Press releases PubliGroupe
Archive
02.05.2012 - Lausanne
The shares of PubliGroupe Ltd will be traded from 2 May 2012 onwards in accordance with the Domestic Standard of SIX Swiss Exchange. The last trading day in accordance with the Main Standard was 30 April 2012. SIX Swiss Exchange approved the request by PubliGroupe to change the regulatory standard.
25.04.2012 - Lausanne
The 121th Annual General Meeting of PubliGroupe Ltd, held on 25 April 2012, approved all of the Board of Directors' proposals by a clear majority. The proposals of zCapital Ltd (Zug, Switzerland) for the cancellation of the statutory registration and voting rights restriction were rejected. The AGM approved the annual report 2011, granted discharge to the Members of the Board of Directors and agreed to distribute CHF 6.- per share for 2011, which will be paid as of 3 May 2012. Hans-Peter Rohner was re-elected for a statutory period of three years and confirmed in his function as Chairman. Peter Brunner was re-elected for a term of one year.
03.04.2012 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe has concluded the CEO search process and appointed Arndt Groth (47) as its new CEO. Arndt Groth is a proven expert in the area of online marketing who played a lead role in the European expansion of Adconion into one of the largest independent, global marketing networks. He will be the successor to Hans-Peter Rohner and take over as of 1 September 2012. Hans-Peter Rohner shall remain at the disposal of PubliGroupe as Chairman of the Board, subject to re-election at the Annual General Meeting on 25 April 2012.
30.03.2012 - Lausanne/New York/London/Berlin
PubliGroupe, a Swiss-based provider of marketing and media sales services, today signed a joint-venture agreement with MediaMath, the leading demand-side platform (DSP) provider that caters to marketers’ media buying needs. The partners have formed a new dedicated company in Berlin, Spree7 GmbH, to serve the markets of Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH). Spree7 will offer state-of-the-art media buying services to advertisers and agencies based on the industry-awarded MediaMath technology. The unit will launch its operations by Mid-April.
09.03.2012 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe posted a net result of CHF 14.6 million in 2011 after CHF 42.6 million in the previous year. The reported operating result (EBIT) largely corresponds to the previous year at CHF 30.5 million (2010: CHF 32.6 million.) A disappointing result in Media Sales with negative operating figures overshadowed the otherwise good operating performance by Search & Find and Digital & Marketing Services. The Board of Directors will propose to the General Meeting of Shareholders an unchanged distribution of CHF 6.
22.12.2011 - Lausanne
"12 Marketing Trends 2012" looks at the effectiveness of marketing, starting up a discussion about the most important trends for the year 2012. “MME” is now available in three language versions (German, English, French) – either as an app for iPad that can be downloaded from the Apple Store (MME 12 Trends), or on the PubliGroupe website.
01.12.2011 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe is initiating strategic measures to sustainably strengthen its competitive position in an increasingly digital market environment.
At the Investors’ Day in Zurich, the Group will present decisions aimed at securing its profitability for the long term. The sale of a majority of the real estate portfolio as well as change of the accounting standards are planned for 2012.
CEO Hans-Peter Rohner will be relinquishing his double mandate as of the 2012 General Assembly and concentrating on his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
For 2011, PubliGroupe is projecting less profit than originally anticipated due to the more subdued market environment for Media Sales and its traditional print business. Search & Find with local.ch and the key participation.
29.08.2011 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe posted a net result of CHF 14.9 million in the first half of 2011. The operating result (EBIT) improved from CHF 11.3 million to CHF 13.8 million. While overall business volume declined by 11%, the online business increased by 8% (+20% at constant exchange rates). Media Sales reported lower revenues, although the traditional Swiss Publicitas branch network reaffirms operational turnaround. Search & Find had solid results, remaining the main contributor to overall profits. Digital & Marketing Services (DMS) and in particular Zanox had a very strong first half year with a significantly higher EBIT contribution – despite the considerable drop of the euro against the Swiss franc.
13.07.2011 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe continues to expand its digital expertise at the group level by filling the newly created position of Head of Digital Development with Yves-Alain Schwaar, who comes to PubliGroupe from the Geneva agency Digital Luxury Group (formerly IC-Agency). Together with Mike Weber, Head of Strategic Projects, Yves-Alain Schwaar is responsible for the realisation of new, especially digital growth projects at the group level.
01.07.2011 - Lausanne
Following five years of successful development efforts, Thomas Kaiser, CEO of the business segment Digital & Marketing Services (DMS) and Deputy CEO of the Group, is leaving PubliGroupe on his own accord as of the end of August 2011 in order to take on a new role with a Swiss media company. Andreas Schönenberger, former Country Manager of Google Switzerland and since April 2010 a Member of the PubliGroupe Board of Directors, will oversee the Group’s interests at Zanox, the largest online company within the Group. Along with his current role as CFO of DMS, Renato Martignoni will take on expanded management responsibility as the newly appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the business segment. On the Group level, the additional position of Head of Digital Development is being created.
10.06.2011 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe sells its 12% share in Chinese advertising sales group City Media to Jining RedBridge Technology Venture Capital Co., Ltd. and Nan’an RedBridge Venture Capital Co., Ltd.
01.06.2011 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe acquires a 5 per cent stake in the 4uGroup, owner of the online knowledge platform JANZZ.com launched in December 2010 whose subscriptions and business solutions will be sold by Publicitas. Beat Roeschlin, CEO of Publicitas and member of PubliGroupe’s general management, joins 4uGroup’s board of directors.
26.05.2011 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe sells its 17% stake in Huashang Interactive Media, the Internet division of the China-based Huashang Media Group, to Xi’an Huashang YingDa Startup Investment Co. Ltd, which is a subsidiary of the parent company Huashang Media Group.
17.05.2011 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe sells its subsidiary Emphasis Video Entertainment to Advanced Inflight Alliance, an internationally operating Munich-based company specialized in inflight entertainment.
03.05.2011 - Lausanne
The 120th Annual General Meeting of PubliGroupe Ltd, held on 3 May 2011, approved all of the Board of Directors' proposals by a clear majority. The AGM approved the annual report 2010, granted discharge to the Members of the Board of Directors and agreed to distribute a dividend of CHF 6.- per share for 2010, which will be paid as of 10 May 2011.
12.04.2011 - Lausanne
The invitation to the ordinary general meeting of PubliGroupe on 3 May 2011 is published today in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC). From 12 April 2011, the invitation with the agenda and 2010 annual report are available at www.publigroupe.com.
04.04.2011 - Zurich
The company currently operating under the name Publicitas Publimedia is merging with web2com, another PubliGroupe company, the specialist in digital marketing. This pooling of expertise will lead to more effective exploitation of synergies within the individual group companies, particularly in the areas of print and online, whereby the existing services of Publimedia and web2com will continue to be offered. Along with comprehensive consulting expertise, the new Publimedia bundles various advisory services within a newly developed platform. The new Head of Publimedia is Andreas Gedenk. At the beginning of May 2011, the new Publimedia will take up operations with 35 employees.
