After an extensive market and strategy analysis assessing the long-term opportunities, Ringier Asia announced at the end of 2017 to concentrate its expansion on Myanmar and Vietnam with the potential to further grow in the wider region in the mid-term. After the subsequent exit from China, both current countries are markets where Ringier Asia is already successfully established and positioned with a well-digitized portfolio. They are key for Ringier Asia with a clear focus on expansion plans in publishing, directories and classifieds, aligned with Ringier’s core expertise and global strategy.
The General Manager of Ringier Asia, Florent de Rocca-Serra, has successfully driven this strategic reassessment of the Asian operations. While having this important mission accomplished, he will step back from his role by the end of the year, in accordance with his plans to pursue new opportunities. Florent de Rocca-Serra is leaving the company on his own request.
«The Board of Directors is very grateful to Florent. His work has made a substantial and lasting contribution to the successful implementation of Ringier’s Asia strategy. He has shaped Ringier Asia over the past three years to a well digitized media company», said Robin Lingg, Chairman of the Supervisory Board Ringier Asia.
For personal reasons, the Managing Director of Ringier Vietnam, Dale Nottingham, will leave his position in Q4 2018. Robin Lingg: «Dale has made a significant contribution over the past three-and-a-half years to the development of our digital publishing assets in Vietnam. Since 2015 he has held the position of Managing Director Ringier Vietnam. We fully respect Dale’s decision to seek new challenges outside Ringier. We wish Dale and Florent the best for their professional and private future».
The Board of Directors of Ringier Asia has appointed in accordance with the new regional focus, Benjamin Gajkowski as the new Head of Asia and General Manager of Ringier Vietnam. He will report directly to Robin Lingg, the Chairman of the Board of Ringier Asia and responsible for the Ringier Group’s International Marketplace activities and to Ralph Büchi, COO Ringier AG, for the Publishing Businesses.
Benjamin Gajkowski will take up his new position latest on November 1, 2018. The 37-year-old studied History and Politics and graduated from Axel-Springer-Academy, one of the leading institutions for journalistic training in Germany. He attended the INSEAD management acceleration program and holds an executive MBA degree from INSEAD. He is a media executive with more than ten years of industry experience – ranging from sales and marketing, digital product development to working as a journalist for major news companies. He knows first-hand what it means to strategically develop and successfully manage digital and media products in a complex, global, digital context.
«I am very happy that with Benjamin Gajkowski we are gaining a proven expert who will actively promote and shape the development of our businesses in Asia. Benjamin’s expertise and years of experience will provide us with additional momentum to further expand our businesses and position ourselves even more successfully on the markets. Building on his background, he will work with the successful local Ringier management team to further strengthen Ringier’s footprint in digital publishing and marketplaces in Asia» said Robin Lingg.
Before joining Ringier, Benjamin Gajkowski was Vice President Mediacorp Pte Ltd, Singapore’s largest media company. He previously spent seven years in various management positions at Axel Springer SE in Germany, one of the largest digital publishing houses in Europe. His previous experience also includes working as an editor for the VIEW Magazine at Gruner & Jahr AG & Co KG, one of the largest European printing and publishing companies, active worldwide.
Robin Lingg: «Benjamin Gajkowski has an impressive track record from various digital publishing and content commerce companies. I am convinced that in particular the Marry Network in Vietnam and Myanmar will benefit from his wealth of experience. Benjamin impressed the Board of Directors with his personality, drive and leadership qualities. He knows what it means to strategically develop a successful portfolio in a fast changing environment. Building on his complementary background, together with the well-rehearsed management team of Ringier Asia and Ringier Vietnam, he will provide additional impulses».
Ringier AG, Corporate Communications