COMCE Appoints Stephane Michel as President of International Section for Asia and Oceania
The Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment, and Technology (COMCE) has appointed Stephane Michel as the president of its International Section for Asia and Oceania.
With over 32 years of experience in the Asia Pacific region, both professionally and as a resident, Stephane Michel currently serves as the president of Grupo Valanti, one of Asia’s leading luxury real estate holding companies.
Warner Bros. Discovery to Split Business into Two Separate Companies
Warner Bros. Discovery, a U.S.-based media and entertainment company, announced plans to divide its business into two separate entities.
The move aims to separate the streaming unit from its cable television channels, following the 2022 merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery.
- Streaming & Studios: This division will include Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, and HBO Max, along with their film and television libraries.
- Global Networks: This division will encompass entertainment, sports, and news channels worldwide, including CNN, TNT Sports in the U.S., Discovery (free-to-air channels across Europe), and digital products like the streaming service Discovery+ and Bleacher Report.
The company separation will be structured as a tax-free transaction, expected to conclude by mid-2026.
Apple Opens AI Technology to External Developers
Apple announced on Monday that it will open the core AI technology powering some of its own features to external developers.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s head of software, stated that the company is making its foundational AI model available to outside developers.
- Challenges Faced: Apple faces unprecedented technical and regulatory hurdles as some of its top executives kicked off the annual software developer conference on Monday.
- Stock Performance: Apple’s stock remained stable before the conference but dropped 1.21% after executives took the stage.
Macquarie Investment in Tijuana: Fiber Macquarie to Develop Industrial Buildings
Fibra Macquarie, a real estate investment trust focused on industrial properties, plans to construct four new Class A industrial buildings in Tijuana’s Pacific/Libramiento submarket.
The estimated total investment for this project is $88 million, with Fibra Macquarie contributing 50% progressively. The remaining funds will come from GRUPO FRISA, Macquarie’s existing partner in nine commercial properties.
- Project Details: The new buildings will span approximately 750,000 square feet of leasable space.
- Expected Returns: Fibra Macquarie anticipates a net operating income (NOI) yield between 9% and 11%.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Stephane Michel and why is his appointment significant? Stephane Michel, with over 32 years of experience in the Asia Pacific region, is appointed as the president of COMCE’s International Section for Asia and Oceania. His extensive background in luxury real estate makes his appointment noteworthy.
- What will the separation of Warner Bros. Discovery entail? The company will split into two entities: Streaming & Studios, comprising Warner Bros. Television, Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, and HBO Max; and Global Networks, featuring entertainment, sports, and news channels worldwide.
- Why is Apple opening its AI technology to external developers? Apple aims to make its foundational AI model available to outside developers, fostering innovation and collaboration.
- What is Fibra Macquarie’s investment in Tijuana about? Fibra Macquarie plans to develop four new Class A industrial buildings in Tijuana’s Pacific/Libramiento submarket, contributing $88 million to the project with GRUPO FRISA as a partner.
