Editor of Indonesia’s defunct version of Playboy magazine insists he was never in the porn business

The editor of Indonesia’s defunct version of Playboy magazine, Erwin Arnada, insists he was never in the pornography business.  But now, he is forced to hide because of a two-year jail sentence hanging over his head and vigilantes vowing to track him down wherever he is.

The local edition of the U.S. men’s magazine, which began publication in 2006, was relatively tame, and conspicuously free of nudity. But faced with violent protests by hard-line Muslim groups, it soon folded, while Mr. Arnada fended off a succession of criminal charges.  The second issue of Playboy Indonesia, still baring zero nudity or lingerie, had come out after the publisher had moved its offices to the island of Bali, two months after Islamic hardliners had attempted to trash its Jakarta offices following the magazine’s first edition.

Things had gone quiet until this August, with the surprise announcement that the Indonesian Supreme Court, in an unpublicized verdict last year, had found him guilty of indecency. The New York Times reported on the subject early this month in an article named “From Hiding, Indonesian Defends Free Expression“.

Playboy Indonesia was published by Velvet Silver Media and had a print run of about 100 000 copies, according to Wikipedia.  It was the first issue of Playboy to launch in a Muslim country since the Turkish edition folded in the mid-90’s (NB: Turkey is a secular country although Islam is the dominant religion there).

Home & Decor Magazine has launched in Indonesia

Singapore-based SPH Magazines has signed a licensing agreement with Kingpin Media to publish monthly title Home & Decor in Indonesia, the first license for the upscale home publication.

Home & Decor, first launched in Singapore in 1987, is Singapore’s No. 1 interior magazine and was awarded the Best in Design (Bronze) in the Asia Media Awards in 2005.  Home & Decor Indonesia will feature the same quality editorial content and excellent design that the Singapore edition is known for. Readers can find out the latest decor trends, furnishings, accessories, design industry tips as well as some of the most innovative home designs in the magazine.

Mr Foong Seong Khong, Head of SPH Magazines’ International Licensing Unit, said: “The licensing of Home & Decor in Indonesia reaffirms its strength as a brand with huge regional potential. We are confident that SPH Magazines, together with Kingpin Media, will develop and grow the title in Indonesia’s fast-growing market, and quickly duplicate the success that Home & Decor has enjoyed locally.”

Condé Nast graduates from the Gehry-designed cafeteria to the restaurant business

As reported by the WSJ, US magazine publisher Condé Nast is taking some of its best-known magazine names like Vogue and GQ and parlaying them into the restaurant business in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.  The effort reflects a growing openness among magazine publishers to try to capitalize on their brands beyond print, which continues to struggle in a tough advertising environment.

The restaurant venture only involves Condé Nast’s international unit, so there are no plans for a Vanity Fair Café or a New Yorker Bar & Grill in the U.S. That being said, the American magazines have been freed to reach their own deals, such as lines of jewelry or furnishings or e-commerce partnerships to name a few that Glamour US dabbled in recently.

“I think there’s been a new openness in the entire organization to experimenting, trying new things, and I would say thinking about the business model in new ways,” said Jonathan Newhouse, Chairman of Condé Nast International.

The company is establishing a new division, called Condé Nast Restaurants,

Esquire to launch Malaysia edition in April 2011

The announcement on Wednesday by Hearst Magazines International (HMI) President/CEO (since 2009) Duncan Edwards of the April 2011 launch of Esquire/Malaysia marks Esquire‘s 22nd overseas edition!  There was only a handful in 1989 when Edwards’ predecessor George Green took the job.

Hearst’s partner in Esquire Malaysia is Mongoose Publishing, which also publishes Time Out, Newsweek and Nat Geo among others in Malaysia. The editor will be Sam Coleman and the language is English (widely spoken in Malaysia).  Esquire Malaysia will have an initial print run of 30 000 copies, a minimum of 164 pages and a cover price of RM12.

“Esquire’s sophisticated and stylish approach to covering the subjects and stories that young men care most about translates incredibly well around the world” Edwards said. “We’re confident that its mix of strong storytelling, award-winning reporting, humor and panache will make it a big success in Malaysia, as it has in other countries.”

