Gensler, the global architecture, design, and planning firm, has announced that former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Weis, is joining the firm as Global Immersive Experience Design Leader. A visionary within the entertainment industry, Weis brings to Gensler more than 30 years of leadership, creating, designing and developing some of Disney’s most iconic projects around the globe.
As countries emerge from the global pandemic, demand is greater than ever for engaging, immersive experiences and more meaningful human connections. Weis’ experience in pioneering large-scale groundbreaking and story-driven experiences further expands Gensler’s ability to drive design innovation, offering transformative value to the firm’s more than 4,000 global clients as they look for opportunities to bring people together in new and exciting ways.
For Gensler Middle East, Weis’s appointment affords an opportunity to augment its existing offering to its culture and entertainment clients with a particular focus on KSA and the UAE. KSA has rapidly secured its position as a hub for cultural events, art exhibitions and movie theatres, while historically the UAE has been the largest investor in the entertainment and leisure space.
“We are thrilled that Bob is joining our global innovation design team. A creative design force, his leadership and expertise in entertainment design will enhance the ways people interact with and thrive in the spaces and experiences we create around the world,” said Gensler Co-CEO Andy Cohen. “Now more than ever, design has the power to shape how we experience life. Bob is joining us just as we emerge from the pandemic as people are craving compelling, visceral experiences in the places where they live, work, and play.”
Weis brings deep expertise in cutting-edge experiences and immersive entertainment to Gensler’s world-class global clients
“At Disney, we often collaborated with Gensler, and I was able to see first-hand its culture of design innovation that transforms the quality of life in our world,” said Bob Weis. “This is what visionary companies are seeking, and what we all are yearning for as we interact with the world around us. Gensler’s commitment to leading the future of design is perfectly aligned with my passion for developing unique, immersive experiences with a diversity of creative voices.”
Tim Martin, Managing Director of Gensler Middle East, added: “Through Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has expressed its ambition to become one of the best places to visit and live in the world. Significant investments in entertainment and culture are helping to make that aspiration a reality. With Bob on board, we are going to add another dimension of innovation to our design services, which will help us deepen our relationships with our existing clients and develop our offering to prospects.”
KSA’s Vision 2030 envisages and supports the expansion of the entertainment market with SR30 billion ($8 billion). From the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, boxing matches, and concerts, to
world-class tourist destinations, visitors and residents have been witnessing the emergence of a new cultural centre. According to Renub Research, the Saudi Arabia Entertainment & Amusement market will reach $1.17 billion by the end of the year 2030.
During his time at Disney, Weis led more than 200 major projects around the world with a capital value of more than $30 billion. From the U.S. to Shanghai, Tokyo to Paris, Weis’ design and innovation imprint has been indelibly left on theme parks, attractions and rides, resorts, and cruise ships. He has also consulted with major clients including Smithsonian, National Geographic, NASA, and the United States Navy, among others. Bob has received numerous industry accolades and awards and remains closely connected to his Disney roots.
In his new role, Weis will collaborate with Gensler’s global leadership platform to envision and bring to life unique experiences for clients across a variety of industries where the firm is immersed – from entertainment, lifestyle, hospitality, retail, sports, mixed-use and cultural institutions to wellness and workplace.