On Tuesday, April 21, Forbes Spain took a giant step forward in the world of media by launching a trilingual digital publication aimed at reflecting and amplifying the rich and diverse world of the Balearic Islands: “Forbes Baleares was launched with a clear mission: to become a voice for the economic and social model of our islands,” explained Marga Prohens, president of the Balearic Government, during the presentation of Forbes Spain’s new vertical
. “I am convinced that your presence will help enrich public debate, enabling us to better address the future challenges we face. Furthermore, it will do so by highlighting what defines us: local talent, innovation, our business community, and that lifestyle that is also part of our identity.”
And so, with the Mediterranean as a backdrop and a light breeze offering relief from today’s high temperatures in Mallorca, the launch of Forbes Baleares began—a new platform that views the archipelago not merely as a showcase, but as a driving force. As Prohens noted in his remarks, “We in the Balearic Islands do not want to be a place that merely stands by and watches. We want to be the protagonists.”
The terrace of the Meliá Victoria Hotel served as the perfect setting for the launch of Forbes Baleares at an event that brought together institutional representatives, business leaders, and key figures from the Balearic Islands’ economic and social sectors. The event, presided over by Marga Prohens, president of the Government of the Balearic Islands, was also attended by Jaime Martínez, mayor of Palma; Gabriel Le Senne, president of the Balearic Parliament; Alfonso Rodríguez, the Government delegate; and Ricardo Esteban Cabrejos, commander-general of the Balearic Islands, among other prominent officials.
Palma, a hub for innovation and knowledge
The event kicked off at 8:00 p.m. with remarks by Irene Sala, who served as the evening’s host and welcomed the audience in a bilingual format that foreshadowed the open and global nature of the new vertical. “Forbes is much more than just a publication; it is a meeting place for ideas that transform the world,” she noted, emphasizing the significance of this launch in the Canary Islands.
Following the screening of the Forbes video, Andrés Rodríguez, president of SpainMedia and editor of Forbes Spain, took the floor and highlighted the strategic decision to focus on the Balearic Islands as the first region in Spain to have its own dedicated section.
“We Madrid folks aren’t used to this light,” Andrés Rodríguez began. “And tomorrow we’ll be heading back on the 12:00 p.m. flight, feeling a bit down. We’ll be going back, but Forbes isn’t coming back, because we’re here to announce an engagement.”
“On the screen, you can see two very important covers,” he explained, pointing to two Forbes covers. “The first one is from 108 years ago. The publisher and editor, who lent his name to the magazine, never imagined he would build a brand with a global reputation. The leading global business news brand. The other cover is ours from 13 years ago… Today we’re taking it a step further: we’ve decided that, in a globalized world like this, local news is very important. And we want a global brand like Forbes to serve islands like these.”
“This is our first regional initiative, and we’re committed to making it a success. We need your help because you know this community better than we do, but we know how to share its story with the world. Thank you all for believing in this platform, which will provide content in Spanish, Catalan, and English.”
Next to speak was Jaime Martínez, mayor of Palma, who highlighted the role of the local business community: “It is our business owners, self-employed workers, and entrepreneurs who generate wealth, create jobs, and contribute to the collective well-being,” he said, while emphasizing the importance of the combination of innovation and tourism as the driving force behind the city’s economic transformation.
In this vein, the mayor also highlighted Palma’s ambition to establish itself as a hub for innovation and knowledge, citing strategic projects such as the Palma Culture and Innovation Bay and the transformation of Platja de Palma—all of which are geared toward a sustainable model, not only environmentally but also economically and socially.
The closing remarks were delivered by Marga Prohens, president of the regional government, who highlighted the significance of Forbes Baleares as a platform for showcasing local talent and the archipelago’s economic fabric. “The launch of Forbes Baleares brings undeniable added value, as it will provide a platform from which to analyze, interpret, and project our development,” she explained, also highlighting the project’s international scope thanks to its trilingual format. “An initiative that demonstrates, once again, your ability to evolve, to specialize, and to be where opportunities, talent, and value are generated.”
In her remarks, the president highlighted the Balearic Islands’ main strengths: “If I had to name three major strengths of our islands, I would say: leadership, quality, and sustainability. And now we’re taking it a step further. We want to be recognized not only for these strengths but also for our well-being,” she said, while emphasizing that sectors such as tourism, the nautical industry, and technology “are exporting innovation and knowledge from our islands to the rest of the world.”
The event continued with a cocktail reception where networking flowed naturally among institutional representatives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and leaders from various sectors that shape the present and future of the islands. The relaxed atmosphere perfectly reflected the spirit of Forbes Baleares: connecting, raising awareness, and promoting.
The evening unfolded amid lively conversations, reunions, and new connections, with the Mediterranean serving as a backdrop. Because this launch is not just a new publication: it is a statement of intent. A way of saying that the Balearic Islands aren’t just a destination—they’re a community. “My congratulations and best wishes for this new chapter, which begins with the goal of giving a voice to those who make the progress of these islands possible every day. Journalism created here and for the people here. Much success in this new chapter,” said the president of the regional government, marking the beginning of a journey that started today with this first step.