18.03.2011 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe posted a net result of CHF 42.6 million in 2010. This return to profitability is due to the positive earnings contribution made by all three currently active business segments. Operational improvements and new agreements with media partners have enabled a faster turnaround than planned, especially in classic media marketing. The Search & Find segment, which focuses on clients in local markets, delivered the largest contribution to group earnings. Great progress was made across all segments of the highly promising digital services business, with overall growth of 33%. The Board of Directors is proposing a dividend of CHF 6 to the General Meeting.
30.11.2010 - Publigroupe
PubliGroupe appoints Beat Werder (43) as the new Head of Corporate Communications as per 1 December 2010. The Head of Corporate Communications is in charge of internal and external communications of the group. He will be based in Lausanne and Zurich.
08.11.2010 - Lausanne
- Strategic focus on Search & Find, Digital & Marketing Services and Media Sales
- Custom Publishing will cease to form an independent business segment
- Monica Woo, CEO Custom Publishing, to leave PubliGroupe at the end of 2010
19.10.2010 - Bern, Lausanne
PubliGroupe and Swisscom are placing their joint venture companies LTV Yellow Pages AG/home.ch and Swisscom Directories AG/Local.ch AG under joint management. This streamlining should facilitate a more dynamic development while simplifying decision-making processes and generally strengthening market focus. Synergies will be exploited more effectively and performance and services will be further improved to the benefit of users and customers. The appointment of Edi Bähler as CEO is the first step towards this unified approach. He will take over operational management on 15 November 2010.
19.10.2010 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe and Swisscom today announced the organizational and strategic reorientation of their successful joint venture companies. LTV Yellow Pages and Swisscom Directories/local.ch are being placed under unified management and on 15 November 2010 will gain a new joint CEO - Edi Bähler.
30.08.2010 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe is showing increasing signs of recovery: For the first half of 2010 the Group has reported an operating result (EBIT) of CHF 12.4 million (2009: CHF -3.5 million) and a net result of CHF 27.1 million (2009: CHF -8.5 million). Figures are also in the black before taking non-recurring items into account: operating profit was CHF 7.9 million (2009: CHF -12.3 million) and net income CHF 7.5 million (2009: CHF -12.5 million). The recovery is based on substantial additional cost savings, a significantly reduced operating loss in Media Sales as well as acquisitive and organic growth in online services. The return to profitable growth was achieved thanks to progress made on all PubliGroupe's different strategic initiatives. Positive results are also expected for the full year.
07.07.2010 - Bern, Lausanne
Partner firms Swisscom and PubliGroupe have decided to align the management of their joint venture companies PubliDirect/LTV Yellow Pages AG and Swisscom Directories AG more closely. This will allow the businesses to maintain growth by capitalizing on the most appropriate opportunities in the local search market, which is currently characterised by rapid technological development and increasing competition from national and international rivals. An intense cooperation under a planned joint management will also generate significant cost and development synergies. However, implementation of the joint management structure still requires authorization from the Competition Commission.
19.05.2010 - Lausanne
Mike A. Weber is taking over the role of Head of Strategic Projects within the Corporate Development Team at PubliGroupe with immediate effect.
03.05.2010 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe AG is acquiring a 75% majority stake in INSTANZ AG, a Swiss online performance marketing pioneer. Founders Andi Hess and Marc Pittner are retaining a 25% shareholding in the group and will continue to manage the business together with third founder Mirjam Gschank.
30.04.2010 - Lausanne
The Swiss Federal Administrative Court has confirmed a decision made by the Competition Commission in March 2007 that included an administrative penalty of CHF 2.5 million, which was imposed at the end of an investigation concerning guidelines for commission payments by Publicitas to professional agents.
27.04.2010 - Lausanne
Kjell Aamot and Andreas Schönenberger elected to the Board of Directors
26.04.2010 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe has sold its entire 19.9% stake in Edipresse. A 17.9% parcel of shares will be taken over by Edipresse's majority shareholder, Lamunière SA, by 25 May 2010.
19.03.2010 - Lausanne
Rigorous implementation of the business segment strategy, dedicated cost reductions, and significant growth in online business helped to limit the impact of the decline in press advertising and of the resulting operating loss in traditional media marketing.
– Sharp decline in marketing of press advertising causes revenue to fall 24.1% to CHF 1.6 billion and the gross margin to slip by CHF 84.2 million (-18.9%)
– Operating loss limited to CHF -4.5 million thanks to massive cost savings of CHF 55.1 million and positive results by the business segments that operate in growth markets
– Net loss comes to CHF -20.9 million (2008: CHF -42.1 million) – Balance sheet remains solid, with equity ratio of 43.4%. Net debt reduced by CHF 20 million to CHF 165 million.
– Better group result expected for 2010 thanks to additional cost savings of CHF 38 million and the continued successful development of the Search & Find and Digital & Marketing Services business segments
– Divestments of non-strategic assets reduce debt and increase scope for further development of growth businesses.
01.03.2010 - Lausanne
Market leadership in online affiliate marketing in the UK
08.02.2010 - Basel
- The Hagemann family and PubliGroupe are selling their shares in "National Zeitung und Basler Nachrichten AG" to Dr. Tito Tettamanti and Basel-based media lawyer Martin Wagner.
- The Basler Zeitung (BaZ) remains an autonomous and independent Basel newspaper.
- Martin Wagner is becoming the new Chairman of the Board of Directors and Publisher of the BaZ; Matthias Hagemann remains on the Board.
- BZM is made up of 14 independent companies and 2 major interests.
02.02.2010 - Lausanne
Michaela Stöckli, who has been a Member of the Board of Directors of PubliGroupe since 2004 has announced that new professional obligations mean she will be stepping down from the Board at the General Meeting of Shareholders at the end of April 2010.
07.12.2009 - Zurich
NZZ Mediengruppe and PubliGroupe/Publicitas Ltd. are renewing their strategic partnership in print media sales.
04.12.2009 - Lausanne
Robert Schmidli, who has been CEO of Publicitas/Media Sales since January 2008 and who has worked for the group with great success for 13 years, has for personal reasons asked the Board of Directors of PubliGroupe to end his contract of employment in 2010.
24.08.2009 - Lausanne
- Growth of online services maintained
- Operating loss (EBIT) CHF -3.5 million; net loss CHF -8.5 million at the height of the worst crisis of the last 50 years
04.08.2009 - Lausanne
Joint venture acquires 50.1% equity interest in British affiliate network
29.04.2009 - Lausanne
Hans-Peter Rohner appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors
13.03.2009 - Lausanne
- EBIT of CHF 40 million thanks to the positive results of the business segments Search & Find, Digital & Marketing Services and Custom Publishing and to a gain made on the sale of real estate assets.
- Net loss of CHF - 42.1 million caused by the worsening results of Media Sales-Publicitas, goodwill amortizations totalling CHF 33.8 million, including CHF 28.9 million at Media Sales and fall in the stock market value of the 19.9% interest in Edipresse and 1.4% in Tamedia which has a CHF 44.7 million impact on the result.
