PubliGroupe's Board of Directors strongly supports a diversified shareholding structure
The hedge fund Laxey Partners Ltd., Isle of Man, representing the twelve funds which have been holding a participation of 4.98% of PubliGroupe Ltd. since February 2008, is proposing to the General Meeting of PubliGroupe on 30 April 2008 abolition of the 5% registration and voting rights restriction stipulated by the Articles of Association. PubliGroupe's Board of Directors unanimously opposes this proposal. With reference to the interests of partners, clients and investors with a long-term orientation, it recommends rejection of the Laxey's proposal at the forthcoming General Meeting. Furthermore, the Board of Directors proposes the distribution of a dividend increased from CHF 12 to CHF 13 per share as well as the election of Mr. Etienne Jornod as a new member of the Board.
In its invitation to the General Meeting, the Board of Directors states that the business model of PubliGroupe is based on long-term relationships with significant media concerns and communication companies. The independence of PubliGroupe and the reliability of its long-term corporate strategy are core factors for the success of the enterprise. A stable and diversified circle of shareholders which support and guarantee those values is therefore of great importance for PubliGroupe. PubliGroupe's share registration and voting rights policy, which is based on the current Articles of Association, is instrumental in protecting the company's independence and therefore corresponds to the interests of the company's owners as well as its partners and clients. The Board therefore recommends to the shareholders retention of the statutory registration and voting rights restriction which has applied to date and rejection of the proposal by Laxey at the General Meeting.
In view of the good results for 2007 and the positive outlook for the current year, the Board of Directors, as already announced, will propose distribution of a dividend increased from CHF 12 to CHF 13 per share. Apart from re-election of the existing members of the Board of Directors, Christian Budry, Gerhart Isler and Felix Weber, for a further period of office, the Board also proposes the election of Etienne Jornod, since 1996 the Chairman and Delegate of the Board of Galenica Ltd, as a new member.
For further information:
PubliGroupe Ltd.
Philippe Pidoux, Chairman
Tel.: + 41 21 317 72 02
Fax: + 41 21 317 72 22
You can also download the following PDF files:
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Press release
Download this press release in PDF 
(PDF 36 KB)
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Invitation to attend the General Meeting of 30 April 2008
Invitation to attend the General Meeting (PDF 94 KB)