Pinkfong to work with Saudi Arabian government for expansion of content business

By Kim Joo-heon Posted : March 17, 2023, 11:04 Updated : November 29, 2023, 11:09

[Courtesy of Pinkfong]

SEOUL -- The Pinkfong Company, famous for its children's YouTube mega-hit song "Baby Shark, has partnered with a Saudi Arabian ministry in charge of issuing licenses to foreign investors, to expand its business in the Middle Eastern country. Saudi Arabia accounts for the largest portion in terms of cumulative viewing time on Pinkfng's YouTube channel in the Middle East and North Africa region.  
 
Pinkfong has gained global popularity for its Baby Shark content. Baby Shark portrays a story about a family of great white sharks with colorful visuals and a catchy melody. The "Baby Shark Dance" video uploaded in 2016 garnered more than 12 billion views on YouTube. As of November 2022, the Baby Shark song was streamed more than 200 million times on the UK Singles Chart, beating Despacito, a popular song released by Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi.
 
Pinkfong said in a statement that the company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia's investment ministry. The creator of Baby Shark will provide various know-how to the ministry and cooperate to nurture the entertainment sector. The ministry will support the South Korean company to popularize its content in the Middle Eastern nation.
 
"We will showcase a content lineup loved by people of all ages, such as Pinkfong, Baby Shark, and Bebefinn, to the local market, and contribute to the expansion of the Saudi Arabian entertainment market," an unnamed Pinkfong official said in a statement on March 16.
 
Through a state project called "Saudi Vision 2030," Saudi Arabia is striving to diversify its economy and nurture its public service sectors including health, education, and entertainment. In September 2022, Saudi princess Haifa bint Mohammed Al-Saud visited the office of South Korea's entertainment powerhouse SM Entertainment to discuss methods to cooperate in the field of culture such as hosting concerts. She serves as the vice president of Saudi Arabia's tourism ministry.
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