- These trends have been confirmed in the early part of 2009: the downturn in press advertising is continuing and activities in the online field are still growing strongly. Cost structures are being permanently adjusted to the trend of declining business activities, while investments in growth activities continue.
- The group already achieves 14% of its gross margin in the online/digital segment with sales up 23% at CHF 123 million. This makes PubliGroupe a leading player in this particular field in Switzerland. These figures do not include zanox (47.5% interest) whose sales stand at CHF 322 million (+23.5%).
- Media Sales-Publicitas has changed its business model to create a fresh dynamic on markets which are undergoing far-reaching changes.
- Dividend of CHF 3.50 (2007: CHF 13.-) gross per share paid out in PubliGroupe shares.
09.03.2009 - Berlin/Lausanne
02.03.2009 - Lausanne
On 1 January 2010, Edipresse will take over the management of advertising sales for all its own titles. Publicitas will remain a preferred partner of Edipresse
26.01.2009 - Lausanne
Felix Weber has announced that for personal reasons he is resigning from the Board of Directors of PubliGroupe Ltd. with immediate effect.
21.01.2009 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe has sold 100% of the capital of Stadtanzeiger Olten AG to AZ Medien AG, Aarau. Stadtanzeiger Olten AG publishes the free weekly paper of the same name in the Olten region. The newspaper has a print run of around 49,000. PubliGroupe's company Publicitas will continue to have exclusive responsibility for marketing Stadtanzeiger Olten.
19.12.2008 - Lausanne
Philippe Pidoux, the longstanding Chairman of the Board of Directors, is to step down on the date of the 2009 AGM – CEO Hans-Peter Rohner proposed as his successor - Thomas Kaiser, CEO Digital & Marketing Services, to become PubliGroupe's new Deputy Chief Executive Officer on 1 May 2009
04.11.2008 - Lausanne
Intensification of ongoing cost reduction program – 2008 annual results well below expectations – Publicitas reviews its business model
25.08.2008 - Lausanne
- 42.7% growth in digital and electronic media (92.3% including zanox); international business grows by 46.1% (72.2% including zanox)
- Revenue increases by 3.1%, 7.7% including zanox; like-for-like sales fall by 7.2%
- Media Sales successfully transformed, but results well below expectations so far in a difficult environment
- EBIT improves by 65.5 % to CHF 61.9 million thanks to profit on property disposal
- Net result falls 24.8 % to CHF 43.9 million
24.06.2008 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe has sold its property at Holbeinstrasse 22/30 in Zurich, which was built in 1961 and extended in 1972 to Züblin Immo Ltd., a subsidiary of Züblin Ltd.
23.06.2008 - Lausanne and Munich
PubliGroupe is taking an investment stake in German online entertainment network Fantastic Zero (FZ). PubliGroupe is buying 39% of the company's capital from a subsidiary of Wunder Media GmbH and has an option from majority shareholder Holtzbrinck eLAB to acquire a majority stake. The transaction will go ahead once approval has been granted by the German competition authorities. Munich company Fantastic Zero was founded in 2007. It is one of the first vertical network in Germany to develop and bundle high-end entertainment websites (gaming, film, technology and music) and then sell advertising space on them. Under its "Fantastic Zero" label the company reaches its young, male target group with little waste coverage.
19.06.2008 -
At its first meeting since the company's AGM on 30 April 2008, the Board of Directors of PubliGroupe constituted itself as follows:
30.04.2008 - Lausanne
Clear rejection of move to lift statutory registration and voting rights restriction.
08.04.2008 - Lausanne
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.
19.03.2008 - Lausanne
- Sales and profits increase in 2007
- Large investments in growth as international and multimedia group
- Dividend rises from CHF 12 to CHF 13
- Double-digit increases in sales and earnings this year
15.02.2008 - Lausanne
Globalization of the previously Asia-focused Custom Publishing Division
21.01.2008 - Lausanne
Strategic alliance with "Huashang Interactive Media", the Internet division of a major Chinese media group.
20.12.2007 - Lausanne and Zürich
Publicitas and Tamedia have entered into a new agency agreement, which will take effect 1 January 2008. The agreement incorporates recent developments in advertising management services, especially due to new competitors on the Internet, and replaces the current agreement of the year 2005.
20.12.2007 - Lausanne
Strategic alliance with leading Chinese advertising sales group “City Media”.
19.12.2007 - Lausanne
Acquisition of leading Dutch marketing and media services company.
15.11.2007 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe acquires 100% of the capital of the French companies Bégécom, based in Nîmes, and Annuaires Téléphoniques de Bretagne (ATB), based in Lorient, which publish telephone directories/Yellow Pages in Lyon and in 13 other urban areas in South East, South and West France. The Bégécom/ATB Group reports annual sales worth EUR 6 million and employs 60 persons.
31.10.2007 - Berne/Lausanne
Swisscom and PubliGroupe have been cooperating in Switzerland since 1999 in a joint venture for the publication and commercialization of printed and online directories. Alongside printed products for which demand remains very high, the services offered by the Internet and mobile telephone platforms are becoming increasingly important; at the same time, however, they are exposed to strong and ever-growing competition, mostly of international origin. To be better equipped to take up the challenges presented by the intense competition between Internet platforms providing online directories and search engines for local information, the joint venture-partners, PubliDirect and Swisscom Directories, will continue their activities within the joint venture and intensify their cooperation in the area of "Search & Find Online" services.
26.09.2007 - Lausanne
The Board of Directors of PubliGroupe has appointed Mr. Christopher Blackwell (age 40 – British citizen) to the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO). He will take over responsibility for the Information & Communication Technology Department on 1 January 2008 from Mr. Jean-Paul Nicoulin. To ensure a smooth transition, Mr. Nicoulin will remain a member of the Group Management until 30 June 2008, before retiring at the end of 2008. The PubliGroupe General Management, aligned with the new PubliGroupe strategy, is therefore now complete.
12.09.2007 - Lausanne
“Media Sales”, the new all-media sales organisation defined in the strategic orientation of PubliGroupe, will develop its market activities with the brand Publicitas. 9 brands used today by PubliGroupe for media sales activities all over the world will progressively be merged into the traditional, but new designed Publicitas brand. This means that the current brands cinecom, Mosse, Publiconnect, Publimag, Publimedia, Publicitas Promotion Network, Radiotele and web2com will be merged with the brand Publicitas within the next 2 years. The new branding structure will be introduced starting Spring 2008.
12.09.2007 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe acquires 70% of the share capital of the Canadian company APR Media Ltd., which focuses in the sale of print and online media advertising. Based in Toronto and Vancouver, APR Media Ltd. generates an annual sales volume of CHF 24 million with a representation portfolio of many of the leading American publishers in the fields of newspapers, magazines and websites. The company employs 12 persons.
