Esquire turns back on decision to exit Singapore with new publishing house

Hearst Magazines International will be relaunching men's lifestyle magazine Esquire Singapore under a multi-year, multi-platform licensing agreement with Heart Media Group in Singapore.

The news comes just about three months after the magazine revealed that it would be ceasing publication in Singapore with Media Publishares, and the last issue being its December 2022-January 2023 edition. During the closure, Media Publishares are also the publishers of Robb Report and Vogue, said the company will strengthen its existing titles under Condé Nast International and Penske Media Corporation.

CEO of Heart Media Group Olivier Burlot said that with the relaunch, the publication will create content across print and digital and that it will leverage its database readers in Singapore to offer unique and engaging event opportunities for its brand partners. Wilson Lim, who previously led Men's Folio magazine as its editor-in-chief, has been named editor in chief of the publication. “We are excited to bring Esquire Singapore into our portfolio, enabling us to expand Heart Media's offerings and meet the market demand for an international and high-quality brand aimed specifically at men,” he said.

“Lim's experience and deep understanding of the men’s market in Singapore will surely take this venerable brand to new heights of success in the market,” said Kim St. Clair Bodden, senior vice president of editorial and brand director of Hearst Magazines International. “We are delighted to have him at the helm and welcome him as editor-in-chief.”

Lim will be joined by an editorial team that will contribute to daily lifestyle and fashion news, reviews, tips, how-to guides and interviews for the publication. According to Burlot, the editorial team will incorporate past members of Esquire Singapore as well as new talents. "Special attention will be given to columnists to give Esquire Singapore a diverse point of view, we want to generate exciting debates and questioning. We want the magazine to be fully representative of what men love to do and love to wear in the 21st century," he said.

Don't miss: Italian fashion mag Grazia makes its foray into SG and MY

The first issue of the relaunched Esquire Singapore will be its June 2023 issue. MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Heart Media for more information.

The news comes shortly after Heart Media Group revealed that it will be launching a new fashion magazine, GRAZIA, in Singapore and Malaysia in March this year. Touted as the first 100% Italian fashion magazine to have “exported its successful formula worldwide”, from Italy to China, the magazine is published by the Mondadori Group and is also said to be "Italy's fashion bible".

GRAZIA Singapore and GRAZIA Malaysia launched in March 2023 with an English-language print issue, a website and a presence on all relevant social media platforms. Pakkee Tan and Ian Loh will lead the Singapore and Malaysia editorial operations respectively as editor-in-chief.

According to Heart Media, Singapore and Malaysia were chosen as both markets are vibrant fashion hubs within Southeast Asia, boasting large economies and a growing luxury and fashion-savvy clientele. GRAZIA, born in Italy in 1938, plans to use its authority and influence to offer readers in both countries a new lens across the fields of fashion, jewels, watches, beauty, lifestyle and culture.

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