Broken Frontier

Teshkeel Media Group, KSC, and Archie Comic Publications, Inc., today announced a new publishing partnership to bring Arabic-language Archie comics, digests and magazines to the Middle East region. The announcement was made by Naif Al-Mutawa, CEO of Teshkeel, and Michael Silberkleit, Chairman of Archie Comic Publications, Inc.

According to the terms of its multi-year partnership with Archie Comics, Teshkeel’s product offering will feature such popular characters as Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica and Little Archie. These publications will be distributed throughout the region, from the Arabian Gulf to North Africa. Archie comics will also be available in special French/Arabic and English/Arabic editions for the North Africa and GCC regions, respectfully. In addition, Teshkeel plans to release in its territory, additional titles to tie in with Archie’s seasonal publishing programs in the US market.

“Archie characters were some of my favorites growing up,“ said Naif Al Mutawa. “They provide positive, wholesome role models which are well suited for children in any region. We’re all very excited about working with Archie comics to bring them to an Arabic speaking audience.” Al-Mutawa also stated that Teshkeel will begin Arabic publication of several of Archie’s more well-known and successful titles by mid-2006. 

Silberkleit added, “Archie and his pals from Riverdale have developed into worldwide cultural icons. Teshkeel’s vision for bringing quality children's entertainment to the region made them ideal partners to bring our characters and properties to this part of the world.”

For 65 years, Archie and his friends have been entertaining children around the globe. The comics appeal to an audience of both young boys and girls making them one of the few titles addressing the reading needs of female adolescents. They are also popular among parents and grandparents because of the content, which is viewed as fun and safe for kids, as well as the timeless appeal of the characters, which have traveled through many generations. "We like to say that Archie Comics are most kids’ first real reading experience," adds Silberkleit.

The Archie partnership joins the ever expanding Teshkeel Media Group, whose properties include other leading global media partnerships as well as a proprietary concept, The 99, which has garnered international acclaim.