27.08.2007 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe reports good growth on volatile markets and in an increasingly competitive environment
- 4.2% increase in sales
- Strong growth in the electronic media (+ 61.5%) and on the international markets (+ 7.5%)
- Substantial resources dedicated to further development of online services and products
- EBIT reaches CHF 34.8 million (+ 3%)
- Net result more than doubled at CHF 58.4 million with the profit on the sale of 24/7 Real Media shares
21.08.2007 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe’s new strategic orientation is moving ahead with the announcement of the new management for the newly designed business segment, Media Sales, as of 2008. Under the leadership of Robert Schmidli all sales activities of PubliPresse (Publicitas, Publimedia, Publimag, Mosse Media), the international network Publicitas Promotion Network and the electronic and digital media companies (cinecom, Radiotele, web2com, Crossmedia) will be integrated within this business segment. The management structure for Media Sales will have four operational divisions with geographical areas in Switzerland, Europe, Asia/Pacific and the Americas with the following support services units: “Media Partners Relations & Marketing”, "Business Engineering", "Strategy Development Media Sales", "Finance & Controlling" and "Human Resources". This organization will become effective on January 1st, 2008. The current organizational structure will remain in place until December 2007.
13.07.2007 - Zurich and Lausanne
- The AG für die Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) subsidiary FPH Freie Presse Holding (FPH) will own 95.1% of St. Galler Tagblatt AG and 61.5% of LZ Medien Holding AG:
o PubliGroupe transfers its 25% shareholding in St. Galler Tagblatt AG and its 10.7% share in LZ Medien Holding AG to FPH
o NZZ in turn transfers its 50.8% shareholding in LZ Medien Holding AG to FPH
- PubliGroupe correspondingly increases its minority shareholding in FPH from 22.2% to 25.1%
04.07.2007 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe, a leading sales organization for commercial communication, is selling its 4.5 percent stake in the US company 24/7 Real Media Inc., New York, as part of the tender offer from the British WPP Group plc. The sale of this equity holding generates an income for PubliGroupe of *CHF 36.3 million (USD 29.5 million). This will be used to finance the recently announced acquisition of the rapidly growing online marketing services provider zanox.
21.06.2007 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe, a leading sales organization for commercial communication, is pushing ahead with the implementation of the new strategic orientation announced earlier this year. The Board of Directors has made appointments to the leading positions in four new business segments which will form the operational base for the new PubliGroupe organization with effect from 1 January 2008.
22.05.2007 - Berlin/Lausanne
- Investment in rapidly growing market of performance-based online marketing (multichannel commerce)
- Access to new ways to market online sales
- Expansion of digital business activities
- Strengthening of zanox’s international growth efforts
- Development of new products and technologies and acquisition of new customer groups planned
11.05.2007 - Basel/Lausanne
Basler Zeitung Medien to take over management of advertising sales for its titles, PubliGroupe remains strategic partner of BZM Group
28.03.2007 - Lausanne
At CHF 61.8 million, the EBIT reflects the strong operational performance of the group’s core activities. It is 7.7% higher on a like for like basis which excludes non-recurring gains on the disposal of participations and the impact of changes in the scope of consolidation in 2006, essentially at the beginning of the second half following the acquisitions associated with the group’s development in the electronic media and local guides. This growth has been achieved against the background of joint spending of CHF 14.4 million (+ 24%) by PubliDirect and PubliPresse for the deployment of their online activities.
20.03.2007 - Lausanne
Competition Commission approves amicable settlement concerning new PubliPresse guidelines for commission payments to professional agents / Cartel investigation closed / PubliGroupe intends to appeal against the administrative penalty of CHF 2.5 million with the Federal Court for Administrative Law Matters
09.03.2007 - Zurich/Lausanne
NZZ-Group and PubliGroupe completed the second phase of the transactions announced previously concerning some of their holdings in the regional press of German-speaking Switzerland: The NZZ subsidiary Freie Presse Holding AG (FPH) holds now 100% of Zürcher Unterland Medien AG and a 40% interest in Zürichsee Presse AG In exchange, PubliGroupe increases its participation in FPH from 11% to 22.2%
28.08.2006 - Lausanne
Growth on international markets and in electronic and online media in Switzerland / Progress in operations in all the group’s areas of activity / Growth of EBIT and net result on a comparable basis
29.06.2006 - Lausanne
Christian Gartmann, Executive Director of SevenOne Media Switzerland and Sat.1 Switzerland, will be joining the PubliGroupe Management Committee on 1 January 2007, with responsibility for the "Electronic Digital & Interactive Media" business activities
23.06.2006 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe is to acquire all the shares in Radiotele Ltd., Zollikon (Zurich), from Bruno Oetterli and his co-shareholders. By taking this step, PubliGroupe is acting on its announced intention of marketing radio advertising and extending its activities for regional television. The group is therefore now active in the sale of advertising space for all the electronic media (TV, radio, cinema, online, Teletext, mobile). The purchase price has not been disclosed.
16.05.2006 - Lausanne
At their Ordinary General Meeting held today in Lausanne, shareholders of PubliGroupe Ltd. accepted all the proposals of the Board of Directors.
29.03.2006 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe achieved a good operating result (EBIT) of CHF 72 million (2004: CHF 76 million) on stable or slightly declining markets, while devoting substantial resources to the development of new activities within the group in the electronic and online media.
10.02.2006 - Basel/Lausanne
Basler Zeitung Medien and PubliGroupe confirmed their long-term partnership and their aim to jointly meet the challenges presented in particular to regional press by the advertising markets. Within the parameters of this partnership, Basler Zeitung (baz) and the group’s four local newspapers Allschwiler Wochenblatt, Birsfelder Anzeiger, Muttenzer&Prattler Anzeiger and Reinacher Zeitung, renewed their exclusive agreement with Publicitas in the field of advertising sales.
22.12.2005 - Lausanne
- Shareholders’ equity (group's interest) as at December 31, 2004, increased significantly as a result of the application of IFRS: it rises from CHF 381 million to CHF 515 million (+ 35%). This is mainly attributable to certain assets being reported at market value rather than at their historical or acquisition cost, as was previously the case. - The presentation of the operating result (EBIT) is modified slightly and will now include real estate income as well as the extraordinary result. The operating result therefore increases from CHF 67 million to CHF 76 million (+ 14%). - The new accounting standards have only a marginal impact on the group net result for 2004, which rises 7% from CHF 53 million to CHF 56 million. It is expected to be significantly higher in 2005, mainly due to the increase in the value of the securities portfolio.
25.11.2005 - Zurich
PubliDirect, the “directories” division of PubliGroupe, is about to launch a search engine to meet the requirements of local markets throughout Switzerland, in cooperation with its joint venture partner Swisscom Directories. www.local.ch will go online in the first half of 2006.
14.11.2005 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe is to set up a new Management Committee for the “Publicitas Promotion Network” to strengthen its international activities. This new management structure will be headed by Hans-Peter Rohner, CEO of PubliGroupe.
