Robb Report Hong Kong launch in 2022

Robb Report Hong Kong enters the Hong Kong luxury lifestyle media market

HONG KONG -  30 August 2022 - Hong Kong welcomes a new title today in the city's luxury media market. With the launch of Robb Report Hong Kong and its official website, Nexus Media Limited will publish the esteemed print magazine annually alongside daily digital content, presenting a definitive guide to lifestyle and luxury.

Robb Report carries an unrivalled global reputation for reporting on lifestyle with authority and discernment. Robb Report Hong Kong is dedicated to featuring all aspects of luxury, primarily focusing on automobiles, aviation, and boating, alongside coverage of real estate, travel, dining, whiskies, wine, watches, jewelry, and fashion.

Above and beyond any other luxury enterprise or venture, Robb Report is known for its grand events, creating tailor-made experiences for its VIP readers and clientele. From first-look previews to private evenings and sojourns, Robb Report readers are provided with unparalleled access and benefits that truly speak to living life to the fullest.

"Robb Report Hong Kong is unlike any other magazine you'll see on newsstands," says Tak Man, Chief Executive Officer and Director at Nexus Media Limited, who brings the title to market. "We are about creating unique experiences, hand-picked from around the globe to feature only the very Best of the Best—an integral theme in our magazine. What's extraordinary about this launch in Hong Kong is that our readers will get to experience tailored, specially curated events, the likes of which many have never seen or experienced before."

Robb Report Hong Kong's print magazine, Best of the Best, is an annual publication that promises to be the definitive tome on luxury and lifestyle in Asia. With a massive online and social media presence, the signature events that complement the features on the official website and print magazine makes this an exciting venture like no other in the region, staying true to its motto: Luxury without Compromise.

Be it Signature Events or Tailored Events, join Robb Report Hong Kong as we travel to exotic destinations for unparalleled experiences.

Car of the Year has been a staple in Robb Report's calendar for the past two decades. Each year, readers participate in a fresh experience at a new location with extraordinary cars of the moment. A carefully selected and well-informed panel of judges will shortlist the supercars as nominees for Car of the Year, and our event will be capped off with a grand gala dinner featuring an exclusive VIP guest list and the announcement of the Car of the Year nominees. This lavish event will premiere in Hong Kong in the first quarter of 2023.

Ultimate Drive takes readers on an annual pilgrimage that will appeal to the most passionate of auto enthusiasts. To add to the beautiful displays of automotive excellence, participants are treated to behind-the-scenes tours and access, exclusive drive experiences, and model previews with the top automotive marques in the world, as well as private celebrations with superlative luxury brands that only Robb Report can provide. This multi-day extravaganza is one that true auto enthusiasts and collectors mark on their calendar every year.

Each year, Robb Report bestows its Best of the Best awards on the very finest luxury products, services, and experiences that the world has to offer. A select group of readers will gather together for a private celebratory dinner to toast the Best of the Best winners.

For the epicurean, the hottest ticket in town is Culinary Masters. Join Robb Report and an incredible line-up of Michelin-starred luminaries for an unforgettable weekend of gourmet dining experiences, exquisite wine pairings, intimate culinary classes, and a friendly golf tournament with your favorite chefs, all surrounded by magnificent views.

And finally, the year is capped off with Dream Machines. Robb Report's Dream Machines: Land & Air makes its debut in Hong Kong, presenting readers with an elite experience featuring the latest machines, wings, and wheels for a fun, adrenaline-driven adventure. Test-drive the newest luxury cars, enjoy epic helicopter tours over the city, and indulge in exceptional dining, world-class wines, and fabulous accommodations.

In Hong Kong, a hybrid of both curated experiences and programmes will be created for Robb Report readers on an international scale.

A Brief History

The first edition of Robb Report hit newsstands in the United States back in 1976, originally devoted to advertisements for new and vintage Rolls-Royces by founder Robert L. "Rusty" White. The original "Robb" distributed his newsletter to members of the Rolls-Royce Owners Club, and he provided a suede three-ring binder to paying subscribers, setting a standard of effortless elegance from the get-go.

The brand evolved over the course of four decades to become what it is today: the single most influential journal of living life to the fullest, with 18 international editions in 10 languages spanning 28 countries across the globe.

The Hong Kong edition is the nineteenth title in the franchise, highlighting not only the finest aspects of life and luxury in the world, but putting a spotlight on what's rising from the East, consumers of note, cognoscente of luxury, and experiences like no other.

For all of the changes that have taken place in the years since Robb Report first hit newsstands all those years ago, the standards of exceptional quality, beauty, and precision have remained constant in the hearts and minds of true connoisseurs who have subscribed to the publication since its nascent stage.

In Hong Kong, the publication of its annual, Best of the Best, is anticipated to hit newsstands in the first quarter of 2023. A mighty tome limning the finest products and services, Best of the Best will be accompanied by the official website, dedicated to providing daily updates on what's happening in the world of luxury across all digital platforms.

Robb Report is the leading voice in the global luxury market, synonymous with affluence, luxury, and the best of the best. Its discerning audience around the world has a shared appreciation and desire for quality, exclusivity, heritage, taste, and fine design. It is the brand the most successful people rely on to discover the ideas, opinions, products, and experiences that will matter most to them.

Robb Report: Luxury Without Compromise.

Hashtags: #RobbReportHongKong

About Robb Report Hong Kong

Robb Report Hong Kong is part of Nexus Media Group, a company celebrating its tenth year in Hong Kong. The bold title joins a roster of expert curated content creation platforms and media titles that includes Nexus Media, Localiiz, WeeGo, MyLocals, and Nexus Digital.

