BANGKOK, Oct 26 (Reuters) – A Thai celeb media tycoon and transgender rights advocate has purchased the Miss Universe Group for $20 million, marking the primary time the wonder pageant organiser can be owned by a girl, her firm mentioned on Wednesday.
Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, CEO and largest shareholder of JKN World Group Pcl (JKN) (JKN.BK), is a celeb in Thailand, starring in native variations of actuality reveals Venture Runway and Shark Tank.
She has been outspoken about her expertise as a transgender girl and in addition arrange the Life Impressed For Thailand Basis to advocate for the rights to dignity and alternatives for transgender folks.
The acquisition is “a robust, strategic addition to our portfolio,” mentioned Jakapong, including that Miss Universe, with its content material, licensing and merchandising alternatives, plans to increase in Asia.
JKN produces its personal reveals and distributes content material in Thailand from overseas together with documentaries and Bollywood dramas. Its shares jumped almost 10% in early commerce on Wednesday.
The annual magnificence contest run by the Miss Universe Organisation, which was co-owned by Donald Trump between 1996 and 2002, is broadcast in 165 nations and has been operating for 71 years.
Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Enhancing by Kanupriya Kapoor
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