Blank Canvas welcomes APB into its portfolio
Asia’s leading broadcast magazine, widely known as APB, has announced at BroadcastAsia 2019 that it will continue its next chapter as part of the Blank Canvas Publishing arm.
In welcoming APB (Asia-Pacific Broadcasting) into its portfolio, Richard Lawn, co-founder and director of Blank Canvas Publishing, UK, noted that the magazine has been serving the evolving APAC broadcast sector for more than three decades — and over two of the three are being led by its current publisher and editorial director, Andrew Yeo.
Lawn said: ‘I’ve known Andrew since 1997 shortly before he bought over the title from Miller Freeman. At that time, I was working for Miller Freeman. And our paths crossed again as our London-based operation was in the process of setting up Pro Sound News Asia to be printed in Singapore.
“Andrew, having set up a great team, has consistently delivered a highly valued regional B2B magazine in a dynamic marketplace. To say I have respected his achievements over the past two decades is an understatement.”
Blank Canvas Publishing, currently producing a range of pro audio, video and lighting titles including Pro AVL Asia (first launched at BroadcastAsia in 2002), Pro AVL MEAand Worship AVL, is ideally placed to absorb APB into its stable of well-respected trade magazines.
“When Andrew recently approached me to take on stewardship for the title, I was both shocked and honoured. Inheriting a market-leading title with a 36-year heritage demands the enormous respect it undoubtedly merits,” said Lawn.
Yeo revealed: “Editec International, the publisher of APB, has been tracking the performance of Blank Canvas Publishing for many years. While I enjoy journalism and the publishing of APB, the time has come for me to hand over the magazine to a younger experienced publisher … and to keep my promise to my dear wife who supported the company through thick and thin.
“I promised her that I will retire, or at least semi-retire, at age 65, then parlayed with her to 70, then 72 … and now I am 73!”
Yeo added: “In any alliance or acquisition, both parties must be on the same wavelength, have similar vision and mission and, equally important, synergies to be had.
“I do firmly believe that under Richard’s stewardship, APB will be able to move to the next level … and, in the world of Instagram, help APB to go digital, go social faster!”
With the recently expanded Pro AVL Digital team at Blank Canvas, now supplying high-quality multimedia content, plans are indeed afoot to extend both the print and digital reach of APB as a trusted source of information in the Asia-Pacific arena.
“The APB team is looking forward to be part of the Blank Canvas family,” said Yeo, adding that he would stay on as a consultant for a year or two to ensure APB’s heritage continues to flourish.
Lawn said: “The acquisition of this title demonstrates our commitment to charting a course in high-print media; however, visitors and viewers to our social media platforms, websites and video channels are also fully aware that Blank Canvas Publishing is pursuing its own path in digital media.
“Over time, the coming together of our talented and committed teams can only benefit the readers of Asia-Pacific Broadcasting, in addition to the wider broadcasting community in Asia and beyond.”
Carolyn Valliere, representing Blank Canvas on behalf of Richard Lawn, cementing the APB-AVL arrangement with Andrew Yeo, publisher of APB, with a smile and a handshake yesterday at the opening of BroadcastAsia 2019 at Suntec Singapore.
Watch more about the announcement here: https://f.io/IRx03cuI
