mm2 Partners SPH to Turn AsiaOne into Asia's Top Lifestyle & News Portal
mm2 and SPH complete deal to jointly operate AsiaOne, venturing into digital editorial and video content creation for Asian-focused news, lifestyle and entertainment
mm2 Asia Ltd. (“mm2”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “mm2 Group”) and Singapore Press Holdings Limited (“SPH”), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, SPH Invest Ltd. (“SPH Invest”), will jointly operate AsiaOne, introducing more lifestyle and entertainment content to the 23-year-old online news site. mm2 and SPH Invest now hold 51% and 49% equity interest respectively in AsiaOne Online Pte. Ltd. (“AsiaOne Online”), the operating joint venture company.
Mr. Chang Long Jong, mm2 Group’s CEO, said: “We are incredibly excited to work with SPH on building up the AsiaOne brand across Asia. mm2 has always been observing, and experimenting with different initiatives in digital content production and distribution. Our hope is to create engaging digital content, especially in video-based formats. Being mm2, we would also like to inject into AsiaOne our ‘mm2 DNA’ and create content that is centred upon lifestyle and entertainment. As consumers of digital content ourselves, my team and I are eager to serve the growing local and regional demand for relevant and interactive digital editorial and video content.”
Mr Anthony Tan, Deputy CEO, SPH, said: “AsiaOne was one of the first online news portals that rode on the Internet wave in the late 90s. We look forward to working with mm2 on its new phase of growth and expansion to grow its audience both locally as well as regionally. With more lifestyle and entertainment content added to the news site, AsiaOne will have a broader appeal and wider reach. Coupled with the adoption of new technologies especially in the mobile space, the product will better serve our readers and advertisers.”
Ms Suzie Wang will be helming AsiaOne Online as its new CEO, while also performing the role of mm2’s Head, Digital Media Group. An industry veteran, she has held various leadership positions. Prior to AsiaOne Online, she was Vice President of Non-Linear Production and Content Distribution with Mediacorp Pte. Ltd. where she created and distributed digital content.
Singapore-based AsiaOne was founded in 1995 by SPH, and provides online advertising and interactive marketing opportunities to marketers, including banner advertising, mobile advertising, electronic direct mailing, viral marketing gateway, and sponsorships. AsiaOne, since a relaunch in May 2017, focuses on social news and trending topics that are being discussed in Singapore, Malaysia and the region. The editorial team curates stories and videos from Singapore and the region, and uses analytics and tools to showcase compelling stories. Besides content curation, AsiaOne continues to create popular lifestyle content and features, as well as emphasise on comprehensive story packages from local and foreign sources.
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Note to media: Please read this press release in conjunction with the Company’s announcement released on SGXnet on the same date, which can be found here.
