Time Out HK’s launch date is nearly upon us and it seems the new editor is running out of ideas. He has convened a “focus group” where lucky participants get to contribute ideas to the new magazine. In Hollywood focus groups usually result in half-baked plots and watered down movies. In the world of publishing, a strong editor is vital, and one who is relying on focus groups before the magazine is even launched is not a good sign. 

The Time Out magazine brand finally comes to Hong Kong, with some speculating about an April launch. Whenever it launches, Time Out faces an uphill battle. Time Out has prospered in its foreign locations when there has been a lack of local English-language media to fill the critical/cultural void. While HK magazine may not be perfect, it is established and has improved in recent months.Distribution will be key – TO HK’s distribution model will be different to that of its competitors and that could shift the balance in its favour. Asia City (HK magazine publishers) are in a bit of a flux right now with the departure of their editorial director and with a dearth of quality writers, it remains to be seen if they can compete. While it does come up with decent editorial ideas, the execution is usually poor and with a reluctance to pay freelancers, decent contributions are non-existent. That said, TO HK might not succeed – the fact that many larger publishing companies in HK had no interest in bringing out TO HK says it all. With approximately 8% of Rubicon’s advertising going back to TO London, Rubicon needs get working on brand recognition and distribution if they are going to survive.  

The SCMP yesterday published an Op-Ed imploring “the community” to move on from the “celebrity photos scandal”. Sensible words and indeed the whole Edison Chen situation has got extremely boring. And as the SCMP stated, it’s time for everyone to move on. Today’s SCMP we could infer from Friday’s Op-Ed would be Chen-free. Alas no; it seems the paper ignored its own advice as half the front page of today’s City section was devoted to the story with three separate pieces about it. Is this “moving on” or are the SCMP pretending to take the high ground while really being as fascinated by the whole grubby spectacle as everyone else? The SCMP also seems to require its ‘news reporters’ to do no more than scour websites for quotes. Rather bizarre that anonymous posters such as Pinkchocolate are quoted in a news story, even more bizarre that said story took TWO reporters to file. Martin Wong and Vivienne Chow must have worked well into the night to file that. And while I am on a SCMP-bashing roll, will they please hire a decent Op-Ed sub-editor.  

This is a blog about the media in HK – analysis, opinion, insider tidbits – it will all be here. Feel free to add comments, suggestions or feedback….