International editions usually run their own editorial and marketing shows, but in 2008 Esquire Russia adapted the “ultimate bachelor pad” that has been a staple for the U.S. flagship since its 70th anniversary in 2003.  This fall, the “Esquire House” will be in the Hollywood Hills overlooking Los Angeles.

With this launch, Esquire will be available in 7 Asian countries and 22 in total worldwide.

“The Big Issue”, a magazine sold by homeless, launches in South Korea

Big Issue Korea (BIK), the South Korean version of the London-based weekly magazine The Big Issue, has launched.  The Big Issue started in London to offer homeless and vulnerably housed people the opportunity to earn a legitimate income. The staff produces a weekly entertainment and current affairs magazine, which vendors buy from us for 85 pence and sell to the public for £1.70, keeping 85 pence for themselves. Vendors must adhere to a code of conduct whilst selling the magazine.  The publisher believe in offering “a hand up, not a hand out”, but also recognize that earning an income is the first step on the journey away from homelessness. The Big Issue Foundation is a registered charity, which exists to link vendors with the vital support that will help them address the issues that have led to their homelessness. The Foundation works exclusively with vendors, offering support, advice and referrals. 

Fifteen people have begun sales in Seoul, and the magazine looks to increase their number to 50 this year, company officials said. Sellers are issued temporary ID cards and an initial set of ten free copies.

Half a month of vending permits them to purchase copies of the magazine for 1,400 KRW (£0.92) each and sell them for 3,000 KRW (£1.98) thereafter. The initiative will also be supported by the Seoul metropolitan government.

Martha Stewart Living expands internationally

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is to launch Everyday Food in Dubai in July 2010. The monthly title will have a circulation of 35000 and will be distributed in Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Syria and Jordan.  The US edition of Everyday Food currently reaches 4,5 million readers a month.  Additionally, Martha Stewart Weddings is also set to launch in Dubai by October 2010, under license from local entertainment firm Takhayal.  The quarterly bridal magazine will have a circulation of 40 000 and will be distributed in Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Syria and Jordan.  The US edition of Martha Stewart Weddings, which debuted in 1994, currently circulates about 230 000 copies every quarter.

Also, Martha Stewart Living magazine will launch in Indonesia under a licensing agreement with Kompas Gramedia, the largest media conglomerate there. The monthly home title will launch in August 2010 with a circulation of 20000.

Lastly, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia has announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Pizzazz Media to produce and distribute Martha Stewart Living in the UK. The new edition, which will be distributed throughout the UK, New Zealand and Australia, is expected to be published on a monthly basis following the September 2010 launch.  The magazine’s circulation is 50 000 and the cover price is £3,75 (€4,52).

Maxposure Media Group takes over license for FHM India

Maxposure Media Group has acquired the license for FHM India from Next Gen Publishing.  Maxposure Media Group’s co-founder and publisher Vikas Johari said: “FHM India is a prestigious brand and marks Maxposure Media Group’s entrance into the men’s lifestyle publishing segment. I want to take this opportunity to appreciate Next Gen Publishing initiatives to forward FHM’s market presence, especially the popular ‘FHM Magazine’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World’ poll and its mobile download service. India has 600 million registered users in the country, and hence a huge opportunity for FHM mobile in future.”

Commenting on the acquisition, Simon Greves, international director, FHM, said: “Since its India launch in 2007, FHM has established itself as a leading men’s lifestyle magazine brand. I am very happy that Maxposure Media Group will be taking the title forward.”

FHM India has a print run of 110 000 and a cover price of 100 Rs.

Click here to download FHM India’s rate card.

Luxury lifestyle-technology magazine “Switch” just launched in Singapore

Magazines Integrated Pte has launched Switch, a luxury lifestyle-technology magazine, in Singapore.  The bi-monthly magazine has a print-run of 8000 copies (6000 distributed for free through a selective distribution network e.g. and 2000 copies in newsstands).  The cover price is 5 SGD (about €2,95). 

SWITCH magazine is

Singapore: Magazines Integrated successfully launched “epicure” magazine

Singapore-based Magazines Integrated Pte Ltd [m(int.)] has succesfully launched epicure magazine, a 120-page monthly food publication whose debut issue came out in April 2010.

