SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) is undertaking another landmark consolidation move, this time of its lifestyle and entertainment businesses to create a portfolio of formidable brands under one roof.

SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. (SMLEI) is the lifestyle and entertainment solutions company operating under SM Prime which consists of 12 major brands related to movies, events, and leisure.

It traces its roots to West Avenue Theatres Corporation or WATC which carries the SM Cinema brand. In a span of five years, WATC added brands like Snack Time, SM Tickets, e-Plus Tap to Pay, and Mall of Asia Arena.

And now under SMLEI, it welcomed WM Cinemas, the operator of fully digitized screens in Walter Mart malls, SM Bowling Center, SM Skating Rink and SM Science Center in a synergized circle of top-notch brands.

“This year, SM once again is responding to change with the foundation of SM Lifestyle Entertainment Incorporated, an evolution grounded from West Avenue Theatres Corporation’s already impressive and accomplished credentials but with more enticing offerings under its sleeve,” SM Prime president Hans T. Sy said.

“We are a lifestyle entertainment solutions company with movies playing in 267 screens in the country. We manage venues for events from 400 seating to 20,000 seating capacities that come with their own matching entry and ticketing system,” SM LEI president Edgar C. Tejerero said.

He added that “we can serve you popcorn to fine dining and provide a venue for leisure activities on the ice or on the bowling lane. And all of these you can conveniently pay with our tap to pay system.”

“With a bigger organization and 12 brands and growing, you can expect our nationwide reach and the great advantage of our synergy and as an organization under the SM Group,” Tejerero said.

Known for its synergistic approach across its businesses, SM saw the opportunities and synergies of its core businesses with the lifestyle and entertainment sectors decades ago.

“My father, Henry Sy, Sr., wanted to sell shoes to every Filipino. That is where the business of SM was grounded – from my father’s dream and vision. After his endeavor became successful, windows of opportunities opened and paved the way to a bigger and more diverse department store. Expansions were made to accommodate the growing business of SM, which included entertainment,” Sy recounted.

Sy added that the SM Cinema, which opened in 1987 at the newly constructed SM North EDSA, changed the conventional practice of Filipinos’ movie-watching.

“SM Cinema raised the bar and changed the lives of Filipino consumers. It reflected SM’s unwavering dedication to innovation. All innovations are propagated by change as it is the rhythm of life. Change, when reinforced by vision, determination, and perseverance, can foster an undoubtedly thriving business,” Sy said. (James Loyola)