28 March 2007 - ICON, a Chinese monthly luxury lifestyle magazine, published by SPH Magazines Pte Ltd, is a popular read among the Chinese elite in Singapore. Over the last two years, ICON saw significant advertisement growth.

As the magazine celebrates its 2nd Anniversary on 29 March 2007 with the "ICON Opera Ball, its ardent supporters such as the well-heeled and elite readers, business partners and advertisers will be invited to join in the party. To be held at the swanky Fullerton Hotel, the event has already been dubbed the "Ball of the Year" in their social circle.

Published for the discerning bilingual elite who look for the best in life, ICON presents a style guide and an exciting read for the rich and famous. It features international and local celebrities, exclusive social events, glamorous fashion and beauty news, profiles of successful people and the who’s who in high society, as well as travel, entertainment and the arts news.

Singapore, as an international business hub, is mindful of the growing importance of the Chinese language in the economic development in Asia, led by Greater China. The society is witnessing an increasing number of rich and famous people who are not only proficient in English but equally adept at the Chinese language. They also appreciate the finer things in life and a luxurious lifestyle, such as high fashion and top-quality goods and services - which is what ICON is all about. Hence, many of them are now making this magazine a must read.

SPH Magazines saw the potential for a Chinese luxury lifestyle magazine thriving in an English-centric society like Singapore despite some scepticism in the market, the success of ICON has now been proven. The magazine managed to achieve a significant advertisement growth of almost double since its launch in 2005.

As a result of strong encouragement and support by its readers and advertisers, ICON was able to launch a spin-off, “ICON MOMENTS”, an annual Chinese luxury watch and fine jewellery magazine for the bilingual elite in Singapore as well as Malaysia in October 2006.

Pleased with the enthusiastic response, Elsie Yah, Managing Editor of ICON, says: “I am very happy that our baby has grown so strongly and healthily. Our editorial and sales teams have put in a lot of efforts to develop and establish this magazine in our market of elite readers and advertisers of prestigious brands. ICON´s success marks our strength in the publication industry and attests to the trust that our supporters have in us. We will definitely continue to present more relevant content and stunning design to make it a more rewarding read for our readers."

On the achievements of ICON, Mr Loh Yew Seng, CEO of SPH Magazines Pte Ltd, says, “The challenge to maintain SPH Magazines´ share in the media market, and to maintain its reputation as an industry leader is enormous. A magazine is not great if it has not touched lives. We have to constantly reflect who our readers are, their views and desires, connect with their lives and earn their trust. I am very glad that ICON has achieved all these things as shown by the strong support from our readers and advertisers. Well done, ICON team for your hard work and creativity!"

To celebrate ICON´s second successful year, SPH Magazines is pleased to invite its high society readers, business partners and advertisers to the “ICON Opera Ball” at the Fullerton Hotel Ballroom on 29 March 2007at 7.30pm. About 300 guests will experience a night of unparalleled glamour and style and enjoy ballroom dancing and opera highlights performed by the Singapore Lyric Opera. In addition, a panel of judges who will include ICON’s editor Ms Elsie Yah, will be on the look out for the Best Dressed Guests and the results will be announced during the evening.

Supporting the event are our partners Moet and Chandon, which will offer celebratory champagne for the event, and Burberry which will be giving its fragrances as door gifts.

Issued by SPH Magazines Pte Ltd
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MEDIA CONTACT
Pearly Mak
Assistant Manager
Corporate Communications
SPH Magazines Pte Ltd
DID: 6319 2336
Mobile: 9765 6704
Email: pearlym@sph.com.sg


About SPH Magazines Pte Ltd
A leading publisher in Singapore and the region, SPH Magazines Pte Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of media giant Singapore Press Holdings Limited.

With a proven track record for sterling editorial content & award-winning designs, SPH Magazines raises the bar as a dynamic magazine publisher. In its stable are over 90 titles in English and Chinese, covering lifestyle, fashion, beauty, society, bridal, health, men´s lifestyle, movies, automobile, parenting, decor, new media and business. All the newsstand publications, including flagship title Her World, and other well-known titles such as Female, The Peak, Home and Decor, Nuyou, Torque, HWM and GameAxis are among the highest-circulating titles and best-read in their respective lifestyle category.

In addition, an established editorial unit provides excellent custom publishing services to major corporate clients by producing custom lifestyle magazines, newsletters and other collateral to meet their business needs.

With a vision to continue growth regionally, SPH Magazines is set to become Asia´s publishing powerhouse. It has editorial offices in China, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Magazines in its fold have achieved strong market presence in their respective sectors, as well as distinguished track records and solid reputations.

At SPH Magazines, the promise is to deliver its best to meet the diverse needs and interests of readers and advertisers.


About ICON
When Luxury is Everything. ICON is Singapore´s first and only Chinese luxury lifestyle magazine.

A style guide for the rich and famous, and a long-awaited voice for Singapore´s bilingual elite, ICON features an irresistible mix of international and local social events, glamorous fashion and beauty highlights, lifestyles of the rich and famous, essential reads, and much more. Besides a newsstand presence, ICON is strategically distributed to effectively reach its target market.


About ICON Moments
ICON Moments is an annual Chinese Luxury Watch and Jewellery magazine targeted at the bilingual elite in Singapore and Malaysia.

ICON Moments is a brand expression of ICON, the leading luxury fashion, beauty lifestyle magazine that epitomises style, influence and prestige in Singapore and beyond.