Media, entertainment and technology are growth areas in the Middle East, and our sector focus aligns closely with the types of deals, investments and commercial arrangements being undertaken. We advise clients across the Middle East on transactions and matters connected to these sectors. We work across the Gulf states, Israel, and the wider region, bringing deep sector expertise to cross-border matters throughout the Middle East.
We combine vast experience in advising on partnerships in the Middle East, with the UK’s leading media and entertainment practice. We have advised on a range of novel, complex and high-value deals – clients frequently use Wiggin to help structure and advise on first-of-their-kind transactions which they have not encountered before.
We have deep experience structuring entertainment partnerships for the region’s regulatory realities and stakeholder expectations. That includes embedding cultural alignment directly into deal structures – for example, establishing governance frameworks such as cultural committees to ensure media produced under a joint venture meets the requirements for transmission in Saudi Arabia.
Where matters require advice on local law, we work with handpicked regional counsel to ensure the right expertise for each jurisdiction.
What we do
We advise on acquisitions and investments, joint ventures, commercial and sponsorship arrangements, rights deals, intellectual property strategy and brand protection. We also have experience in cross‑border disputes and international arbitration involving parties based in the region.
For Middle Eastern clients and investors entering the UK market, we advise on deal structuring, regulatory requirements and ongoing commercial and operational matters.
Selected experience
Our experience includes advising on cross‑border transactions and commercial arrangements involving media, sport, technology and branded consumer businesses.
- Advising on the creation of a $1 billion, Saudi-backed Hollywood production company launched in 2025 to adapt video game, anime, and fandom intellectual property into films, TV, and live events.
- Advising a leader in content production and distribution on a strategic alliance with an Israeli-based investment fund involving the launch of a fund to finance a portfolio of premium scripted TV and film projects.
- Advising a newly established games development joint venture backed by a leading media group and a major regional development initiative, focused on creating the first AAA (high-budget) game development studio in the Middle East.
- Acting as lead counsel on a high-budget feature film project being produced out of KSA.
- Advising an Israeli mobile and social games company on a number of regulatory matters across the UK and EU.
- Advising a leading media group in the Middle East on a partnership for the creation of a new cultural media platform in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Co-counselled with a leading Israeli firm in connection with the sale of a gaming content provider and third-party game aggregator.
Awards
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Media & Entertainment, Defamation/Reputation Management and Gaming -
Gaming & Betting; Film & TV; Media Finance; Video Games, and Theatre, Publishing & other media -
Client satisfaction: sector knowledge -
Law Firm of the Year – Gaming -
Entertainment & Sport; Technology, Media & Telecoms