# ITP Media Group secures major acquisition of APAC's Heart Media Group sparking international expansion across Asia

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/itp-media-group-secures-major-acquisition-of-apacs-heart-media-group-sparking-international-expansion-across-asia
- Published: 2026-09-03T13:00:00+07:00
- Author: PR Newswire

_The landmark deal in the 40-year history of the Middle East-headquartered business
establishes one of the world’s leading independently-owned media groups – with the
company eyeing further international growth._

DUBAI, UAE, SINGAPORE and KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia , Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 
ITP Media Group, one of the largest media companies in the Middle East, today announced
the acquisition of Singapore-headquartered Heart Media Group, a leading luxury and
lifestyle media house. The combined business will now operate in markets home to
more than 2 billion people, connecting brands with affluent consumers across the
GCC, India and Asia-Pacific.

 [⌊Ali Akawi, CEO - ITP Media Group⌉](https://mmx.prnasia.com/media/MS1980753/HEADSHOT-ALI-AKAWI-CEO-ITP-Media-Group.jpg?id=OA2927118&p=medium600)

Ali Akawi, CEO – ITP Media Group

Adding Heart Media’s operations, ITP Media expands to three new international markets:
Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. Heart Media brands and teams will operate under
the ITP Media name, with integration phased to protect editorial identity, client
relationships and trust of audiences. It builds on ITP Media’s existing operations
in India, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK, USA and Qatar.

South East Asia represents one of the fastest-growing markets for the media and 
entertainment industry, expanding at 6% per year with some markets up to 8.4% (_PwC
Global E&M Outlook_). ITP Media’s investment aligns with growing demand amongst 
wealthy audiences in these regions, increasingly looking for media and luxury brands
that serve their interests. Hong Kong has overtaken Switzerland as the top hub for
cross-border wealth (_BCG Global Wealth Report_), while there are more than 4,000
single-family offices across Hong Kong and Singapore, quadrupling over the past 
five years. Malaysia is anticipated to see a 20% climb in ultra-high-net-worth individuals
over the next five years (_Knight Frank). _

Heart Media’s publications – including ELLE, Esquire, Grazia, LUXUO, Men’s Folio,
NOBLE, WOW (World of Watches) and Yacht Style – cater to these affluent audiences,
providing ITP Media with access to new customers.

The group has earmarked investment to support the acquisition, including bolstering
existing teams, supporting local economies and creating job opportunities across
editorial, digital, design and live events.

These teams will roll-out cross-border digital media, events, gaming tournaments,
brand activations and live sporting experiences. Through the group, luxury brands
will access a streamlined cross-border platform, enabling advertising and sponsorship
opportunities that connect with high-net-worth audiences across multiple markets.

**ITP Media Group CEO, Ali Akawi, said:** _"At its core, ITP Media Group has always
been about creating powerful content that connects people. As we look forward, our
roadmap is focused on massive global scale. We are committed to a multi-year strategy
of expansion and targeted acquisitions to build a media ecosystem capable of reaching
billions worldwide. The acquisition of Heart Media Group strengthens our foundation
as we scale our platforms, embrace new media technologies and bring world-class 
storytelling to a truly global audience." _

Olivier Burlot has propelled Heart Media Group through annual growth across Asia
and will now join the ITP Media Group board. As part of a phased equity transition,
he will continue to provide strategic licensing direction of owned and operated 
products.

**Heart Media Group CEO, Olivier Burlot, added: **_"When we built Heart Media, the
ambition was always to give Asia’s luxury and lifestyle audiences media truly worthy
of them. 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. I am proud of what our teams across Asia have built and genuinely
excited by what they can now __do __with ITP’s reach behind them."_

Wilson Lim will continue as Managing Director of ITP Media (Singapore) & ITP Media(
Malaysia) with support from current operational, sales and editorial teams, overseeing
executive and management duties across the Singapore and Malaysia offices.

ITP’s latest acquisition follows the announcement of a 10-year agreement with Time
Out to operate Time Out Hong Kong and Time Out Singapore.

Since 1987, ITP Media has grown from a single B2B brand with five staff, to a multinational
business with offices across Asia, Europe, Middle East and North America, serving
monthly audiences of over 200 million people. With this acquisition, ITP Media now
has physical presence in 10 countries with a portfolio of 90 brands.

[_itp.com_](https://www.itp.com/)

**Media contact: Jonathan Ivan-Duke
duke+mir[jon@dukemir.com](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/jon@dukemir.com)
+971582857333

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