Designed for bon vivants who share the belief that food is the ultimate universal language, epicure is on an enthusiastic quest to seek out the latest dining trends, sniff out remarkable wine vintages and uncover the dynamics and intricacies of the local and international culinary scene. Each month, the magazine will profile celebrity chefs and winemakers, showcase exclusive recipes for entertaining as well as highlight the latest destinations for well-travelled foodies. These insightful articles are complemented with lush, captivating photos to stimulate the senses. In addition, epicure will also have an active online presence. Readers can gain access to the epicure brand via its print magazine, interactive website and Facebook. In particular, the website will generate add-on interactive features to engage its online readers.

epicure has a circulation of 10000 copies and will be audited after one year of publication. The magazine will be available at major bookstores, newsstands, in hotels, and selected airlines and restaurants.  Cover price is S$8.50.

Singapore: new luxury magazine “JETGALA” will launch

Oriental Media Group has announced last week’s launch of their pan-Asian luxury print magazine JETGALA. JETGALA is a bi-monthly, regional title which reaches out to and covers executive and private jet aviation field. The print run is 20 000 and the cover price is the local equivalent of US$10.

JETGALA is published in English and is distributed in 14 countries around the greater Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East.  According to Oriental Media Group, the title is circulated via established luxury media distribution channels, selected newsstands, as well as via the private and executive jet industry in over 12 countries.

The website Jetgala.com will go live in July.

Lonely Planet Magazine launched in Singapore

On May 3, BBC Magazines’ Lonely Planet Magazine launched a pan-Asian edition of the monthly travel title, based in Singapore. The magazine is published under licence following a partnership deal between BBC Magazines and Regent Media Pte.  Regent Media already publishes enthusiast publications covering automobile and sports like Wheels Asia, Golf Asia and Formula 1 and Football Weekly as well as glossy lifestyle niche titles like Escape and Food & Travel.

The debut issue of Lonely Planet Magazine  Singapore has a cover price of S$7.50 (€4.35) and the initial print run is 80 000. Edited by Joyceline Tully, the Asian edition of Lonely Planet Magazine, which is to publish bi-monthly, is on sale in selected territories throughout Asia, such as Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai, and, of course, Singapore.

Lonely Planet Magazine first launched in the UK in November 2008 and quickly expanded to other markets. By the end of 2009, BBC Magazines had already launched six international editions of the magazine. Through agreements with local publishers, Lonely Planet Magazine currently has editions in Brazil, France, Spain, Argentina, the Philippines, India and now Singapore (pan-Asian).  BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, acquired its 75% stake in the Lonely Planet brand for £89m at the end of 2007.

For more information about the Singapore-based edition, click here.

China: “Boat International” magazine launches Chinese edition

Boat International Media, a global media group serving the superyacht industry, and Edipresse Asia are to launch Boat International magazine in China this Fall.  The quarterly enthusiast magazine for wealthy Chinese will be published in Mandarin and Cantonese languages and its debut issue is planned for an official launch this coming September, followed by December 2010 as well as March and June 2011 issues.

Barrie Goodridge, CEO of Hong Kong-based Edipresse Asia explained in the official press release that “given the incredible resilience of the Chinese market over the past 18 months, the continued explosive creation of high-net-worth-individuals in the region and the increasing development of a yachting culture at the top end of the luxury sector, we feel now is the perfect time to launch a premium product for the Chinese market. Boat International is the most credible and resourceful magazine in the superyacht industry and I am excited by the prospects of what we can achieve together in the region.”

Boat International China should carry a minimum of 115 editorial pages and will launch with an initial print run of 15 000 copies, according to Edipresse Asia. 

Distributed in 55 countries Boat International is the world’s only truly international, monthly, English-language luxury yachting magazine.  Launched in 1983, it has established itself as the number one magazine for the global superyacht market. Its unrivalled coverage of power and sail yachting is achieved by drawing on the work of the world’s best photographers and yachting journalists.

Click to see the official press release in English.

Indonesia: Marie Claire launches 37th international edition

Indonesia is quite a booming market for western magazine brands these days. It’s at least the third magazine launch there announced since the beginning of this year after Elle Decor and Forbes.  According to Victor Visot, Lagardère Active’s CEO for Greater China and Southeast Asia, Indonesia is currently home to over 500 magazine titles, read by 17% of adults in towns and 6% in the countryside, more than the number of people going online.

