
Empires - An Asian Business Podcast
If you love Business Wars, you'll love this!
From 1UpMedia, Empires is an immersive storytelling that dives deep into the history of the most successful businesses in Asia.
Every Monday, you'll learn the history of its leaders, the decisions that have rippled across the industry, and the factors that allowed them to become the empire's that they are today.
From triumph and victories, to monumental failures - Empires gets you behind the scenes of some of the most successful companies in Asia.
Latest episodes

Nov 6, 2023 • 33min
Studio Ghibli | Sea of Decay (JP) | 3/5
Let us get to know you - 1 minute survey link
Studio Ghibli is an unmistakable animation powerhouse - initially dub the Pixar of Japan, its come to hold its own.
Not always regarded as an empire for its sales, it's true power lies in its influence. Often mentioned as a source of inspiration by John Lasseter, ex-CCO of Pixar, and filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, Studio Ghibli teamed up with A-listers like Liam Neeson and Cate Blanchett for iconic English dubs.
Recently, whispers of Studio Ghibli's future have intensified. While Hayao Miyazaki remains its iconic face, Isao Takahata's genius and Toshio Suzuki's leadership as producer and president were equally pivotal. With Takahata's 2018 passing and Miyazaki's impending exit, the hunt is on for the studio's next visionary leaders...
In EP 1: Be introduced to Isao Takahata, the mentor who discovered Hayao Miyazaki's brilliance.
In EP 2: Relive the pivotal call when Toshio Suzuki ignited the creation of "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind," the movie that birthed Studio Ghibli.
In EP 3: Journey with the legendary trio as they race against time to debut the studio's foundational film.
In EP 4: Chart Studio Ghibli's ascendancy, marked by production hell to create animation heaven.
In EP 5: Hear from industry insiders who shed light on Studio Ghibli's impact and significance in the region.
-
We're looking to grow our team! Help support our productions here :') Buy Me a Coffee
-
Want to discover more origins, rise & fall on Asian business empires? Follow us on our Tiktok where we share 5 minute breakdowns of some of the most interesting Asian businesses.
Want to meet the team? Follow me here!
-
If you love the style of Empires, and want similar content, check out:
📝💕 "Post, Love", Essays on Love, Life and Everything in Between. (On Spotify/ Apple)
🔪🩸 "Heinous", A Revive Look at the Most Heinous Crimes in Asia. (On Spotify/ Apple)

Oct 31, 2023 • 30min
Studio Ghibli | A Wizard's Call (JP) | 2/5
Let us get to know you - 1 minute survey link
Studio Ghibli is an unmistakable animation powerhouse - initially dub the Pixar of Japan, its come to hold its own.
Not always regarded as an empire for its sales, it's true power lies in its influence. Often mentioned as a source of inspiration by John Lasseter, ex-CCO of Pixar, and filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, Studio Ghibli teamed up with A-listers like Liam Neeson and Cate Blanchett for iconic English dubs.
Recently, whispers of Studio Ghibli's future have intensified. While Hayao Miyazaki remains its iconic face, Isao Takahata's genius and Toshio Suzuki's leadership as producer and president were equally pivotal. With Takahata's 2018 passing and Miyazaki's impending exit, the hunt is on for the studio's next visionary leaders...
In EP 1: Be introduced to Isao Takahata, the mentor who discovered Hayao Miyazaki's brilliance.
In EP 2: Relive the pivotal call when Toshio Suzuki ignited the creation of "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind," the movie that birthed Studio Ghibli.
In EP 3: Journey with the legendary trio as they race against time to debut the studio's foundational film.
In EP 4: Chart Studio Ghibli's ascendancy, marked by production hell to create animation heaven.
In EP 5: Hear from industry insiders who shed light on Studio Ghibli's impact and significance in the region.
-
We're looking to grow our team! Help support our productions here :') Buy Me a Coffee
-
Want to discover more origins, rise & fall on Asian business empires? Follow us on our Tiktok where we share 5 minute breakdowns of some of the most interesting Asian businesses.
Want to meet the team? Follow me here!
-
If you love the style of Empires, and want similar content, check out:
📝💕 "Post, Love", Essays on Love, Life and Everything in Between. (On Spotify/ Apple)
🔪🩸 "Heinous", A Revive Look at the Most Heinous Crimes in Asia. (On Spotify/ Apple)

