Middle East-headquartered ITP Media Group has acquired Singapore-based Heart Media Group, marking a significant expansion of its operations across Asia-Pacific and extending its media footprint into Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.The acquisition brings Heart Media’s portfolio and teams under the ITP Media Group umbrella, creating a combined media business spanning the GCC, India and Asia-Pacific. The integration will be phased, with Heart’s brands continuing to retain their existing editorial identities, client relationships and audiences.Following the acquisition, ITP will have a portfolio of 90 media brands and a physical presence across 10 countries, reaching more than 200 million people every month.Heart Media’s portfolio includes international luxury and lifestyle titles such as Grazia, Esquire, ELLE, ELLE Men, LUXUO, Yacht Style, Men’s Folio, World of Watches and NOBLE.The deal also sets the stage for further investment in the Asian business, with ITP planning to expand teams across editorial, digital, design and live events. The combined group is also expected to develop cross-border digital media initiatives, industry events, gaming tournaments, brand activations and live sporting experiences.Luxury brands seek local relevanceHeart Media managing director Wilson Lim told PRovoke Media that the acquisition comes at a time when luxury brands are increasingly seeking media partners that can combine international reach with market-specific storytelling.“Luxury brands are increasingly asking for locally-resonant content that is part of global conversations,” Lim said.He pointed to the growing importance of working with artistes and personalities who have international influence, arguing that the combined group's broader network would allow brands to take such projects into multiple markets through a single initiative.Lim also highlighted the value of retaining local editorial expertise as the group expands. Local teams, he said, would enable global stories and campaigns to be adapted to individual markets while taking into account cultural differences and sensitivities.Expanding beyond publishingThe acquisition further strengthens ITP Media Group’s move beyond traditional publishing into a broader marketing and media services ecosystem.The group's existing operations include influencer marketing through ITP Live, alongside businesses focused on gaming, sports, events and creative communications. The addition of Heart Media's brands and capabilities is expected to broaden the range of solutions available to advertisers and brand partners.For PR agencies, however, the expansion also raises questions about the increasingly blurred boundaries between media owners, publishers and communications companies.Lim said PR agencies would continue to play an important role in the combined group's growth strategy.“From its genesis, Heart Media Group's aim has always been to be a one-stop media solutions partner,” he said.He added that the business would increasingly move beyond print, digital and social media into influencer marketing, content and brand experiences.“PR agencies have always been and will continue to be our steadfast partners and collaborators in our growth plans as they bring their unique expertise in each vertical,” Lim said.Leadership continuityAs part of the transaction, Heart Media founder and chairman Olivier Burlot will join the ITP Media Group board and continue to provide strategic direction on licensing as part of a phased equity transition.Lim will remain with the business as managing director of ITP Media Singapore and Malaysia, overseeing the existing operational, sales and editorial teams.“When we built Heart Media, the ambition was always to give Asia's luxury and lifestyle audiences media truly worthy of them,” Burlot said in the acquisition announcement.“Joining ITP is the natural next chapter. It takes everything we have created and gives it scale, investment and a bridge into one of the world's fastest-growing luxury markets.”ITP Media Group CEO Ali Akawi said the acquisition is part of the company's multi-year international expansion strategy, which includes targeted acquisitions designed to build a media ecosystem with greater global scale.The transaction comes shortly after ITP announced a 10-year agreement to operate Time Out Hong Kong and Time Out Singapore, further strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific market.The Heart Media acquisition consequently represents a broader strategic shift for ITP, giving the group a larger presence in some of Asia's key luxury, lifestyle and media markets while creating opportunities to connect brands, audiences and marketing capabilities across the Middle East and Asia.
