Rubicon Group Holding to Lead the Design and Development of 184-Acre Themed Entertainment Resort in Aqaba, Jordan

Ancient Middle Eastern History and Culture to Mix with Star Trek® Estimated $1 Billion+ Project Scheduled for 2014 Opening

The Signing of the deal for 'The Red Sea Astrarium.' Pictured Left to Right: Bill Lacey, Principal, Callison; Liz Kolodner, Executive Vice President and General Manager, CBS Consumer Products; Charles Myers, Senior Vice President, Paramount Recreation; Randa S. Ayoubi, CEO, Rubicon Group Holding (Photo: Business Wire)

AMMAN, Jordan--()--Rubicon Group Holding (RGH), a diversified global entertainment organization producing innovative digital animated content and location-based attractions, will design and produce The Red Sea Astrarium (TRSA), a 184-acre themed entertainment resort located in Aqaba, Jordan, which, through a license from CBS Consumer Products, will prominently feature an amazing attraction inspired by the 2009 international hit motion picture, Star Trek. The “Star Trek” attraction is being creatively developed by Paramount Recreation.

That announcement was made today by Randa S. Ayoubi, CEO of Rubicon Group Holding, at the Jordanian-American Business Forum, under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in a special signing ceremony attended by business leaders from Jordan and the United States.

TRSA, which will look to the future to celebrate the heritage of the region’s past civilizations, will generate employment for more than 500 high-skilled workers in the local community, with RGH facilitating the training for these key jobs, as well. The themed entertainment destination will serve as a model for “green energy,” incorporating state-of-the-art renewable technologies throughout the facility, and hosting a “future” pavilion where businesses, students and attendees can learn about alternative energy sources ranging from solar and wind energy to greywater harvesting. The project, a milestone in the development of tourism in Jordan, will provide a progressive and entertaining “celebration” of the region’s culture and heritage.

From a stunning location in the coastal town of Aqaba, TRSA features classic story telling combined with immersive entertainment experiences to bring about a world-class leisure adventure. Capturing the rich history of the surrounding area, this wondrous attraction draws from Nabatean, Babylonian, British and Roman influences to provide an incomparable adventure. With an impressive array of technologically advanced attractions, five-star accommodations, captivating theatrical productions, nighttime spectacles and unique dining and shopping, The Red Sea Astrarium offers something for everyone.

To complete the chronological spectrum with a futurist perspective, RGH has joined with CBS Consumer Products and Paramount Recreation to create a stunning Star Trek-themed center that will deliver a variety of multi-sensory 23rd-century experiences, culminating with a state-of-the art space-flight adventure that takes real-time immersive entertainment experiences to bold new heights. This exciting, world-class attraction will serve as the cornerstone of the TRSA sector’s world of tomorrow. This will mark the iconic property’s first themed entertainment venue outside the United States.

The Red Sea Astrarium is sure to become a family destination, attracting visitors from the 350 million residents across the Middle East and fun, leisure as well as thrill seekers from all over the world.

Architectural firm Callison has been engaged to work with Rubicon Group Holding and its team of visionaries, including Paramount Recreation and CBS, to master plan and create a world class destination resort.

“TRSA will be a destination showcase in an extraordinary part of Jordan,” said Ms. Ayoubi. “The opportunity to lead the design on such a remarkable project and to work with such world class partners as CBS and Paramount is a dream-come-true for the entire RGH family. We are honored, elated, and proud to have our Themed Entertainment team in charge of moving this project forward.”

“At its core, Star Trek is about bringing worlds together and about a profound hope for the future,” said Liz Kalodner, EVP and General Manager of CBS Consumer Products. “We are proud to bring such a unique, interactive Star Trek property to this part of the world to be a part of Jordan’s future.”

© 2011 Paramount Pictures Corporation. TM & © 2011 CBS Studios Inc. STAR TREK and related marks and logos are trademarks of CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Rubicon Holding Group

Rubicon Group Holding (RGH) is a global entertainment organization devoted to the development and production of digital CGI & traditional 2D and 3D animated television, film, Web-based and mobile content; the realization of themed entertainment experiences; the production of digital education and professional development resources; the creation of video games and Web-based applications; and the merchandising of entertainment brands through licensed consumer products.

Led by Randa S. Ayoubi, Chief Executive Officer, Rubicon employs over 300 employees in four locations - Jordan (Amman), the U.S. (Los Angeles), the Philippines (Manila) and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai) – and has established itself as a leading creative force for the design, production and distribution of compelling entertainment and instructive media across multiple delivery platforms.

About CBS Consumer Products

CBS Consumer Products manages worldwide licensing and merchandising for a diverse slate of television brands and series from CBS, CBS Television Studios and CBS Television Distribution, as well as from the company's extensive library of titles, Showtime and CBS Films. Additionally, the group oversees online sales of programming merchandise. For more information, visit www.cbsconsumerproducts.com.

*Source: ME NewsWire

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6733334&lang=en

Contacts

Rubicon Group Holding
Barry Stagg, +1 (310) 880-3193
barry.stagg@rubiconholding.com
or
Limelight PR
James Holmes, +971 (0) 501142216
james.holmes@limelightprme.com
or
Russel Public Relations
John Russel, +1 (818) 561-5072
jrussel@russelprla.com

Release Summary

RUBICON GROUP HOLDING TO LEAD THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF 184-ACRE THEMED ENTERTAINMENT RESORT IN AQABA, JORDAN

Contacts

Rubicon Group Holding
Barry Stagg, +1 (310) 880-3193
barry.stagg@rubiconholding.com
or
Limelight PR
James Holmes, +971 (0) 501142216
james.holmes@limelightprme.com
or
Russel Public Relations
John Russel, +1 (818) 561-5072
jrussel@russelprla.com