28.09.2005 - Lausanne
Prof. Dr. Fritz Schuhmacher, since 1992 member of the Board of Directors of PubliGroupe Ltd. and its Vice-Chairman since 1995, has resigned from the Board with immediate effect citing personal reasons.
29.08.2005 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe continues to invest in electronic media and new online activities while strengthening profitability of its core business.
17.07.2005 - Lausanne/Zurich
PubliGroupe has expanded its share of the equity capital in The Guide Company, Zurich, from the 30% acquired in July 2004 to 64%. The residual shares (36%) will remain in the hands of the shareholders who previously held the majority stake in the company. No information was disclosed regarding the price of the acquisition.
17.07.2005 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe has expanded its share of the equity capital in The Guide Company, Zurich, from the 30% acquired in July 2004 to 64%. The residual shares (36%) will remain in the hands of the shareholders who previously held the majority stake in the company. No information was disclosed regarding the price of the acquisition.
28.06.2005 - Baden, Lausanne and Solothurn
The established Mittelland Zeitung model for success is to expand. Four media houses, the AZ Medien Group (Aargauer Zeitung), Vogt-Schild Group (Solothurner Zeitung), Dietschi AG (Oltner Tagblatt) and Zofinger Tagblatt AG (Zofinger Tagblatt), decided to continue their successful cooperative efforts for an indefinite period. The AZ Medien Group, Vogt-Schild Group and PubliGroupe/Publicitas are strengthening their strategic positions in the rapidly changing Swiss media and print market through investments, cooperation agreements and the use of synergies: In two steps, the AZ Medien Group will take over the PubliGroupe’s 35 percent interest in Vogt-Schild Holding AG. The AZ Medien Group will transfer the management of advertising space for its newspaper business to Publicitas. The AZ Medien Group and the Vogt-Schild Group decided to combine their printing activities.
16.06.2005 - Zurich, Lausanne
• NZZ subsidiary Freie Presse Holding (FPH) acquires a 40% stake in Akeret AG and a 20% stake in Zürichsee Presse AG • PubliGroupe in exchange acquires an 11% stake in FPH
04.05.2005 - Lausanne
02.05.2005 - Lausanne/Zurich
Fast growth in demand for Publicitas electronic service tools confirms strategy
23.03.2005 - Lausanne
Improved revenues connected with savings from productivity increases generated a 96% advance in operating result to CHF 67 million (2003: CHF 34 million). After falling for three years in succession, sales grew by 2% in 2004, while operating expenditure on comparable basis decreased by CHF 17 million. All group divisions improved their results. - At CHF 11 million, the financial result is back to normal, but clearly missed the previous year's result - (2003: CHF 43 million), which benefited from extraordinary financial income of some CHF 30 million. - The result before taxes rose by 11% to CHF 83 million (2003: CHF 75 million). It was first and foremost the outcome of the group’s operating activities. Due to significantly higher taxes (+ 222%), the group net result decreased to CHF 53 million (2003: CHF 58 million). - The very healthy structure of the PubliGroupe result and balance sheet allows to propose the distribution of a dividend raised to CHF 9 per share, equivalent to a distribution rate of 41%.
10.02.2005 - Lausanne
Substantial progress for PubliGroupe’s business operations –Advertising markets are overall improving, but become more and more volatile
19.01.2005 - Lausanne/Zurich
New competence center for classified intermedia advertising in newspapers and on-line media
12.01.2005 - Lausanne
In recent months, PubliGroupe has performed an in-depth analysis of its IT structures in order to make sure that they are perfectly appropriate to the evolution of its future activities, while remaining as economical as possible.
30.08.2004 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe reports strong improvement in its operating result in the first half of 2004 PubliGroupe’s operating result in the first six months of 2004 (CHF 36 million) rose by 62%, with sales (CHF 986 million) marginally higher than last year. The financial result no longer includes any exceptional revenue items and has reverted to a normal level (CHF 9 million / - 54%). After taxes, which are CHF 6.5 million higher, the consolidated net profit of CHF 32.5 million is identical to that reported last year for the same period. The outlook for the full year 2004 is overall likewise positive.
13.07.2004 - Lausanne/Zurich
PubliGroupe is taking a 30% stake in publisher The Guide Company, Zurich, with which PubliGroupe already cooperates through its subsidiary LTV Yellow Pages Ltd. The Guide Company produces and sells structured contents for print and electronic media, specializing in events and entertainment, recreation and tourism. It employs ten people and has revenues of around CHF 2 million. No information was disclosed regarding the purchase price.
08.07.2004 - Lausanne/Zurich
PubliGroupe is acquiring all shares of the Cinecom companies in Switzerland from majority shareholder Peter Gmür and the other remaining shareholders. In Switzerland the Cinecom Group markets cinema advertising (Cinecom AG), as well as T.V. advertising where its main focus is Sat. 1 (Cinecom & Media AG). The transaction does not affect Cinecom Austria. No information is being disclosed regarding the purchase price.
06.07.2004 - Lausanne
The NZZ-Group and PubliGroupe, which already have joint relations through holdings in publishing houses and in the area of media sales, have decided to further strengthen their existing ties.
13.05.2004 - Lausanne
31.03.2004 - Lausanne
Consolidated net profit CHF 58 million versus loss of CHF 30 million in 2002. Drop in sales of 10% attributed to the downturn in press advertising (- 10% for PubliPresse and - 8% for Publicitas Promotion Network), which faced a difficult economic environment for the third year in a row. Operating profit rises to CHF 34 million (2002: CHF 41 million) led by record results of PubliDirect, whose sales were 3% higher, and substantial cost reductions in other sectors of the group business. All the divisions are therefore in profit despite the worst economic environment seen in 30 years. Financial result of CHF 43 millions (2002: CHF - 5 million) benefited from rising stock prices and higher group net liquidity. Further strengthening of balance sheet, net liquidity rose to CHF 18 million from CHF 87 million. Dividend of CHF 8.- per share to be proposed to shareholders at the next general meeting
11.02.2004 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe emerges strengthened from the advertising downturn
01.09.2003 - Lausanne
First half 2003: positive overall for PubliGroupe
28.05.2003 - Lausanne
10.04.2003 - Lausanne
The consolidated balance sheet has been strengthened by a financial year which saw the group focus once again on its basic activities and adapt its structures to a difficult economic environment, which is set to continue in 2003. No dividend will be proposed to the Annual General Meeting of 28 May 2003. PubliGroupe returned to profit at the operational level in 2002: the operating result stood at CHF 41 million and the operational cash flow at CHF 45 million.
01.02.2003 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe is continuing its recovery in an economic environment which remains difficult and has brought a 13% fall in sales for the business activities that have been maintained. The operating result is positive again. It will increase by CHF 70 million and exceed CHF 40 million. Adjustments of the value of equities in the portfolio made necessary by the trend of the financial markets and goodwill depreciation on foreign minority shareholding interests bring an estimated consolidated loss of CHF 30 million.
