Saudi Fund Buys Stake in Hollywood Talent Agency

[Marina Schwarz + 1,576]

"Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is taking a $400 million stake in Endeavor, one of Hollywood’s biggest talent and event managers, as part of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman’s grand plan to diversify the kingdom’s oil-based economy, according to people with knowledge of the deal."

Talk about diversification.

[Rodent + 1,424]

53 minutes ago, Marina Schwarz said:

"Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is taking a $400 million stake in Endeavor, one of Hollywood’s biggest talent and event managers, as part of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman’s grand plan to diversify the kingdom’s oil-based economy, according to people with knowledge of the deal."

Talk about diversification.

Wow. That is really diversified. They weren't kiddin'!  This is actually very very interesting. Is this a sign that a major shift is happening in The Kingdom, politically/religiously speaking? I would imagine  that Wahabi hardliners would be dead set against this. Is this another one of MBS' steps toward pushing to the side those hardliners?

[Rodent + 1,424]

Any of you geopolitical people have some insight into this? @damirUSBiH?

[damirUSBiH + 327]

It's obviously the crown prince is trying to rebrand Saudi Arabia. Lots of changes. And, I have no problem with that.  But, I would like to see that women (girls) in Saudi Arabia can get a chance to play in a movie without hijab, to sing in Big Talent, or any show, go to soccer games, etc. And, hopefully they stop bombing Yemen...
 

[Petar + 76]

A few days ago they started with movies ....Saudi Arabia began screening feature-length animated children’s films this weekend in a makeshift theater, after a 35-year-old ban on cinemas was lifted in the conservative Islamic kingdom. The next is Hollywood, as topic said.

[Rodent + 1,424]

28 minutes ago, Petar said:

A few days ago they started with movies ....Saudi Arabia began screening feature-length animated children’s films this weekend in a makeshift theater, after a 35-year-old ban on cinemas was lifted in the conservative Islamic kingdom. The next is Hollywood, as topic said.

The first movie was The Emoji Movie. Really? You pick one movie and that's what you pick?? 3.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I suspect that rating is generous.

[Vlad Kovalenko + 115]

So now diversifying the economy means go along with Hollywood. Can't decide who treats women better- Hollywood or Saudis.

[Harsh vardhan singh + 36]

Diversifying the economy is always good decision. And this decision is going in favour of Kingdom's economy...but somewhere they don't want situation like venezuela.

[damirUSBiH + 327]

Latest from MBS: Saudi women should have choice whether to wear abaya robe. Really, looks like the kingdom has seen an expansion in women’s rights under MBS crown prince.

[franco + 96]

2 hours ago, Harsh vardhan singh said:

Diversifying the economy is always good decision. And this decision is going in favour of Kingdom's economy...but somewhere they don't want situation like venezuela.

Amazing how progressive the desire for a diversified economy can make people.

[Kate Turlington + 44]

MBS is a bit of a loose cannon, but he's also quite savvy. He's winning over the hearts and minds of the youth--and women by taking on the hardliners. He's doing all of this to cement his power, and it seems to be working, but he's not quite there yet. So when talking about purges, stealing state assets and the fact that MBS may be a bit unhinged, we need to also keep in mind that he's playing a very bold cat and mouse game also with other members of the royal family. The youth feel (whether it's real or not) that they have hope with Vision 2030. They finally have some sort of larger purpose. They feel as if things are changing ... this is his power and his support.