Media Contact(s)

P. Ramakrishnan

Senior Editor

Rama.Pokkanai@nexusmediaasia.com

A new Menswear title to join the roster in 2021: Does Hong Kong need yet another's men's fashion magazine?

Does Hong Kong need yet another's men's fashion magazine? 

7.5 million population, unpicked titles galore on newsstands, finite advertising placements, spiraling ad revenue for print media... 

Had a chat with a publishing house regarding the launch of a glossy, bold faced type coming to the city. I had more questions than answers...  And I think they were left a bit perplexed too. 

In an oversaturated media market where monthlies are unquestionably suffering in the pandemic (pre pandemic in fact, but we just don't talk about the protests anymore), to launch a hyped title in a market exhausted with unearned hyperbola, it seems like hubris in the making. 

Men's magazines are a notoriously difficult ballgame altogether. So many titles have cropped up and culled over the past two decades. Names you've heard of, a fleeting image that'll seem familiar in the memory bank but all circled the drain within a short period of time. 

And some of them were great magazines; Power, published by Burda Inc was a thick book with fine writing and fantastic scoops - the first cover was Barack Obama no less. Gone within a year. WestEast Men had the most striking visuals - special editions were collected by photographers, art editors around the globe. Some of the art direction and large scale images were so popular they were copied by monoymous brands for campaigns (and called out!). It has also gone with the wind. Men's Folio has a presence around the region (Men's Folio Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam) but not in Hong Kong, WestEast and its umbrella of titles shifted to Taiwan. GQ China does well across the border, but doesn't seem to have the same stature or following in the 852... 

So what's happening in Hong Kong men's media? Hard to gage the popularity of Men's Uno, Men's Folio, MRRMHK, Elle Men, Esquire HK and that ilk. An unlikely, well, an unlikable metric would be looking at an (unreliable) barometer, social media followers; 

Esquire HK  61.3k 

https://www.instagram.com/esquirehk/?hl=en

Elle Men HK 36.2

https://www.instagram.com/ellemenhk/?hl=en

MRRMHK 23.9k 

https://www.instagram.com/mrrmhk/?hl=en

Mens Uno HK 19.7

https://www.instagram.com/mensunohk/?hl=en

Hot off the press is of course Vogue Man Hong Kong. launched with limited socially distanced and responsible fanfare. April 2021, it hit newsstands with the cover caption: Today is Tomorrow.

OK then. 

The arrival of new editions shakes up the old guard as they are forced to look in the mirror and shape up. Men's divisions in all titles find renewed interest so the newcomer doesn't inhale the small fraction of advertising budget that is devoted to menswear and accessories. 

During the glory days of publishing, Richard Buckley led Vogue Hommes International, as the experienced  journalist and editor in chief oversaw the finest photoshoots and sharpest editorials (while being married to Tom Ford no less). On 30 October 2008, that title folded despite a cult following, fanfare and budgets contemporary editors would genuflect for. 

Today, all Hong Kong glossies have replaced doors with turnstiles; the exodus (by choice or by push) is alarming. If you're on the Telum media list, its a constant change of guard when it comes to editors and editor-in-chiefs. The higher you climb the totem pole, the swifter the axe falls. 

On condition of anonymity, an experienced former editor says, "Previously there was a separation of church and state; editorial and advertising. Now both are in bed together, desperately trying to make it work. Men's titles are a rarity simply because brands don't advertise.  When you are deeply beholden to watches and cars for ad revenue, you're forced to write 100 pages of PR spiel to break even. No I don't think its great timing to launch new titles in these times."

The aforementioned Hong Kong titles listed seem to do be doing well though, having survived over three years in the industry - they've all gone over the proverbial hump; first year to make a name, second year to break even and third year to see profit?

"Sure but these are uncertain times and having seen the cyclical nature of the industry, we are still in the thick of the pandemic and still in the slump," she says while shaking her head. "In the rush to get over the strains of covid, the powers that be seem to forget... we're not over it yet."

Print matters: What influences luxury purchases in Hong Kong; magazine ads and editorial!

Click to enlarge

Preach.

Jing Zhang & Rama

Have had to BITE my lip after a comment yesterday - and the muzzle lasted for all of 27 hours. A record for me. Jing and I (pictured, in a rather nautical uniform of sorts) were at an event where a rather ambitious PR rep had to resort to the most incredulous hyperbola while introducing us to a designer, "This is Jing and Rama, the two most influential fashion writers in Hong Kong."

Now, Jing, I'll concur to. After a fleeting dalliance with Kee magazine, her reign over West East (once the most notable award-winning fashion rag in the 852 that's... well, I don't know what's happening with that magazine now), Zhang is the fashion editor at South China Morning Post. As guardian of good taste and all things concerning brands, luxury and fashion in SCMP, sure, her voice, her words matter. In the grand scheme of things, the resurrection of the style quota in Style magazine, I'll grudgingly assign to Jingerz. Despite her criminal dress sense, she's got great taste in what goes into the publications she eyes over (Post mag, Style and so on).

I on the other hand...

I do a weekly column under the aegis of the house of Zhang, among other publications. I have about as much influence as the tea-lady at the office. In fact, she probably has more influence as I can be replaced with a monkey on crack, but the tea lady, well, she knows where the things are. Tea, water, kettle. Typing away on bits and bobs trying to make rent, running on a prayer and caffeine, the only influence I've had... came from a questionable bottle.

Lovvvaduck, Hong Kong, cracks me up.

PS: Is it wrong to be secretly pleased by the remark, despite the fiction involved?