Ahlan Simsim or “Welcome Sesame,” is the new Arabic version of Sesame Street which premiered in the Middle East and North Africa in February 2020. The show is part of a broader humanitarian initiative between the Sesame Workshop and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which delivers early learning opportunities to children and families affected by crisis and displacement in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq.
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The show is designed to promote the social and emotional management skills needed to succeed in school and in life. Ahlan Simsim features fun adventures with global Sesame Workshop Muppets like Elmo, Cookie Monster (Kaki), and Grover (Gargur) along with new local friends Basma, Jad, and Ma’zooza the baby goat. The show is currently in its third season and airs on MBC3 and YouTube along with several other local channels in the region.
Netizency will be responsible for the brand’s social content creation and YouTube channel management.
Dina Kfouri, senior marketing consultant on Ahlan Simsim at Sesame Workshop said, “Netizency will be an integral partner in building the Ahlan Simsim brand and digital footprint in the MENA region. The agency’s strategic, analytical and creative approach along with the team’s passion and dedication made Netizency the right partner for us. We are so excited about this journey and looking forward to creating fun and engaging social content along with our furry friends.”
Tamara Habib, business director at Netizency said: “In a year where the world seems to have shut down, we’re glad that we’re able to build new relationships. And to do so with Ahlan Simsim is an honour – the fact that the show is part of a larger project to help support children affected by crisis and conflict makes this win all the more rewarding for us. Our team has already hit the ground running and we’re looking forward to unleashing our creativity with the Sesame Workshop team.”
