Malaysia's Star Media Group appoints Layout International as technology partner

Star Media Group, owner of The Star, Malaysia's leading English daily, will partner with Layout International, an enterprise solution provider, to optimize its newspaper production cycle and at the same time accelerate the company's transformation into multi-platform publishing and digital first news publishing.

The total solution consists of the NewsPublish Multi Channel Publishing System and the A7pro Digital Archiving System, bringing Layout International's expertise and industry-specific experience to The Star. Turnaround time and efficiency of The Star's automated production cycle will improve for print, digital, online, mobile and social media platforms. Layout International will also further develop the existing online sites, adding new features and streamlining content.

Kang Yew Jin, Star Media Group's group chief technology officer, explains: "The implementation of the NewsPublish systems is a core building block of the Group's transformation. It will replace a number of older systems that we have, streamline technology architecture and be fundamental in improving efficiencies as we ensure that content written once can be published and applied across our Group.

"Mobile and digital first is today's reality and critical to a publisher's sustained survival and growth. It is key to the Group's transformation strategy and as such, finding a competent partner is also equally as important. We believe this partnership with Layout International will enable us to achieve our business goals quickly and concisely, with tangible results that will benefit our consumers", said Roy Tan, Group Chief Operating Officer of the Star Media Group.

Jean-Michel Habis, CEO at Layout International, says: "Our purpose is to help clients define their specific needs and implement the right solutions accordingly."

He adds: "As part of Layout International's expansion plan in Asia, a support centre is being established in South East Asia to enable dedicated and timely support to publishers in the region, in line with our vision to offer a consistent and dependable service to our clients".