I am Hannah, a Leisure & Entertainment and Location Based Entertainment strategy consultant specialising in the MENA/Middle East region and wider global sphere subject to projects. Leisure & Entertainment and my niche are a growing remit, as this increasingly encompasses experiential F&B, experiential retail, destination makers, hospitability, competitive socialising as well as traditional L&E.

With over 25 years of real estate experience and an MBA from Hult Business School, I work at the intersection of commercial asset strategy, market intelligence and IP-led entertainment concepts. I have been based in the Middle East for more than 19 years, advising developers, landlords, operators and global brands on how to shape leisure and entertainment assets that are both commercially viable and locally relevant.

My background spans retail, F&B, sports, culture, cinema and immersive entertainment across all property sectors including retail, mixed-use, commercial and residential developments. Having worked both client-side and consultancy-side with organisations such as Al-Futtaim Group, JLL and CBRE, I understand how real estate economics, placemaking and experiential concepts must align.

I am often described as the bridge between global brands and Middle East markets. I combine market intelligence, feasibility and commercial structuring with an understanding of consumer behaviour and localisation to ensure projects are correctly sized, well positioned and fit for market from day one.

HOW CAN I HELP

Leisure and entertainment assets today must work harder than ever. They drive footfall, influence dwell time, support retail and F&B performance and shape destination identity.

I support projects across their full life cycle, from early-stage feasibility and demand determination through to concept strategy, IP licensing, partnership structuring and roll-out advisory.

My work typically includes:

• Market assessment and competitive benchmarking

• Demand analysis, feasibility studies and economic impact modelling

• Programming and leasing strategy, including integration with retail and F&B

• Identification and securing of suitable IPs and entertainment concepts

• Partnership deal structure advisory

• Business matchmaking between global brands and regional partners

Whether advising on a new mixed-use development, a location based entertainment concept, an IP-led attraction or a cinema or experiential retail project, my role is to ensure that strategy is grounded in real demand and commercial reality.

I focus on ensuring projects are properly conceptualised, appropriately scaled and positioned for long-term repeat visitation and profitability.

CLIENTS & SERVICES

Developers & Landlords
For developers and asset owners, I provide commercial asset strategy consultancy for leisure and entertainment within mixed-use and retail environments.

This includes market intelligence, feasibility studies, programming strategy and the integration of location based entertainment, retail and F&B to strengthen overall destination performance. I work closely with stakeholders to ensure that leisure components support placemaking, rental resilience and long-term asset value.

Clients have included UAE-based entities such as Majid Al Futtaim and Miral, as well as Saudi-based developments including NEOM.

Brands & Concepts
For global IP owners, entertainment brands and concept partners, I lead Middle East market entry and expansion strategy.

I work directly with brands including Moonbug (CoComelon, Blippi), Hasbro (Nerf, Play-Doh) and Netflix, as well as non-IP location based entertainment such as Play Playground, Dave & Busters and SuperParks and other complementary concepts and products across MENA.

My role covers market intelligence, ideation and conceptual advisory, identification of suitable regional partners, partnership introduction, deal structure guidance and roll-out advisory. I ensure that concepts and products are properly localised, commercially structured and aligned with regional consumer behaviour.

Market Intelligence
At the core of all engagements is robust market intelligence.

Working with ProForma, I conduct benchmarking, data collection, demand modelling and feasibility analysis to test assumptions and reduce risk. This ensures that capital is deployed with clarity and that concepts reflect actual market dynamics rather than projected optimism.

From catchment analysis and tourism flows to pricing sensitivity and competitive supply mapping, I provide the data and strategic interpretation required to inform confident decision-making.

CONTACT ME

If you are developing, investing in or launching a leisure, entertainment, retail or F&B project in the Middle East or MENA region, I would be pleased to discuss how I can support your strategy.

Whether at early feasibility stage, partnership structuring phase or repositioning an existing asset, I provide independent, commercially grounded advisory tailored to your project.

You can contact me directly to arrange an initial conversation at hannah@hlmacdonald.com , feel free to send an email below or you can connect with me via LinkedIn here