17.12.2002 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe SA (SWX: PUBN) is to exchange its 25% stake in Presse Publications SR SA, the holding company for Edipresse SA's Swiss activities, against 13% of the share capital (6.1% of the votes) of Edipresse SA (SWX: EDI). The shareholder relationships between the two groups thereby become simpler and more transparent. This transaction also reflects the two groups' desire to strengthen their partnership and extend it to international markets.
06.11.2002 - Lausanne
Business directories in North Germany. PubliGroupe maintains a minority shareholding interest in "G&J Medien Vertrieb GmbH", reduced from 40% to 24.9%, and welcomes the arrival of a new majority partner who will give a fresh boost to the directories, which have been successfully launched in the past four years in Hamburg, Hanover and Bremen.
27.09.2002 - Lausanne
PubliPresse (Publicitas, Publimedia, Publimag and Mosse Media), the largest division of PubliGroupe, today launches its "Fit for the Future" programme. This is planned as part of our fundamental review of structures and processes in face of the continuing decline in advertising spend, as announced on September 2 this year.
02.09.2002 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe on the road to recovery in difficult markets
05.04.2002 - Lausanne
No dividend will be proposed to the General Meeting of 29 May 2002. A difficult economic environment, over-rapid and excessive developments in the online sector, together with the failure of our investment in the US "Panoramic Communications" advertising agency network, resulted in a consolidated net loss of CHF 185 million. The charges imputable to exceptional items and to companies which have either been divested or closed down stand at CHF 230 million. Had it not been for these non-recurring charges, which weigh equally on the operating profit and on the financial income and exceptional items, the group would have been able to report a positive result of CHF 45 million.
14.02.2002 - Lausanne
2001: The poor economic climate and extraordinary difficulties in online activities are responsible for an overall loss of around CHF 80 million. An additional CHF 105 million, invested in the American advertising agency group Panoramic Communications, have been written off and have to be added to that amount. This amortisation does not negatively affect shareholders’ equity nor does it diminish PubliGroupe’s determination to safeguard the value of this investment. The overall consolidated loss will thus amount to a total in the region of CHF 185 million.
03.12.2001 -
On 4 December 2001 PubliGroupe and Swisscom Mobile will launch a pilot project which will allow consumers to respond spontaneously via mobile phone to advertisements and information in classic media and make additional information available on their mobile and the Internet.
30.10.2001 - Lausanne
The accelerated slump in the advertising sector since September has negatively affected PubliGroupe. The Group is therefore revising its forecasts downward. The businesses to suffer most are online activities and the American advertising agency group Panoramic. The losses here will be greater than expected. The costs of restructuring these businesses and the cost of splitting off Real Media from PubliGroupe are also higher than expected. These extraordinary one-off costs will not recur in 2002. The company expects 2002 to be profit positive thanks to the solid traditional businesses of the group. Real Media Group has today merged with the American competitor 24/7 Media. In exchange, PubliGroupe will receive a 15.6% shareholding in the company. The cumulative effect of economic and one-off factors mean that PubliGroupe will report a significant loss for the year 2001.
04.09.2001 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe reported a net profit of CHF 8 million after a first half of 2001 which was adversely affected by a series of negative factor. This disappointing result is explained by the difficulties encountered by the PubliOnline Division and the Panoramic Communications Group. Appropriate measures have been put in hand to eliminate the sources of losses in 2002.
23.04.2001 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe acquired the leading Asian inflight media and entertainment group, Emphasis Custom Media, from Time Warner Inc. Together with the existing activities in this field, PubliGroupe becomes one of the leading advertisement sales organizations specializing in inflight media.
08.04.2001 - Lausanne
The financial year 2000 at PubliGroupe was marked by three salient features: strong growth of the results reported by the divisions active in the traditional press advertising and telephone directories business, major investments in the Group’s Internet competencies and activities, and the disposal of half its real estate assets.
19.02.2001 - Lausanne
All the group's business areas achieved two-figure growth in the financial year 2000, thanks to the highly efficient structures of the operational divisions, encouraged by a favourable economic environment. Sales of advertising space for the written press rose by 12% in Switzerland (PubliPresse Division) and by 21% on the international markets (Publicitas Promotion Network). The telephone and business directory sector (PubliDirect Division) advanced by 29%. These trends were ahead of expectations with better results than forecast for all three divisions; this in turn lessened the impact of higher costs for development of the PubliOnline Division (in particular Real Media), whose sales once again tripled. PubliGroupe expects to make a consolidated net profit of around CHF 130 million in 2000.
22.12.2000 - Lausanne
epb.comunications, Inc. (epb or the Company) is a diversified network of twelve operating companies, encompassing traditional advertising and public relations capabilities, marketing services and on-line, new media services. The company forecasts FY 2000 consolidated gross revenue exceeding USD 1.2 billion and net revenue of USD 95 million.
03.11.2000 - Lausanne
Swisscom AG is transferring its shares in Swisscom Directories AG (51%) and PubliDirect Holding AG (49%) to Bluewin AG, continuing its consolidation of the customer-oriented online services (Business-to-Customer) under the Bluewin umbrella. The transfer will make it possible for Bluewin and PubliGroupe to substantially expand their joint range of online directory services. The transfer has already been approved by the Swiss Federal Competition Commission
07.09.2000 - Lausanne
All of the group's traditional business areas experienced two-figure growth, increasing turnover by 19% (CHF 1,337 million) and gross margin by 25% (CHF 279 million). The group's developments and investments in the online sector forged ahead: in the PubliOnline division, the turnover increased from CHF 10 to 50 million, while the workforce rose from 147 to 665 employees. This fast development illustrates the aim of the group to take a strong position in these new communication channels. It affected, however, the consolidated net profit by CHF 25 million. Not taking into account the effect of the online business, the group's operating income would have increased by 50%. Affected by investments made in developing these new activities, operating income fell from CHF 45 to 37 million (- 16%). Financial income (CHF 91 million) included an exceptional profit of CHF 76 million from the sale in January 2000 of nearly half the group's property assets to PSP Swiss Property AG.
05.07.2000 - Lausanne
The print and publishing house Gruner + Jahr AG & Co., part of the Bertelsmann Group, and the Swiss PubliGroupe Ltd. will jointly develop the business telephone directories activities in northern Germany. PubliGroupe has therefore acquired a 40% share in G+J Medien-Vertrieb GmbH, which produces the directory Hamburger Branchen. This strategic partnership is based on PubliGroupe's know how in the directories business and on the regional expertise of Gruner + Jahr. It represents for PubliGroupe a further step towards internationalisation in this activity.
26.05.2000 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe SA (Lausanne), United Internet AG (Montabaur / Germany) and - as service partner - Eurotax Holding AG (Freienbach) have jointly launched a European automotive Internet Portal named car4you.
19.04.2000 - Lausanne
Strong rise in operating income (+ 26%) and exceptional growth of financial income (+ 195%) following the sale of shareholding interests in billboard advertising. Dividend of CHF 25.- (+ 108%) proposed to the General Meeting of 30 May 2000.
