Based on the successes of Emphasis – a Hong Kong-based custom publishing and inflight media specialist acquired by PubliGroupe in 2001 whose 2006 turnover exceeded USD25 million – Custom Publishing will represent one of the four main segments.

Monica Woo, Managing Director of Emphasis Media and a 20-year industry veteran, will lead the Custom Publishing unit as Chief Executive Officer. Current Deputy Managing Director Jovita Toh will succeed Ms Woo. The restructuring will come into effect on January 1, 2008.
Hans-Peter Rohner, CEO of PubliGroupe and Chairman of Emphasis, remarked that recent successes and Emphasis’ expansion from its Hong Kong headquarters into Singapore were testament to the company’s resilience and expertise in an increasingly competitive market.

“Because of Emphasis’ expertise, reputation and direction, we see an opportunity to move forward with more investment and commitment at a Group level to help foster the company’s continued growth and geographical expansion into Mainland China, the Middle East and in select European markets. This will come in the form of not only financial resources, but also in the form of support from other key business units; namely, Search and Find, Media Sales and Digital & Marketing Services.” said Mr. Rohner.

Emphasis has made a name for itself in the publishing industry by producing Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific’s inflight magazines for more than 25 years. Emphasis also conducted advertising sales for all related Cathay Pacific media and has built an impressive client portfolio since establishing the Cathay account in 1981. Emphasis currently creates more than 26 publications in ten languages for ten major clients with a combined annual readership of more than sixty-five million.

After 25 years of successful cooperation, Emphasis and Cathay Pacific will no longer be working as publishing partners as of October 1, 2007. Emphasis is proud to have accomplished such a long term relationship and will be working hard to pitch again for upcoming opportunities in the ever growing business of Cathay Pacific. Emphasis retains the contract of Asian Programming Services for inflight entertainment of Cathay Pacific and Dragonair via the company’s subsidiary, Emphasis Video Entertainment (EVE).

“Emphasis has been a very well performing company and I am confident that Emphasis will meet our performance expectations this year. The company has won three new contracts in the past 4 months. Its new Singapore office is set to open on schedule this year to meet demand, and we will be looking very closely at potential acquisitions. New digital initiatives as well as diversification will benefit the Custom Publishing unit and Emphasis in particular.” said Mr. Rohner.

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