MAM
Naomi Michael joins Publicis Groupe as chief communications officer Apac
Former IPG Mediabrands communications leader to shape the agency’s voice across Asia Pacific
SINGAPORE: Naomi Michael is set to join Publicis Groupe as chief communications officer for Asia Pacific, marking a new chapter for the veteran marketing and communications leader after nearly a decade with IPG Mediabrands.
Michael shared the news on social media, saying the upcoming Lunar New Year symbolises a fresh beginning in her career. She will step into the new role next week and work closely with Apac leadership, including regional CEO Jane Lin-Baden, as the group celebrates its centenary year.
“This Lunar New Year marks the start of a new chapter for me,” Michael said. “Really happy to share that I’ll be stepping into the role of chief communications officer Apac at Publicis Groupe next week. Looking forward to working with Jane Lin-Baden and the Publicis Groupe Apac leadership team in the Lion’s 100th year.”
Michael brings more than two decades of global experience across media, marketing and corporate communications. Most recently, she served as chief marketing and communications officer for IPG Mediabrands Apac, a role she held for nearly nine years. During her tenure, she led integrated communications strategies across the region, strengthening the network’s brand presence and stakeholder engagement.
Before rising to the regional C-suite role, she served as head of marketing and communications for IPG Mediabrands Apac, where she helped develop integrated communication plans designed to elevate the group’s visibility across the Asia-Pacific market.
Earlier in her career, Michael held senior marketing and communications roles within Omnicom Media Group and OMD Australia, where she oversaw national communications strategy, new business initiatives and corporate brand positioning. Her career also includes early roles with organisations such as the Financial Times, K-Cloud and The Walt Disney Company in London.
Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Michael is also active in social impact initiatives. She currently serves as a board member for the Myanmar chapter of Pencils for Kids, a non-profit organisation that supports access to education for children in developing countries by providing school supplies and uniforms.
With her move to Publicis Groupe, Michael is expected to steer the agency’s communications strategy across the diverse and fast-evolving Asia-Pacific market, helping shape its narrative at a time when the global advertising giant enters its 100th year.
Brands
Burda Media sells BurdaLuxury to Jaipur Capital in Southeast Asia push
Deal hands regional media portfolio to Singapore investor eyeing luxury growth
MUMBAI: Burda Media has agreed to sell its Southeast Asia-focused business, BurdaLuxury, to Jaipur Capital, marking a strategic shift for both companies as they double down on their respective growth priorities.
The deal will see Jaipur Capital acquire BurdaLuxury’s media operations across Thailand, India, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. The portfolio spans content marketing and media brands in travel, luxury and aviation, giving the investor a ready-made regional footprint and a sizeable audience base.
Jaipur Capital plans to build on this foundation to create a premium media network in Southeast Asia, blending high-end editorial with scalable digital platforms. As part of the transaction, all BurdaLuxury employees, including its management team, will move to the new owner, ensuring continuity as the business enters its next phase.
For Burda Media, the sale is part of a broader strategy to sharpen its focus on core European markets while scaling investments in digital-first opportunities. The company will, however, maintain its interest in the region through Burda Principal Investments, its global growth capital arm.
“This transaction reflects our commitment to sharpening our international focus while ensuring that BurdaLuxury continues to thrive in Southeast Asia,” said Burda Media CEO Jan Wachtel, adding that Jaipur Capital recognises the strength of the brands and teams involved.
Jaipur Capital, meanwhile, is betting big on the region’s appetite for premium content. “This acquisition significantly strengthens our premium content ecosystem,” said Jaipur Capital director Vikas Johari. He highlighted the business’s strong digital tilt, with 46 per cent of revenues coming from online channels, alongside a diversified presence across five markets.
The numbers tell a compelling story. BurdaLuxury clocks 48 million annual page views and reaches more than 40 million followers on social media, with no single market contributing over a quarter of total revenues. Jaipur Capital now aims to expand these brands further into Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, while also exploring opportunities in the Middle East, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
With this deal, Burda Media trims its global footprint to focus on depth over breadth, while Jaipur Capital steps onto a bigger stage in the premium content space. If execution matches ambition, this could be a defining chapter for luxury media in the region.