01.03.2000 - Lausanne
MMD Multimedia Development Ltd, which belongs to PubliGroupe, and delta Consulting Group AG have initiated their merger. Together, the two companies are the Swiss market leader among e-business service firms with over 120 employees in six locations. PubliGroupe owns 75% of the new company, giving it the equity majority of the Swiss number one.
25.02.2000 - Lausanne
16.02.2000 - Lausanne
The 8% increase in PubliGroupe sales was achieved thanks to internal growth of its PubliPresse (+ 9%) and Publicitas Promotion Network (+ 9%) divisions, both specialized in the promotion and sale of print advertising in Switzerland and abroad. The PubliDirect division (telephone directories) reported a 20% decline in sales, tracing to the reorganization of its product range, which includes the Yellow Pages, following the entry into force of the joint venture with Swisscom. Revenue from its print products, published at an unchanged schedule, increased by over 9%. The PubliOnline division saw its turnover increase threefold, in line with expectations.
08.02.2000 - Lausanne
Real Media, Inc. files for initial public offering
25.01.2000 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe S.A., Lausanne, is going to transfer a part of its real estate property portfolio, with an estimated market value of over CHF 200 million, to PSP Swiss Property. Within the framework of this transaction, PubliGroupe S.A. becomes a shareholder in PSP Swiss Property, which in turn raises its share capital.
05.11.1999 - Lausanne
23.09.1999 - Lausanne
The trend of PubliGroupe's results reflects the strength of its different business areas. The improvement of the operating profit (CHF 44.6 million/ + 31%) is due as much to the persistence of a favourable economic environment as to the new structures put in place on 1 January 1999 in both divisions PubliPresse (merger of the Publicitas and ofa networks) and PubliDirect (joint venture with Swisscom). After two years of very strong growth, the international Publicitas Promotion Network continues to report a high level of performance while entering a phase of consolidation. The PubliOnline division is living up to expectations by tripling its sales and securing promising strategic positions for the group. The financial income (CHF 23 million / + 21%) has substantially contributed to the group's net profit.
01.09.1999 - Lausanne
08.06.1999 - Lausanne
29.04.1999 - Lausanne
In 1998, PubliGroupe reported a net profit of CHF 76.8 million (+ 32%). All its business areas are growing and contributing to the strong growth of its operating profit (+ 76%). A dividend of CHF 12.- (+ 50%) will be proposed to the General Meeting of 9 June 1999.
18.02.1999 - Lausanne
The 7% sales increase was reported in a favourable economic environment, which enabled internal growth of 6.5% to be achieved. Several acquisitions made abroad during the financial year also contributed to this result. The impact of these acquisitions on sales is estimated at an additional 0.5%. Currency fluctuations were a negligible factor.
10.09.1998 - Lausanne/Bern
PubliGroupe and Swisscom have decided to consolidate their co-operation in the publication and marketing of directories. Existing products will henceforth be developed jointly, drawing on the specific know-how of both companies. To achieve this, PubliGroupe and Swisscom will channel all their activities in this field into one stock company each, with the other partner taking a minority share. The co-operation will be registered with the competition authorities and is due to start operating on 1 January 1999.
PubliGroupe moves from Main Standard to Domestic Standard of SIX Swiss Exchange
The shares of PubliGroupe Ltd will be traded from 2 May 2012 onwards in accordance with the Domestic Standard of SIX Swiss Exchange. The last trading day in accordance with the Main Standard was 30 April 2012. SIX Swiss Exchange approved the request by PubliGroupe to change the regulatory standard.
25.04.2012 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe's Annual General Meeting approves all Board proposals
The 121th Annual General Meeting of PubliGroupe Ltd, held on 25 April 2012, approved all of the Board of Directors' proposals by a clear majority. The proposals of zCapital Ltd (Zug, Switzerland) for the cancellation of the statutory registration and voting rights restriction were rejected. The AGM approved the annual report 2011, granted discharge to the Members of the Board of Directors and agreed to distribute CHF 6.- per share for 2011, which will be paid as of 3 May 2012. Hans-Peter Rohner was re-elected for a statutory period of three years and confirmed in his function as Chairman. Peter Brunner was re-elected for a term of one year.
03.04.2012 - Lausanne
Leading European digital marketing specialist Arndt Groth as new CEO of PubliGroupe
PubliGroupe has concluded the CEO search process and appointed Arndt Groth (47) as its new CEO. Arndt Groth is a proven expert in the area of online marketing who played a lead role in the European expansion of Adconion into one of the largest independent, global marketing networks. He will be the successor to Hans-Peter Rohner and take over as of 1 September 2012. Hans-Peter Rohner shall remain at the disposal of PubliGroupe as Chairman of the Board, subject to re-election at the Annual General Meeting on 25 April 2012.
30.03.2012 - Lausanne/New York/London/Berlin
PubliGroupe forms partnership with leading demand-side platform provider MediaMath
PubliGroupe, a Swiss-based provider of marketing and media sales services, today signed a joint-venture agreement with MediaMath, the leading demand-side platform (DSP) provider that caters to marketers’ media buying needs. The partners have formed a new dedicated company in Berlin, Spree7 GmbH, to serve the markets of Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH). Spree7 will offer state-of-the-art media buying services to advertisers and agencies based on the industry-awarded MediaMath technology. The unit will launch its operations by Mid-April.
09.03.2012 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe with a net result of CHF 14.6 million in 2011 – good results in the online and Search & Find business only partly able to compensate for the unsatisfactory result in Media Sales
PubliGroupe posted a net result of CHF 14.6 million in 2011 after CHF 42.6 million in the previous year. The reported operating result (EBIT) largely corresponds to the previous year at CHF 30.5 million (2010: CHF 32.6 million.) A disappointing result in Media Sales with negative operating figures overshadowed the otherwise good operating performance by Search & Find and Digital & Marketing Services. The Board of Directors will propose to the General Meeting of Shareholders an unchanged distribution of CHF 6.
22.12.2011 - Lausanne
"12 Marketing Trends 2012" – PubliGroupe starts debate about the most important marketing trends – available on iPad and group website
"12 Marketing Trends 2012" looks at the effectiveness of marketing, starting up a discussion about the most important trends for the year 2012. “MME” is now available in three language versions (German, English, French) – either as an app for iPad that can be downloaded from the Apple Store (MME 12 Trends), or on the PubliGroupe website.
01.12.2011 - Lausanne
Strategic decisions at PubliGroupe: local.ch and Zanox remain online growth drivers, further optimisation steps at Publicitas; partial sale of the real estate portfolio, reporting in Swiss GAAP FER, end of H. P. Rohner’s double mandate
PubliGroupe is initiating strategic measures to sustainably strengthen its competitive position in an increasingly digital market environment.
At the Investors’ Day in Zurich, the Group will present decisions aimed at securing its profitability for the long term. The sale of a majority of the real estate portfolio as well as change of the accounting standards are planned for 2012.
