IMI, the privately owned global media group headquartered in Abu Dhabi, has expanded its international investment portfolio with a stake in MARI, a new global events and experiences company founded by billionaire businessman Ari Emanuel.
MARI brings together world-class assets across sport, art and lifestyle, including the Madrid Open and Miami Open tennis tournaments, Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, and the internationally renowned contemporary art organisation Frieze.
As such, the investment builds on IMI’s strategy to broaden its portfolio beyond media and entertainment, strengthening its position as a global player connecting audiences through content, culture and experience.
MARI’s regional portfolio includes prominent events such as the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open and the recently announced Frieze Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a leading global destination for culture, sport, and creativity.
Through MARI, IMI joins a distinguished group of global investors, including Apollo, RedBird Capital Partners, Qatar Investment Authority, and HSG, who are backing the creation of a world-class platform that brings together some of the most recognisable names in international sport and culture.
IMI’s direct investment in MARI expands its presence in the live experience sector, alongside its ongoing global growth through Redbird IMI, its joint venture with RedBird Capital Partners.
Redbird IMI’s portfolio includes leading global production and entertainment companies such as All3Media, Media Res, EverWonder and Front Office Sports.
Earlier this year, IMI relocated its headquarters to twofour54’s Yas Creative Hub, occupying an entire building within the creative campus spanning more than 16,500 square metres.
With more than 600 media professionals relocating, the new headquarters includes the IMI Welcome Centre, which houses the IMI News Stand, offering a collection of 1,000 curated books, and the IMI News Lens, an immersive AI-powered news experience.
IMI’s portfolio includes prominent brands such as Arabic news network Sky News Arabia; English-language news outlet The National; multilingual digital news platform Al-Ain News; and dedicated Arabic-language business news platform CNN Business Arabic.
