Our Team – Globe Media Asia

Senior Business Development Executive
Chia Chi Hsu

Business Development Manager
Daniel Marchette

Business Development Executive
Oudom Rath Pen (Nel)

Administration and Accounting Manager
Soklay Chry

Managing Editor

Amanda Kaufmann

Amanda Kaufmann joined Globe Media Asia as Managing Editor in spring of 2018. Most recently a managing editor at an educational publishing company in New York, Amanda’s journalism background is extensive, from newspaper to public radio to magazines. The passion for learning that led her into journalism is the same that brought Amanda to Globe. “I feel very fortunate to be part of a team that is so knowledgeable, tenacious, and engaging,” she said. “Everyone is dedicated to putting forth a very high-quality magazine, and their enthusiasm is infectious. In this environment, my curiosity is satisfied and yet still grows.” In her free time, Amanda loves to design clothes and to explore the world near and far.

Senior Business Development Executive

Chia Chi Hsu

Chia Chi Hsu joined Globe Media Asia as a Senior Business Development Executive after moving from Taiwan in early 2018. As a former marketing specialist in one of the leading Taiwanese tech news companies, Chia Chi specialises in finding out what clients need and organising customised marketing campaigns. She joined the Globe Media Asia team to help more Chinese-speaking companies understand the market and grow their business in the region. “You can see huge potential everywhere and I can’t wait to become a part of it.” Outside of the office, Chia Chi enjoys reading books of many varieties and swimming until she’s exhausted.

Business Development Manager

Daniel Marchette

Daniel Marchette joined Globe Media Asia in 2017 to head up its Business Development department. Originally from California, he came to Cambodia in 2015 for what he thought would be a short trip with some old friends. Three years later, he still can’t bring himself to leave. For Daniel, working at GMA has allowed him to build strong relationships with the country’s relatively small but thriving business community. “Being able to bring a high quality of journalism to the market is important,” he said. “There’s a lot of premium brands that have nowhere to be seen, but we can offer that as a premium publication.” When he’s taking a break from making deals, he enjoys spending time and visiting the countryside with his family.

Business Manager

Eak Muy (Yimei) Chea

Yimei Chea, our Cambodian business manager, has been with Globe Media Asia since its launch in 2007. Yimei currently has the celebrated recognition of being the longest-serving staff member at GMA. In first joining the company, she remembers, “I was fascinated with working in an international media company in Cambodia. The country was very different then, and it was a rare opportunity to work in an English-speaking environment.” Yimei enjoys interacting with a multinational team, as well as with clients and brands from around the world. Outside of work, she dedicates her free time to her two kids and her family, and also loves to cook and try out new foods.

Business Reporter

Janelle Retka

Janelle Retka joined Southeast Asia Globe at the beginning of 2018, having previously worked at the Cambodia Daily newspaper. As a journalist, she’s reported on topics from housing rights to education to women in politics, with her articles appearing in national, regional and international publications – one of her most recent in New Naratif. Janelle came to Southeast Asia Globe with a keen interest in working on more long-form pieces and investigations, digging into the issues on a deeper level. “There are so many opportunities for this in the business sector and I can’t wait to explore this beat – I love that with journalism, I’m constantly learning new things, discovering new interests and sharing the humanising stories of everyday people.” Outside of the office, Janelle has begun to nurture her hobby of illustrating in a journalistic way, pairing the artwork alongside articles in lieu of photography. Her art has already been published around the region, even as far away as the US!

Marketing Manager

Jessica Scalzo

Jessica Scalzo joined the Globe Media Asia team in 2016 as marketing manager, taking charge of the company’s overall brand image. She comes from a diverse background in policy advocacy and campaigning, as well as in innovation and design-centred thinking. After moving to Cambodia in 2015 to work as a consultant for social innovation agency 17 Triggers, Jessica found her fit at Globe Media Asia, helping the company connect with its readers and promote its publications. “I’m attracted to companies that value good design and high quality content,” she says. “It is a great culture of people who share the same goal of creating the best content in the region.” Outside of the office, she enjoys traveling around the Cambodian countryside and is active in Phnom Penh’s theatre scene, having acted with the Phnom Penh Players since 2015.

Administrative Assistant

Lanin Bun

Lanin Bun joined the Globe Media Asia in 2017 as the administrative assistant. She has worked in a broad range of companies before finding her place with us. “I love my position as an admin, because it is my skill, and I can improve my English language ability with my foreign colleagues. I am also able to be updated on the country’s news when each magazine issue comes out.” In her spare time, Lanin likes to follow new websites breaking onto the young Khmer scene and discovering catchy new tunes.

Digital Manager

Lesly Lotha

Lesly Lotha, Digital Manager. Lesly joined us in 2018 to oversee our digital strategy. She moved to Cambodia in 2017 to work with a local Cambodian NGO as a communications and multimedia manager. With a background in communications, she went on to work with the International Federation of Journalists Asia-Pacific and the Walkley Foundation in Sydney, Australia before moving back to India and working as a digital media consultant. Photography forms a large part of her life both in and out of work while Twitter has been established as her second home.

Distributor

Makara Phan

Makara Phan joined Globe Media Asia in 2017 as the distributor. Prior to his position here, Makara worked at Art Express for three years. He enjoys his role as distributor because “I love the freedom with traveling outdoors when delivering [publications].” In his spare time, he plays football and goes out to his favorite restaurants and food trucks with friends.

