Friday, August 7, 2009

Lifestyle Asia expands web offering to Manila

Luxury publishing group Lifestyle Asia has struck a joint venture deal with Manila-based boutique PR and ad agency Thinline to launch its online magazine in the Philippines.

Lifestyle Asia Manila will cover all areas of lifestyle but focus on fashion, wine and dine, and nightlife. The company said it has already received more than 3,000 subscribers from the Philippines.

Manila is currently the fastest developing internet market by percentage with a large English language population that Lifestyle Asia hopes to tap into.

Lifestyle Asia founding partner Sebastian Svensson said the collaboration with Thinline will help to establish a client base and make inroads into Manila's events and nightlife scene.

He said Canon had already signed on as a sponsor for the launch.

The move is part of an expansion plan which kicked off in November last year when the company shifted its focus from a Hong Kong-only title to an Asia-wide offering.

In April last year the company expanded its services to Singapore and in August launched in Bangkok. China is also expected to be on its radar.

Svensson said Hong Kong and Singapore were faring well and said he was confident Manila would take off.

"We have the advantage of first to market," he said.