As Esquire Malaysia prepares for its March 2026 print debut, the title returns to the market with a clear sense of purpose. Leading the launch is Editor-in-Chief Stuart Danker, who takes on the challenge of shaping a new edition from the ground up.
Danker steps into this role with a clear mandate: build a sharp, confident magazine that reflects the modern Malaysian man, while staying true to Esquire’s global DNA.
Esquire Malaysia positions itself as a platform with a defined editorial stance. It values witty writing, cultural fluency, and stories rooted in a local perspective. The focus remains firmly on Malaysian men driving change across business, culture, and creative industries, told through reporting that prizes depth, clarity, and personality.
So, here are a few words from the man of the hour. Danker shares his vision, the challenges ahead, and why now is the right moment for Esquire Malaysia to arrive.
Congratulations on your appointment at the helm of Esquire Malaysia. How does this new role feel?
Stuart Danker: Thank you! I’m lucky in the sense that such a huge shift in my career only involved shifting a few desks over within the same office, so it’s what I’ve been accustomed to.
But the role itself requires me to oversee so many moving parts that I have not had to previously, especially since we’re building everything from scratch. And the fact that we now need to adhere to Esquire’s global branding just adds to the challenge, which I’m excited about.
What is at the very core of Esquire’s DNA?
SD: One of the brand’s tenets is that it's for the man who has arrived, and I totally stand behind that. And in Malaysia, we have so many personalities of this calibre with rich stories just waiting to be told.
Add on the diverse cultural make-up that this country offers, and we have an unending source of aspirational takes that can be told through the Esquire lens. While we’re on the topic of stories, Esquire has always been known for its strong and witty voice, which we will lean heavily on as well.
Besides the Singapore edition of Esquire, which is published by the same media group, how active is the global Esquire network in supporting a new edition?
SD: It’s only been a couple of months since we launched our digital platforms, and already I know most of the team from our principal in the United States.
I have always worked in regional titles, and having access to my international counterparts has definitely opened my eyes to the many different ways you can tackle the same task. My colleagues have been very generous with their knowledge in those arenas.
With Malaysia’s growing luxury scene and global outlook, is the market ready for Esquire?
SD: Malaysia has always been ready, in my opinion. Because aspiring to be the best person you can be doesn't need to be bound by time, locale, nor luxury zeitgeist. And any community that seeks continuous improvement—while not taking themselves too seriously—will always find a home in the Esquire brand.
What will define a successful launch for Esquire Malaysia?
SD: The world of media belongs on an ever-evolving landscape, so there is no true way of telling which plans will or will not succeed.
Having said that, we will position our success based on these factors: clear editorial positioning, strategic partnerships, and cultural relevance.
Having a strong voice is a given, and I believe our editorial team can more than handle the literary rigours required for this aspect of the title.
We will also need to rely on readers, brands, and talents, because the media world doesn't exist in a vacuum.
But most importantly, it will depend on our ability to capture the nuances and aspirations of our beloved country, and to do justice to our personalities’ stories as well as the audience’s expectations. It's through this trinity that we will ensure a successful launch.
Is a launch party planned?
SD: But of course. It's the only way. We’ve locked in 31 March for the event, so save the date.
This event will bring together industry leaders, creatives, brand partners, and the men who are shaping Malaysia today. Do expect live performances by personalities that exude the Esquire ethos. Besides being a shindig for our guests, it will also be a night of celebrating the Esquire men of Malaysia, that’s for sure.
Tell us more about your digital and social media strategy to create impact and differentiation?
SD: In the words well understood by our region, I’ll say: “Same same but different.” We recognise that we’ll need a consistent brand across all channels, but we also know the limitations and strengths of each medium. So when it comes to digital and social media platforms, we will tap into the ebbs and flows of digital subculture, a freedom that we won’t have with our print magazines.
And while the online trend is headed towards snappy video content, we believe there’s always room for lengthier and more in-depth storytelling, which again, will flourish through our love of good stories instead of being led by the algorithm all the time.
Tease us with some hints of what will be special (and addictive) in the Esquire Malaysia March 2026 issue?
SD: Each of our editorial members were handpicked because they could spin a good yarn, and they come from different walks of life, so their stories, as well as the topics they curate, will give you a pleasant read that you can enjoy to a cup of coffee or a glass of whisky.
But providing value doesn’t only happen in print, and we have some rather exciting peripheral projects that seem rather ambitious, so you’ll have to stay tuned to find out if those plans ever come to fruition.
In your opinion, what is the future of media, especially with the latest developments of ChatGPT & similar AI platforms?
SD: Anyone familiar with the language can tell the difference between human and AI. Avid readers were the first to point out how suspect a machine’s prose could be. Some platforms encourage the use of AI, but our editorial team has emphatically agreed to showcase our humanity, typos and all.
Regarding the future of media, I definitely think that man and machine can coexist in this space, and it will be up to the consumers to decide what they want.
Looking back at your time at Heart Media Group, what achievement makes you proudest?
SD: Given the endless days and nights spent interviewing and pondering over the many candidates that were interested in joining the Esquire Malaysia team, I would say that building and being a part of a team that enjoys working together gives me a sense of pride I never thought I’d get.
