Archie Carrasco, Chairman and the man behind AGC Power Holdings Corporation (AGC PHC) and One Mega Group, stands in the hall of fame amongst diverse business executives in Asia as he was proclaimed Master Entrepreneur in the Media and Entertainment industry at the prestigious Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2022.
Committed to continuously impact the lives of many, Archie Carrasco is living by his principle of “Purpose Over Profit” in the world of business. He is a prominent Filipino businessman who began his vision in a single homegrown publishing company, One MEGA Group Inc. (OMGI), and from then on, he successfully created the sphere of subsidiaries—Digistar PH, 7640 Inc., and MEGA Global Licensing Inc. (MGLI).
Centered on purpose, Carrasco highlighted in his award-winning speech the significant role of pure intentions where magic happens naturally. With great pride, he acknowledged the honor of receiving the award as it meant the team’s passion and energy led towards a higher purpose.
This is indeed a remarkable year for Carrasco as he is continuously recognized for his distinct role in the success of the publishing industry. Last June 2022, Asia Leaders Awards named him as one of the 15 Rising Tigers and Nation Builders under the Men and Women Who Matter List 2022.
Carrasco began his decades-spanning career in marketing, before shifting to publishing when he joined One MEGA Group Inc. (then MEGA Publishing Inc.) under the legendary Sari V. Yap, who acted as his mentor. Before Yap passed in 2019, Carrasco took over the reigns of the publishing group, which was then bearing the brunt of the digital shift of advertisers and readers that saw many competitors abandon print entirely.
Carrasco held on, instead devising a long-term vision and creating an eco-system that allowed MEGA not only to continue its print run but expand to become a thriving multi-platform brand. Then the pandemic hit, shuttering down many businesses and putting even more pressure on an already beleaguered industry. This also happened to be MEGA’s 30th anniversary. If it looked bleak, Carrasco chose to look at it differently. He recalibrated the brand. Here, purpose over profit really came into play: not only did One MEGA and its sister brands survive, but it kept almost its entire workforce—from executives to the brand’s drivers—intact.
Carrasco diversified, expanding his reach and doing the unthinkable: launching even more new titles. MEGA Drag and MEGA Active were born, alongside international titles under the MEGA Global Licenses Inc. umbrella, and 7640 Inc.
From diverse fields of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, Carrasco shared the stage with 25 honorable business leaders and enterprises across Asia. These entrepreneurs were gathered at a special gala dinner in Penang, Malaysia on October 20.
The award-giving ceremony gave emphasis on navigating growth in business amidst the era of COVID-19. The Chairman of APEA and Penang’s Head of State initiated the presentation of awards as he escalate his vision of responsible entrepreneurship as a key driver in paving the path to positioning Asia at the top of the worldwide economic reset.
Recognition was also given to top honorees such as President and CEO of Pepsi-Cola Philippines, Frederick Ong; Founder and CEO of Bataras Malaysia, Goh Thian Teck; Founder of LCY Development Brunei, Francis Lau Choo Yew; President and Chief Executive of Government Savings Bank Thailand, Vitai Ratanakorn; and Stamcorp International Singapore Founder, Nikhil Kumar, who are exemplary members across industries of mining, food & beverage, real estate, and finance.
