed interest in acquiring Israir Airlines in 2020, which will further expand its portfolio of aviation services. This interest underlies the commitment of this group to provide world-class private air travel solutions for elite customers in the Middle East and beyond.

The group partnered with Kosher Luxury Travel (KLT) in 2020; however, this move did take into consideration the ever-changing dynamics of travel once relations between Israel and the UAE became normalized. Now, the Kosher Centre, which was established at Queen Elizabeth 2, houses kosher services for the many Israelis who visit the country; one is to appreciate how far NY Koen Group will go to accommodate different kinds of cultural and religious expressions found in the luxury space.

NY Koen Group, through its portfolio of ventures, demonstrates an exquisite ability to diversify itself while maintaining excellence in so many different industries. Its ventures in precious stones and high-end aviation or perhaps digital marketplaces all exploit innovation and deep understanding in luxury to create value and deliver sustainable services. And as it continues to evolve, there is only growth in power as an influence on global markets, spurred by a vision and a steadfast commitment at the highest quality to innovation and service.