Oct 31, 2023 • 34min
Studio Ghibli (JP) | Winds of Change | 1/5
Let us get to know you - 1 minute survey link
Studio Ghibli is an unmistakable animation powerhouse - initially dub the Pixar of Japan, its come to hold its own.
Not always regarded as an empire for its sales, it's true power lies in its influence. Often mentioned as a source of inspiration by John Lasseter, ex-CCO of Pixar, and filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, Studio Ghibli teamed up with A-listers like Liam Neeson and Cate Blanchett for iconic English dubs.
Recently, whispers of Studio Ghibli's future have intensified. While Hayao Miyazaki remains its iconic face, Isao Takahata's genius and Toshio Suzuki's leadership as producer and president were equally pivotal. With Takahata's 2018 passing and Miyazaki's impending exit, the hunt is on for the studio's next visionary leaders...
In EP 1: Be introduced to Isao Takahata, the mentor who discovered Hayao Miyazaki's brilliance.
In EP 2: Relive the pivotal call when Toshio Suzuki ignited the creation of "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind," the movie that birthed Studio Ghibli.
In EP 3: Journey with the legendary trio as they race against time to debut the studio's foundational film.
In EP 4: Chart Studio Ghibli's ascendancy, marked by production hell to create animation heaven.
In EP 5: Hear from industry insiders who shed light on Studio Ghibli's impact and significance in the region.
-
We're looking to grow our team! Help support our productions here :') Buy Me a Coffee
-
Want to discover more origins, rise & fall on Asian business empires? Follow us on our Tiktok where we share 5 minute breakdowns of some of the most interesting Asian businesses.
Want to meet the team? Follow me here!
-
If you love the style of Empires, and want similar content, check out:
📝💕 "Post, Love", Essays on Love, Life and Everything in Between. (On Spotify/ Apple)
🔪🩸 "Heinous", A Revive Look at the Most Heinous Crimes in Asia. (On Spotify/ Apple)

Oct 9, 2023 • 35min
Grab (MY/SG) | Uber vs Grab, Street Hails and Street Fight | 4/5
Anthony Tan, co-founder of Grab, and Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, discuss the intense rivalry between their companies in Southeast Asia. Tan reveals how Grab evolved from a basic taxi app to a super app, capturing a dominant 70% market share after Uber's exit. They explore key survival tactics in the ride-hailing wars, including grassroots initiatives that gave Grab an edge. The conversation shifts from fierce competition to collaboration, highlighting Uber's strategic decision to sell its operations in the region and reshape the ride-sharing landscape.

Oct 2, 2023 • 27min
Grab (MY/SG) | Running Till Empty | 3/5
Anthony Tan, co-founder of Grab, and COO Tan Hooi Ling discuss the meteoric rise of their company from a simple taxi app to a super app valued at nearly $40 billion. They share insights on their fierce competition with Uber, detailing pivotal meetings and investment decisions that fueled their growth. Tan Hooi Ling reflects on the challenges of scaling operations and re-strategizing during critical moments. The duo provides an inside look at the relentless hustle and personal sacrifices that shaped Grab's journey in Southeast Asia.

Sep 25, 2023 • 28min
Grab (MY/SG) | Up for Grabs | 2/5
In this engaging discussion, Anthony Tan, Co-founder and CEO of Grab, shares his inspiring journey from a young entrepreneur overcoming family hurdles to leading a multi-billion dollar super app. He reveals how Grab transitioned from a simple taxi app in Malaysia to dominating the ride-hailing market and achieving record-breaking valuations. Tan candidly discusses the fierce rivalry with Uber and how strategic investments paved the way for Grab’s unprecedented growth, emphasizing the company's significance in Southeast Asia's digital landscape.

Sep 18, 2023 • 26min
Grab (MY/SG) | Taking the Wheel | 1/5
Discover the experiences that shaped the founders of MyTeksi, which later became Grab. Join the team as they claw their way to the top and vie for driver attention. Witness the battle between Uber and Grab, and learn about the investments that transformed Grab into a behemoth. Hear from industry insiders on Grab's impact and significance in Southeast Asia.

