With its entry into Mandarin-speaking Taiwan, Wired will expand into its sixth market since it began as an American monthly magazine in 1993. Wired was launched as magazine and website in Britain and Italy in 2009, and began semi-annual publication in Japan in 2011. The first edition of German Wired also appeared last October.
Jonathan Newhouse commented: “Wired has become the magazine and digital reference of the new media age. Taiwan is a vibrant, technologically advanced market where consumers have a hunger for all things digital and Wired can make a huge impact.”
Condé Nast International is moving beyond print in international markets by animating the brand through websites, digital editions on tablets, smartphone products and events. Wired sells a large proportion of copies in Italy, Britain, Japan and Germany in digital replica form on tablets like the iPad. A Wired conference held in London last October attracted more than 300 industry digital industry participants.
Sophia Liao, President of Condé Nast Taiwan, said: “Launching online will connect with the region’s significant digital community, in addition to a wider Chinese speaking Wired audience globally. Recognised as a digitally progressive publishing company, Condé Nast Taiwan is proud to be included in the agenda-setting Wired portfolio.”
Tai Chi Chuan (pictured) has been appointed Editor in Chief of Wired Taiwan. An outstanding talent, Tai was Founder of the award-winning tech start-up Richi Inc and Co-Founder of Tech Orange. Wired Taiwan will also publish tailored content for mobile phones, and will be supported by regular on and offline events. There will also be two standalone print issues of Wired Taiwan in September and December 2012.