And now Marie Claire launched its latest edition in Jakarta about a week ago with local publisher Trinaya Tirta Media, also publisher of Elle and Elle Decor, with a print run of 55 000.

Forbes magazine to launch Indonesian edition by year’s end

Forbes Inc. has signed a deal with media group Wahana Mediatama to launch its latest international edition, Forbes Indonesia, later this year in the market.   An exact date is not known at this time.

On the partnership, Millie Stephanie, president director of Wahana Mediatama, said: “Indonesia is ready for a world-class independent business magazine, and Forbes is the perfect brand for such a publication. The editorial approach is well matched with the growing sophistication and aspirations of the Indonesian business community. For Indonesia, the entry of Forbes into the market signals the country’s growing importance on the global business scene.”

On its latest international edition, William Adamopoulos, president and publisher of Forbes Asia, added: “We are excited to be entering the Indonesia market. The timing is excellent. Indonesia’s economy is on a strong growth trajectory and the confidence of the country’s entrepreneurs has never been higher. Indonesia’s business story is exciting, and we look forward to telling that story in the pages of Forbes Indonesia.”

Based in Jakarta, the first issue is slated to be published later this year. The latest edition adds to Forbes’ growing commitment to the Asia-Pacific region where it currently run its flagship title, Forbes Asia, along with three other partnerships publishing local editions in China, India and Korea. The combined circulation is 360 000, according to Forbes.

Read the official Forbes Inc. press release.

Singapore: SPH launched “The Peak Selections: Gourmet & Travel”

SPH Magazines’luxury lifestyle monthly The Peak has launched The Peak Selections: Gourmet & Travel in Singapore, its third and latest brand extension. Gourmet & Travel is a new bi-annual luxury publication, which follows other annual titles The Peak Selections: Timepieces and The Peak Selections: Domain.

Gourmet & Travel is a guide on what high-net-worth individuals need to know about the world of gourmet food, fine wine and lush travel. Offering a global outlook with insider and expert knowledge, it offers dining and travel information, insights and recommendations.  Gourmet & Travel is the official high-society luxury gourmet & travel publication of the 2010 World Gourmet Summit.

Launched in Singapore in 1984, The Peak features stories on business and world views that interest the successful and famous. Its “People At The Peak” section profiles leaders of Singapore government, industries, businesses and professions.  The Peak, which also has editions in Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Malaysia, is more than just a corporate lifestyle magazine; it is a platform for exchange among successful business leaders and professionals.  The magazine currently circulates 14 000 copies per month in Singapore, 13 000 in Indonesia, 14 000 In Malaysia and 20 000 in Hong Kong, according to the publisher’s media pack.

More info:
Gourmet & Travel‘s page on the SPH Magazines’ website.
View The Peak’s rate card.

Global: GQ and CK Underwear partner to run AR ad campaign in 12 countries

The underwear brand Calvin Klein Underwear (part of Warnaco Intimates Group) has partnered with 12 international editions of GQ magazine to launch a new print ad campaign that would make use of the Augmented Reality (AR) technology. Various underwear models (American actors Kellan Lutz and Mehcad Brooks, Spanish tennis player Fernando Verdasco or Japanese soccer player Hidetoshi Nakata) will be featured on the double page ad depending on the market.  The AR code embedded in the CKU creative will allow users whose computers are equipped with a webcam to watch four short CKU promotional films online, created exclusively for the program via a dedicated mini-site: http://www.xmarkyourspot.com.

 

The campaign was designed by the New York shop Laird & Partners, in collaboration with digital agency Syrup, for the conception and execution of the digital components.  The CKU ads to enable the campaign have already started appearing in the magazine’s editions in India, the US, China, Korea, Australia, France, Mexico and Taiwan in April (May issues). In May, it will be featured in the June issues of GQ UK, Germany, Spain and Italy editions.

Cosmopolitan magazine to launch in Vietnam this April

April will mark the launch of Cosmopolitan magazine’s Vietnamese edition and its 60th in the world!  Under the editorial lead from Ms. Tran Nguyen Thien Huong, the Vietnam edition will supplement the editorial tone of its American counterpart with articles catering specifically to a Vietnamese audience, as stated in the Press Release from Hearst Magazines International.

