Adkom snaps up Taiwan titles

Established about two years ago, Adkom has purchased Money Guide Magazine from Guide Corporation, a Taiwan publishing company which focuses on computer and IT-related issues. It has also bought World Geographic Magazine from founder James Yang.

Both monthlies have a print run of between 70,000 and 80,000 copies per issue.

Adkom will also be rolling out 2happy2 in May as a brand extension of 2happy2.com, a wedding portal launched about 18 months ago which has more than 50,000 couples registered to use its services. Leading brands such as DeBeers. Intercontinental Hotel and Thailand Tourism Board support the portal.

The quarterly, which will have a print run of 40,000 copies, will be positioned slightly above the two current wedding magazines in Taiwan - ViVi Bride and New Bride - according to Adkom chief executive officer and publisher Olivier Burlot, previously Hachette Filipacchi regional business manager and Taiwan publisher of Elle, Car and Driver and Orient Beauty.

Burlot said: "Major advertisers have shown interest in the magazine - Rado, Christian Dior, S.T. Dupont, Estee Lauder, Club Med and Citibank.

The awareness that 2happy2.com has generated will translate into an efficient and rapid brand building for 2happy2 magazine."

Burlot said future acquisitions would reinforce the company's core business of publishing finance, travel and women's titles.