Ex-Hachette and holding company Lagardere director, Olivier Burlot, who launched Akdom two years ago.
How many staff?
Eighty full-time, with 20 in Hong Kong. It's busy. In the last couple of months we have bought and relaunched Health Plus, doubled the frequency of Action Asia, won two contract publishing works (Audi and Remy Martin), moved to a new office in Hong Kong and opened one in Singapore.
What's your office like?
Lively. There is always something going on and it is not unusual for the office to suddenly fill up with ropes, mountain bikes and kayaks as our challenge team prepares to invade some quiet unsuspecting corner of Asia somewhere for the latest Action Asia National Geographic Challenge.
And, we're probably the only office with a guitar and ukulele for stress relief.
Marketing responsibilities?
It's an interesting job with new product launches, plus Action Asia is celebrating its 10th anniversary and we have a regional marketing campaign with HMV, Pacific Coffee and California Fitness, as well as a TV campaign on National Geographic Channel and AXN.
Who's the competition?
That's a tricky one. When it comes to regional ad budgets we tend to be in the mix with the high-end regional news titles like Time and Business Week. In terms of content, you have to look to the US and European titles like Outside.
How do you get a job there?
Look in the recruitment pages of Media. It also helps if you are well known and respected in your field, like the latest addition to our Health Plus team, editor-in-chief Jevian Sun, who joined from Cosmopolitan. You must be willing to work hard, respond positively to pressure and be a team player.
Department or office transfers?
Certainly. We have offices in Taipei, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Shanghai.
Any training offered?
Ongoing training is offered for key disciplines and external courses are used when necessary. We also encourage the exchange of ideas between staff.
Pay and perks?
Action Asia is about the best places to visit. Of course there are perks.
Long hours?
Of course. We have an aggressive expansion plan, and in the current economic climate, the only way to ensure this is through hard work.