Sep 4, 2023 • 38min
VNG (VN) | Kill the Messenger | 4
VNG, often referred to as the "Tencent of Vietnam," is one of Southeast Asia's pioneering unicorns.
Mirroring Tencent, a significant 70% of VNG's revenue comes from gaming. Among its array of products, VNG boasts Zing, Zalo, and Zalopay, which parallel QQ - a social app, WeChat - a messenger, and WePay - a mobile wallet respectively.
VNG's remarkable success in Vietnam is nothing but extraordinary, especially since it'll stand its ground against global powerhouses like Facebook, carving a distinctly local path forward for the land of the ascending dragon.
In Ep 1. Dive into Kingsoft's gamble on the young upstart Vinagames, the precursor to VNG.
In Ep 2. Trace the evolution of Vinagames into VNG, through the ZING division whose internet products will touch over a 100 million lives.
In Ep 3. Witness what happens when Facebook comes to town, and VNG's struggle in the battle for social media.
In Ep 4. Delve deeper as their business skirmishes becomes a full-blown war over messaging platforms, reshaping the roles of VNG and Facebook in Vietnam
In Ep 5. Hear from industry insiders as they shed light on VNG's significance in the region.
-
We're looking to grow our team! Help support our productions here :') Buy Me a Coffee
-
Want to discover more origins, rise & fall on Asian business empires? Follow us on our
Tiktok where we share 5 minute breakdowns of some of the most interesting Asian businesses.
Want to meet the team? Follow me here!
-
If you love the style of Empires, and want similar content, check out:
📝💕 "Post, Love", Essays on Love, Life and Everything in Between. (On Spotify/ Apple)
🔪🩸 "Heinous", A Revive Look at the Most Heinous Crimes in Asia. (On Spotify/ Apple)

Aug 28, 2023 • 32min
VNG (VN) | War of the Words | 3
VNG, often referred to as the "Tencent of Vietnam," is one of Southeast Asia's pioneering unicorns.
Mirroring Tencent, a significant 70% of VNG's revenue comes from gaming. Among its array of products, VNG boasts Zing, Zalo, and Zalopay, which parallel QQ - a social app, WeChat - a messenger, and WePay - a mobile wallet respectively.
VNG's remarkable success in Vietnam is nothing but extraordinary, especially since it'll stand its ground against global powerhouses like Facebook, carving a distinctly local path forward for the land of the ascending dragon.
In Ep 1. Dive into Kingsoft's gamble on the young upstart Vinagames, the precursor to VNG.
In Ep 2. Trace the evolution of Vinagames into VNG, through the ZING division whose internet products will touch over a 100 million lives.
In Ep 3. Witness what happens when Facebook comes to town, and VNG's struggle in the battle for social media.
In Ep 4. Delve deeper as their business skirmishes becomes a full-blown war over messaging platforms, reshaping the roles of VNG and Facebook in Vietnam
In Ep 5. Hear from industry insiders as they shed light on VNG's significance in the region.
-
We're looking to grow our team! Help support our productions here :') Buy Me a Coffee
-
Want to discover more origins, rise & fall on Asian business empires? Follow us on our
Tiktok where we share 5 minute breakdowns of some of the most interesting Asian businesses.
Want to meet the team? Follow me here!
-
If you love the style of Empires, and want similar content, check out:
📝💕 "Post, Love", Essays on Love, Life and Everything in Between. (On Spotify/ Apple)
🔪🩸 "Heinous", A Revive Look at the Most Heinous Crimes in Asia. (On Spotify/ Apple)

Aug 21, 2023 • 30min
VNG (VN) | An Amazing Brand | 2
VNG, often referred to as the "Tencent of Vietnam," is one of Southeast Asia's pioneering unicorns.
Mirroring Tencent, a significant 70% of VNG's revenue comes from gaming. Among its array of products, VNG boasts Zing, Zalo, and Zalopay, which parallel QQ - a social app, WeChat - a messenger, and WePay - a mobile wallet respectively.
VNG's remarkable success in Vietnam is nothing but extraordinary, especially since it'll stand its ground against global powerhouses like Facebook, carving a distinctly local path forward for the land of the ascending dragon.
In Ep 1. Dive into Kingsoft's gamble on the young upstart Vinagames, the precursor to VNG.
In Ep 2. Trace the evolution of Vinagames into VNG, through the ZING division whose internet products will touch over a 100 million lives.
In Ep 3. Witness what happens when Facebook comes to town, and VNG's struggle in the battle for social media.
In Ep 4. Delve deeper as their business skirmishes becomes a full-blown war over messaging platforms, reshaping the roles of VNG and Facebook in Vietnam
In Ep 5. Hear from industry insiders as they shed light on VNG's significance in the region.
-
We're looking to grow our team! Help support our productions here :') Buy Me a Coffee
-
Want to discover more origins, rise & fall on Asian business empires? Follow us on our
Tiktok where we share 5 minute breakdowns of some of the most interesting Asian businesses.
Want to meet the team? Follow me here!
-
If you love the style of Empires, and want similar content, check out:
📝💕 "Post, Love", Essays on Love, Life and Everything in Between. (On Spotify/ Apple)
🔪🩸 "Heinous", A Revive Look at the Most Heinous Crimes in Asia. (On Spotify/ Apple)
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