PubliGroupe shutters Emphasis Media Hong Kong

PubliGroupe will close its custom publishing business in Hong Kong with CEO Monica Woo and managing director Scott Thoreau to depart by the year's end.As part of a wide-ranging restructure of the listed Swiss company PubliGroupe, Emphasis Custom Publishing, consisting of Hong Kong-based Emphasis and the Swiss Denon group, will cease to exist.Up to 20 people are expected to be retrenched under the changes including Hong Kong's senior management. However staff from Hong Kong will be transferred to Emphasis Media Singapore.Monica Woo, who has been with the company for 25 years, served a dual role of Hong Kong CEO and head of PubliGroupe's custom publishing business.Woo confirmed the news to Marketing and said it will resign one custom publishing contract CNN Traveller from March next year.A company statement said some activities of its custom unit are being integrated into Media Sales, while others will report directly to PubliGroupe's General Management.From next year PubliGroupe said it will simplify its group structure and focus on three "high-potential strategic business segments" Search & Find, Digital & Marketing Services and Media Sales.In Hong Kong that will include Emphasis Video Entertainment, an in-flight entertainment provider. Under the new structure Emphasis Video Entertainment will report directly to the PubliGroupe's General Management.The remaining Emphasis offices in Asia will be put under the leadership of Charlton D'Silva, chief executive officer of Publicitas Asia Pacific, who will operate out of its Singapore office.Joui Ong, will be promoted to general manager of Singapore from her present role as country head.