Media Prima elevates Rafiq Razali to group executive director

Media Prima has promoted Rafiq Razali as group executive director, reporting to group MD Iskandar Mizal Mahmood. Rafiq (pictured) first joined the Group in 2016 as CEO of REV Media Group, formerly known as Media Prima Digital. In that role, Media Prima said he successfully implemented a business turnaround strategy that propelled the Group to become one of Malaysia’s leading digital media companies in terms of revenue and audience reach. Rafiq will still lead REV Media Group as CEO.

Rafiq was also said to have been instrumental in the Group's strategic acquisitions and expansion of its digital asset portfolio. These included the purchase of Rev Asia Holdings in 2017 for RM105.0 million. Meanwhile under his leadership, REV Media Group also inked partnerships and licencing deals with global digital brands such as Mashable, IGN, and Technave. At the same time, Media Prima said Rafiq also played a key role in unifying its digital strategy across all business subsidiaries. Among his notable achievements to date include the implementation of the Group's big data strategy to deliver real time dashboards and deep audience profiles utilising complex AI algorithms. 

He first started out as a management associate in Maxis, holding various positions in international business and corporate strategy. In 2011, he moved to Groupon to lead the company's sales portfolio. He was later promoted to Groupon's country GM in January 2013 and co-founded fitness subscription company KFit in 2015. He then went on to launch the service in eight countries within seven months. 

Media Prima's group chairman Syed Hussian Aljunid said Rafiq's new role at the Group level will enable Media Prima to further explore new opportunities across all media platforms while offering clients with innovative and integrated media solutions. He added that the board welcomes the appointment of Rafiq and brings with him extensive experience and success having been responsible in key business transformation initiatives within the Group. 

"He is also well-versed and a respected figure in the digital media landscape having worked in several startup companies prior to joining Media Prima. We trust that he will contribute greatly to the Group moving forward," Syed Hussian said. 

Meanwhile, the Group recently clarified that there is no change in ownership of ntv7 nor is the channel shutting down, following news of the launch of DidikTV Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (DidikTV KPM). The Group told A+M previously that the collaboration is "not envisaged to be a short-term initiative" and the ntv7 team remains with the Group. Also, the running of DidikTV KPM will be executed by the team.

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