The first run is supposed to clock in at 20 000 180-page copies and will sell for VND 29 800, or about US$1.55.  The magazine will be distributed in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (the former Saigon) through local publishing partner Sun Flower Media and will target 20 to 35-year-old working urban females.

Cosmo International Editor-in-Chief (since 1997), Helen Gurley Brown, made the U.S. women’s monthly magazine the Sex & the Single Girl powerhouse it now is when she became the Editor back in 1965. Chances are that many female military personnel (nurses, etc.) read Cosmo in Vietnam for R&R just as their male counterparts read Playboy at the time. Now the magazine returns with new meaning to “make love, not war” as MIN Online reported.

Japan’s Dentsu to export digital magazine distribution platform for smartphones “Magastore”

The japanese media and advertising giant Dentsu has announced that it was ready to start offering its digital magazine distribution platform called Magastore in the West, first in the U.S. and then in Europe.  The platform, which is currently only available in Japan right now, makes digital magazines readable on smartphones (only on Apple's iPhones until now but soon on Android's too).  The Magastore platform debuted in Japan in the Summer of 2009 with 30 titles provided by 20 mainstream publishers including Asahi Shimbun, ALBA, Kodansha, Shogakukan, Shinchosha, SONY, Hankyu and Fuso and was the result of a cooperation between Dentsu and Japanese tech firm Yappa.

The application wrapper was initially priced at approx. ¥115 / US$1 to download and magazine contents ranged from free up to ¥600 / US$6. The offering also included access to current and archive editions with a so-called “MyShelf” which allowed for customers to store their library of purchases.  Considering that iPhones aren't as ubiquitous in Japan (they launched late after the market had long been inundated with other types of smartphones), it will be interesting to see how this will fare in the West, but I reckon it's got lots of potential!

Newsweek to launch Pakistan edition by September 2010

The news itself is old apparently, but I just heard about it. It seems that a Pakistan Edition of the American news magazine Newsweek (owned by the Washington Post Company)will soon be coming to a news stand near you, if you live in Karachi or Islamabad that is.  Reportedly the initial print run should be around 30 000 copies – about 4x the current sales estimated at 7500 copies a week and the first issue is expected in September 2010.

The Pakistani edition will be managed by A.G. Publications– a subsidiary of the Associated Group (AG) – which itself is led by Fasih Ahmed, a former award-winning Newsweek correspondent for Pakistan.  

Newsweek already has three international English language editions, including the one managed in Hong Kong which is now available in Pakistan. It also has a number of global editions published in regional languages (Arabic, Russian, Polish, etc.). However, it seems that the Pakistani edition will be in English and aims, eventually, for a South Asian market, with both international and local content. Given that Indian laws regarding foreign publications are more stringent, it is speculated that although Newsweek is setting up shop in Pakistan, the real market it is eying is the much bigger Indian market. According to a recent report in the FT, estimates suggest that only about 1000 copies of English-language publications are sold per day in Pakistan, a country of 180 million.  Existing English-language titles include: The Herald, Newsline, The Friday Times, Dawn, and The News. 

Lagardère Active launches 25th edition of ELLE DECORATION in Indonesia

Lagardère Active recently announced the signature of a license agreement with PT Trinaya Tirta for the launch of ELLE DECORATION in Indonesia, whose first issue came out on February 22nd. PT Trinaya has already been publishing ELLE successfully under license for now 2 years in Indonesia and Adeline Juni Mewengkang, already editor-in-chief of ELLE, has also been appointed editorial director for ELLE DECORATION. The title will have a print run of 50 000 copies and will sell for 48800 RP (about €3,80).

The ELLE DECORATION brand has developed through a wide range of activities and is now a platform-agnostic global media brand catering to avid decor enthusiasts everywhere.  Content is available on websites, brand extensions such as magazine spin-offs, TV programs, several local events and the ELLE DECORATION INTERNATIONAL DESIGN AWARDS, which are now considered the worldwide annual rendez-vous for world-class designers and manufacturers.

The ELLE DECORATION network, the world’s number one style magazine for the home, now boasts:

* more than 8,5 million readers worldwide
* a yearly circulation of more than 20 million copies
* more than 10 000 advertising pages in 2009
* 34 000 editorial pages in 2009