Bangkok--16 Dec--PREVIEW CONSULTANT
Workpoint Publishing Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of Workpoint Entertainment Plc, is expanding its production line by opening new publishing house entitled KimChic to publish printing medias, pocket books, comic, magazines covering Korean entertainment business. Its aim is to achieve 50 per cent growth rate with total sales of 120 million baht by the end of next year.
Ms Lawan Ngawbenjakun, managing director of Workpoint Publishing Co Ltd said that her company started to restructure in 2010 with focus on product segmentation strategy to clearly categorise each products into segments such as We’re Smart Kids produces Ben 10 comic books. The latest movement is the opening of new publishing house called KimChic with aim to produce copyrights books and products from Korea. It is expected that the readers will give it a warm welcome as ever.
“The word KimChic is the combination of two words: Kimchi which symbolizes Korea and Chic that means cool. When combined, KimChic means cool in Korean style. Targeted customers are divided into three groups; firstly, fans of Korean superstars, singers, actors and actresses. To respond to this group, the company has imported Korean’s most popular entertainment magazine called ASTA TV. Second group is for teenagers who love Korean series; comic books that were made into feature films, the company therefore imported the fortnightly comic-magazine “Wink” which was made into many hit series such as Coffee Prince. Product for the third group is pocket books for fans of hit series. These three imported items are top hit media in Korea with millions of readers across the nation. Moreover, there are Korean superstar souvenirs and gifts for collectors. The items are available in Thailand, Korea and Japan,” Ms Lawan said.
Thanks to the booming of K-Pop industry, many entrepreneurs imported media and products to sell in Thailand. Some are legal and some illegal. But Workpoint Publishing has officially bought copyright products from the parent company in Korea such as Soul International Media producer of ASTA TV and Seoul Media Group the producer of WINK.
About distribution channels, KimChic has joined hands with 7- Eleven and appointed the convenient store as the sole distributor of ASTA TV magazine. For fortnightly comic magazine ‘WINK’, the company is in the process of consideration of distributor. Both items are scheduled to enter the market in 2012 while pocket books will be distributed by Se-ed Book Center.
Ms Lawan continued by explaining about marketing plan, she said the company plans to promote its products throughout the year starting with An Yong Festival featuring the Meet and Greet with Korean superstars. The event is scheduled to kickoff in the first quarter of 2012. There will be many activities including photo taking, shopping, at the Korean environment at the event. Visitors can buy Korean products without flying to the country which help save money. In addition, there will be coupon collection competition by ASTA TV where the lucky winner will have a chance to win a trip to Korea and enjoy M Countdown Concert throughout the year for free. And the most spectacular event is the singing contest in search of new rising star to show on the same stage with pop star Nishkhun. It is the activity that the company fully supports in order to make new rising star to go shining aboard, rather than becoming famous only in Thailand.
“We have seen our growth rising to 100% for two consecutive years. This year we want to grow steadily and sustainable as we expect our growth rate at 50% with total sales of 120 million baht, of which, the addition revenue will come from KimChic and other event,” Ms. Lawan concluded.