Designer

Navet Tab

Navet Tab is an integral member of Globe Media Asia’s design team, having more than ten years of experience in the graphic design world. Originally from Battambang Province, Navet graduated from the National University of Management in 2007 with a degree in management, before returning to school to attain an associate degree in graphic design from the Battambang Institute of Technology. Within work, Navet’s passions include editing pictures, designing layouts and looking for innovative ways to make the company’s publications aesthetically pleasing. “I’m also happy when I can work on the magazine apps,” she says. When not designing Globe Media Asia’s magazines, Navet enjoys cooking and visiting Cambodia’s countryside with her family.

Business Development Executive

Oudom Rath Pen (Nel)

Oudom Rath Pen (Nel) came to join Globe Media Asia in 2018 as the newest business development executive. Previously, she worked as an executive assistant and as a marketing manager within the real estate industry, honing her skills in communications and negotiations. She eagerly took up her position at GMA looking to meet people from different backgrounds and to expand the company with new ideas. Nel looks forward to meeting decision makers from various sectors and growing her network in the business community, and thrives working in environments with “people from different cultures to get new inspiration and ideas.” A committed foodie, she’s always on the hunt for a new dining & drinking experience, but on weekends, you’ll likely find her curled up with a good book and hot coffee.

Web Master

Poeudore Sophan

Dore Sophan initially joined Globe Media Asia as a freelance web designer, and we were so impressed with his skills, we hired him on as permanent staff. A native of Phnom Penh, Dore has over a decade of experience in web design for companies in the city. He is passionate about discovering new tech, and enjoys the challenges of advancing the digital scope of GMA’s publications. While he understands more about technology than anyone else here, he actually prefers leading “the simple life.” Football, meeting friends and grabbing a cold beer are what make him happy.

Features Editor

Paul Millar

Paul Millar joined Globe Media Asia as a reporter after moving to Phnom Penh from Australia in early 2016. A former journalist and subeditor at Australian online daily Crikey, Paul’s writing has appeared in Issimo, Fah Thai, Farrago, Catalyst, Voiceworks and ABC Online. A passionate arts, culture and current affairs writer, Paul came to Globe Media Asia for the chance to write about anything from Messianic millionaire preachers to post-Vietnam War poets. “There are so many incredible stories to tell here,” Paul says. “Being able to dig beneath the surface of those stories, to make them come alive on the page, is what makes long-form journalism so rewarding.” Outside of work, Paul loves to read, watch movies and ignore cups of tea until they get cold.

Administration and Accounting Manager

Soklay Chry

Soklay Chry joined Globe Media Asia in 2009 as an assistant accountant and moved his way up to administration and accounting manager in 2016. Sok Lay particularly enjoys the creative work environment at Globe Media Asia, and is proud to be involved in each issue of Southeast Asia Globe. Outside of work, he spends his time exercising, cooking, making crafts and exploring Phnom Penh.

Publisher

Tassilo Brinzer

Tassilo Brinzer had worked for a wide range of international media companies and publications before he co-founded Southeastern Globe Communications, the predecessor to Globe Media Asia, in 2006. His passion is photography and working with outstanding editors, journalists and photographers to bring stories to readers that are inspiring, thought-provoking or just “a great read”. Promoting reading in Cambodia has been at the heart of his engagement in the publishing industry, as he sees reading as the most important tool to broaden personal knowledge, understand different cultures and promote conscious social development. Tassilo has been at the helm of the ADW, the German Business Group in Cambodia since 2010 and is a founder of Eurocham Cambodia, of which he is vice-chairman today. During the launch of the European Asean Business Council (EABC), Tassilo was a key part of the team setting up the statutes for that organization. He is an avid pool player and regularly represents the Cambodian national expat team at regional tournaments.

Jr. Digital Editor

Thomas Brent

Initially joining the Globe Media Asia team as an editorial intern, Thomas Brent quickly moved up to become our jr. digital editor. His talent and eye for a good story has brought in new readers, and we are excited to have him on board. Previously, Thomas was assistant editor at Scottish music publication Tenement TV and writer for Budapest tourist magazine Funzine. He also has work published in AsiaLIFE, the List and Electric Banana. With a love for learning about different cultures and countries, Thomas looks forward to writing more about social issues, current affairs, politics and travel in Cambodia and the region. “The political scene in Southeast Asia boggles the mind. In this job, I find myself swimming through waves of fascinating stories and I get to meet and speak to so many truly fascinating people. We all have a story to tell.” When he’s not in the office, Thomas can be seen enjoying a good book, strumming his guitar and getting competitive in petanque.

Editor

Tom O’Connell

Tom O’Connell joined the Southeast Asia Globe team as editor in 2018 soon after moving to Asia from the United States. The longtime publishing professional has filled a variety of editorial roles for the likes of the Times of London, the New York Times Co., Fast Company, and dozens of other media outlets, and his work has appeared in Details, New York Press, British Esquire, and Entertainment Weekly. Back in his native country, Tom was a freelance writer and editor, and also moonlighted as a watchdog journalist covering drug policy and criminal justice reform. For the Globe, he enjoys covering these issues plus human rights and press freedom. When he’s not editing, Tom enjoys exploring his adopted city of Phnom Penh on foot, which he says is the best way to get to know a place.

Designer

Vathana Phon

Vathana Phon joined Globe Media Asia as a designer in 2014. Before then, he had worked in design at eFocus Printing and Advertising, City Life magazine, Mobile Phone Magazine and Avacas Asia. A dedicated employee with an eye for aesthetics, Vathana enjoys reading other design-focused magazines for inspiration. He is a diehard sports fan, with a particular interest in football and baseball (his favorite team is Chelsea).