Kolosej zabavni centri ltd.
In the last decade the cinema exhibition industry in Slovenia has gone through a
complete metamorphosis and Kolosej has played a key role with an active approach
to their development. Since 2001, when the first Kolosej opened, several other
multiplexes opened in Slovenia, covering most regions in the country. Businesses that
have traditionally dealt with cinema exhibition and the activities directly connected to
it, like bars and restaurants, have now widened the range of their services and have
become true entertainment centers.
Nonetheless, cinema exhibition is still one of the basic activities of Kolosej, since the
sale of tickets represents a substantial part of its income. In 2001 Kolosej had a 55%
market share (the number of visitors to the cinemas) and in the years 2005 and 2006
this share has leveled off at approximately 72%.
Achievements
Kolosej was the first to open a multiplex in the country and so set a standard in the
area of cinema exhibition - even becoming a generic name for going to the movies in
Slovenia. With the high standards of quality, constant improvements and the constant
introduction of new services, going to the movies has become an exceptional
experience.
Visiting a movie theater is now much more than just watching a movie, it is an
adventure that begins long before the lights go down and ends long after they come
up again. Seeing a movie is just part of the experience: the additional activities
represent a well of fun and relaxation of its own.
By opening a center in Maribor, Kolosej has expanded its attractions to include
bowling and billiards. This new direction was strengthened by the expansion of the
Ljubljana Kolosej multiplex to the Arena center where a prestigious
tournament was held in November 2005: the 41st QubicaAMF bowling world cup.
Keeping visitors up-to-date is a top priority. Kolosej's user-friendly webpage
www.kolosej.si is constantly updated and is distinguished by excellent design and
information structure. The webpage was twice nominated in the selection of the best
Slovene internet sites by the Chamber of Commerce and in 2004 the site was
awarded a silver "netko" award.
History
Kolosej is heir to a long history of cinema in Ljubljana. It was founded as an affiliate of
the Ljubljanski kinematografi (Ljubljana Cinematographic Company) - a company
that dates back to 1947. The company had three theaters: Matica on Kongresni trg,
Sloga in Kolodvorska Street and Tivoli. In 1953 a number of new theaters were
included in their network: Union, Vič, Šiška, Mojca, Triglav, Mini Union, Kompas...
From 1997, when the company became a joint-stock company and got a new owner
until the opening of Kolosej in Ljubljana in 2001, the Ljubljanski kinematografi
managed 11 movie theaters in Ljubljana and its surroundings. From 2001 onwards the
denationalization process caused the closing of several theaters in town so that today
only two are still in operation: Komuna and Kinoklub Vič.
The greatest turning point for the company was the opening of the first multiplex in
Slovenia. Kolosej, a multiplex with 12 screens and 3312 seats, opened on May 17,
2001 in the BTC in Ljubljana. It has radically changed the way movies are exhibited
and, as a consequence, the habits of moviegoers. After the opening of Kolosej, the
Ljubljanski kinematografi took over one of the two basic tasks of the company -
distribution of films and Kolosej became primarily an exhibition company.
The network of multiplexes started to expand in February 2003 with a smaller center
in Koper (three theaters, 356 seats) and less than one year later a center in Celje (five
theaters, 1245 seats). In June 2004 a Kolosej opened by the Drava River (ten
theaters, 2068 seats). The center in Kranj was acquired in 2006 and renovated in
2008.
Product
Ever since its beginning, Kolosej has been developing a wide range of services that
allow visitors to spend quality time in the multiplex: watching films, spending time with
friends, bowling or playing billiards as well as various arcade games, shopping,
relaxation and even trying his luck at the Casino Rio.
All the services offered in Kolosej are of the highest standard. Technological
improvements are constantly implemented and the newest trends are introduced, like
the opening of the first digital 3D theaters with special effects in Ljubljana and Maribor.
Kolosej offers an elegant way of buying movie tickets through the internet, mobile
phones and at ticket machines. The Joker loyalty program is a product of the
development of Kolosej. In 2002, Kolosej became one of the first companies in the
world to introduce a system that enables mobile phone users to buy tickets via an
automated voice recognition system.
Recent Developments
Kolosej has been dedicated to constant development from the beginning: every
service can be improved and every service can be expanded with new products.
Development also means constant widening of the Kolosej network: in 2005 a new
entertainment center was opened opposite Kolosej in Ljubljana, named Arena, the first of its kind in Slovenia.
The center is designed as an open space where the visitor can move freely and
choose from a variety of activities. Beside restaurants it offers bowling, billiards, video
arcades, laser games, a sun studio and XPAND - the digital 3D movie theater with
special effects. In 2007 the state-of-the-art casino, Casino Rio, opened.
In XPAND, which is also part of the Maribor Kolosej, the 3D version of the Disney's
blockbuster Meet the Robinsons in digital format was released in March 2007 and
thus Slovenia became one of the elite company of European countries that Disney
allowed to show the film in its 3D version.
2007 also saw the start of Kolosej's international expansion with the opening of an
entertainment center in Belgrade. Kolosej is planning to open even larger
entertainment centers in Bucharest.
