Media Visionary Archie Carrasco Recognized at the Asia Leaders Awards

Chairman and CEO of AGC Power Holdings Archie Carrasco shares the secret to his success as he received a prestigious award as one of the Men and Women Who Matter in 2022.

The Asia Leaders Awards is a prestigious award-giving body that recognizes the best of the best—people who have made a difference, not just within their respective industries, but also on a country-wide scale. This includes being recognized for their contributions to promoting the Philippines as the premier business hub in Asia and beyond.

A coming-together of some of the country’s top leaders and innovators, the Hilton Grand Ballroom was the epicenter of this year’s Asia Leader’s awards. And among the night’s distinguished honorees was Archie G. Carrasco, the CEO and Chairman of the media conglomerate, AGC Power Holdings Corp.

Named as one of the 15 Rising Tigers and Nation Builders under the Men and Women Who Matter List 2022, Carrasco has exceeded expectations despite the limitations presented by the global pandemic. A testament to recognizing leadership and celebrating excellence, the Men and Women Who Matter List also highlights making an impact in this world and inspiring others.

Through Carrasco’s leadership, AGC Power Holdings Corp. (AGC PHC) is a conglomerate that houses the biggest media titles in the country. A publishing empire built from the ground up, it has powered on through the pandemic and has grown stronger amid many challenges.

Resilience and Strength: Leadership Under Archie Carrasco

“A test of authentic leadership” is how he described those uncertain times. Like many industries, the onset of the pandemic made operations difficult. Many have had to shutter down, either temporarily or permanently, while others powered on. AGC Power Holdings did just that. By turning setbacks into opportunities, Carrasco managed to save the company—and grow it, even.

Taking bold steps to diversify his string of businesses, Carrasco was even able to introduce new brands under his belt. From MEGA Active for fitness enthusiasts to MEGA Drag for the LGBTQ+ community, among many others, he did what no other company could. But this would not have been possible without a talented team.

“I am fortunate to have an incredibly innovative and high-functioning team behind me. It was through their unwavering support, hard work, and dedication that our company was able to expand and evolve despite the limitations brought by our current situation,” Carrasco explained.

Above all else, he put his people first. With purpose over profit as his guiding principle, he kept his employees safe and provided them and their families with the security of tenure. While the majority of them work from home, Carrasco still reports to the office every day—guiding his executives and the support team. From overseeing multiple companies to meeting with the leaders of each of his companies, clients, and industry partners, Carrasco’s daily life is a busy one.

The Forces That Shaped Him

Carrasco’s leadership skills and experiences, while finely tuned, were borne from the creative visionaries and pioneers who have inspired him. In his speech, he gratefully names his first mentor: Frances J. Yu, the former AVP for Marketing of Rustan’s, as someone who guided him when he joined the company.

His second mentor is the late founder of One Mega Group (OMG), Sari V. Yap. Fifteen years ago, she realized his potential and through her leadership, paved the way for him. To this day, he upholds the promise he made when she named him president of OMG. And that is to continue the legacy of the company, to ensure that employees and stakeholders are cared for, and to maintain the standard for Filipino media excellence.

Now a mentor himself, Carrasco lives by what he’s learned—staying resilient despite the many obstacles faced, listening to his people, and providing a safe space where his team can share their ideas and opinions. A leader and visionary in his own right, the fact that the company stood strong amid the pandemic is proof of that.

The Secret to Success

But amid the fast-paced world of media publishing, marketing, and advertising, how does Carrasco manage to stand above it all? “Not doing what everyone else is doing is the secret,” Carrasco shared. “Limiting yourself to the status quo won’t work. Instead, one should project what makes you unique from others, and that’s how the world will notice your efforts.”

As a leader himself, Carrasco also emphasizes the importance of embracing change. For a business to evolve and survive, constant innovation and growth are a must. “Always prepare your business for the future. During unpredictable times such as the global pandemic, no one could have anticipated the economic toll it took on businesses,” he shared.

But beyond his own accomplishments, Carrasco believes that success happens when you achieve something that positively impacts the lives of others. “At the end of the day, the true meaning of success is your level of happiness dictated by what you have achieved and how you have inspired those around you,” he opined. “It is important to keep in mind that above all your successes, you must always remember to put your people first.”