CEO Hans-Peter Rohner will be relinquishing his double mandate as of the 2012 General Assembly and concentrating on his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
For 2011, PubliGroupe is projecting less profit than originally anticipated due to the more subdued market environment for Media Sales and its traditional print business. Search & Find with local.ch and the key participation.
29.08.2011 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe shows net profit for the first half of 2011 of CHF 14.9 million – Improved operating result (EBIT) – Again higher online revenue
PubliGroupe posted a net result of CHF 14.9 million in the first half of 2011. The operating result (EBIT) improved from CHF 11.3 million to CHF 13.8 million. While overall business volume declined by 11%, the online business increased by 8% (+20% at constant exchange rates). Media Sales reported lower revenues, although the traditional Swiss Publicitas branch network reaffirms operational turnaround. Search & Find had solid results, remaining the main contributor to overall profits. Digital & Marketing Services (DMS) and in particular Zanox had a very strong first half year with a significantly higher EBIT contribution – despite the considerable drop of the euro against the Swiss franc.
13.07.2011 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe strengthens digital expertise with Yves-Alain Schwaar
PubliGroupe continues to expand its digital expertise at the group level by filling the newly created position of Head of Digital Development with Yves-Alain Schwaar, who comes to PubliGroupe from the Geneva agency Digital Luxury Group (formerly IC-Agency). Together with Mike Weber, Head of Strategic Projects, Yves-Alain Schwaar is responsible for the realisation of new, especially digital growth projects at the group level.
01.07.2011 - Lausanne
Thomas Kaiser leaves PubliGroupe – Digital & Marketing Services business segment under new leadership; digital expansion continues
Following five years of successful development efforts, Thomas Kaiser, CEO of the business segment Digital & Marketing Services (DMS) and Deputy CEO of the Group, is leaving PubliGroupe on his own accord as of the end of August 2011 in order to take on a new role with a Swiss media company. Andreas Schönenberger, former Country Manager of Google Switzerland and since April 2010 a Member of the PubliGroupe Board of Directors, will oversee the Group’s interests at Zanox, the largest online company within the Group. Along with his current role as CFO of DMS, Renato Martignoni will take on expanded management responsibility as the newly appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the business segment. On the Group level, the additional position of Head of Digital Development is being created.
10.06.2011 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe sells stake in Chinese advertising sales group City Media
PubliGroupe sells its 12% share in Chinese advertising sales group City Media to Jining RedBridge Technology Venture Capital Co., Ltd. and Nan’an RedBridge Venture Capital Co., Ltd.
01.06.2011 - Lausanne
Publicitas enters into a comprehensive cooperative agreement with JANZZ.com; PubliGroupe acquires a 5 per cent stake
PubliGroupe acquires a 5 per cent stake in the 4uGroup, owner of the online knowledge platform JANZZ.com launched in December 2010 whose subscriptions and business solutions will be sold by Publicitas. Beat Roeschlin, CEO of Publicitas and member of PubliGroupe’s general management, joins 4uGroup’s board of directors.
26.05.2011 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe continues to divest non-strategic assets, selling stake in Huashang Interactive Media in China
PubliGroupe sells its 17% stake in Huashang Interactive Media, the Internet division of the China-based Huashang Media Group, to Xi’an Huashang YingDa Startup Investment Co. Ltd, which is a subsidiary of the parent company Huashang Media Group.
17.05.2011 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe sells Emphasis Video Entertainment, Hong Kong, to Advanced Inflight Alliance
PubliGroupe sells its subsidiary Emphasis Video Entertainment to Advanced Inflight Alliance, an internationally operating Munich-based company specialized in inflight entertainment.
03.05.2011 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe's Annual General Meeting approves all Board proposals. Christian Wenger elected to the Board of Directors.
The 120th Annual General Meeting of PubliGroupe Ltd, held on 3 May 2011, approved all of the Board of Directors' proposals by a clear majority. The AGM approved the annual report 2010, granted discharge to the Members of the Board of Directors and agreed to distribute a dividend of CHF 6.- per share for 2010, which will be paid as of 10 May 2011.
12.04.2011 - Lausanne
Invitation to the ordinary general meeting and annual report 2010 online
The invitation to the ordinary general meeting of PubliGroupe on 3 May 2011 is published today in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC). From 12 April 2011, the invitation with the agenda and 2010 annual report are available at www.publigroupe.com.
04.04.2011 - Zurich
PubliGroupe strengthens key account management in the print and digital sectors – expanded range of services with new Publimedia
The company currently operating under the name Publicitas Publimedia is merging with web2com, another PubliGroupe company, the specialist in digital marketing. This pooling of expertise will lead to more effective exploitation of synergies within the individual group companies, particularly in the areas of print and online, whereby the existing services of Publimedia and web2com will continue to be offered. Along with comprehensive consulting expertise, the new Publimedia bundles various advisory services within a newly developed platform. The new Head of Publimedia is Andreas Gedenk. At the beginning of May 2011, the new Publimedia will take up operations with 35 employees.
18.03.2011 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe confirms its return to profitability: net profit 2010 of CHF 42.6 million – Resumption of dividend payment
PubliGroupe posted a net result of CHF 42.6 million in 2010. This return to profitability is due to the positive earnings contribution made by all three currently active business segments. Operational improvements and new agreements with media partners have enabled a faster turnaround than planned, especially in classic media marketing. The Search & Find segment, which focuses on clients in local markets, delivered the largest contribution to group earnings. Great progress was made across all segments of the highly promising digital services business, with overall growth of 33%. The Board of Directors is proposing a dividend of CHF 6 to the General Meeting.
30.11.2010 - Publigroupe
PubliGroupe names Beat Werder as new Head of Corporate Communications
PubliGroupe appoints Beat Werder (43) as the new Head of Corporate Communications as per 1 December 2010. The Head of Corporate Communications is in charge of internal and external communications of the group. He will be based in Lausanne and Zurich.
08.11.2010 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe to focus on three business segments from 2011
- Strategic focus on Search & Find, Digital & Marketing Services and Media Sales
- Custom Publishing will cease to form an independent business segment
- Monica Woo, CEO Custom Publishing, to leave PubliGroupe at the end of 2010
19.10.2010 - Bern, Lausanne
Edi Bähler to become CEO of the “Search & Find” joint venture companies of PubliGroupe and Swisscom
PubliGroupe and Swisscom are placing their joint venture companies LTV Yellow Pages AG/home.ch and Swisscom Directories AG/Local.ch AG under joint management. This streamlining should facilitate a more dynamic development while simplifying decision-making processes and generally strengthening market focus. Synergies will be exploited more effectively and performance and services will be further improved to the benefit of users and customers. The appointment of Edi Bähler as CEO is the first step towards this unified approach. He will take over operational management on 15 November 2010.
19.10.2010 - Lausanne
Jean-Pascal Michel, CEO LTV Yellow Pages, leaves PubliGroupe
PubliGroupe and Swisscom today announced the organizational and strategic reorientation of their successful joint venture companies. LTV Yellow Pages and Swisscom Directories/local.ch are being placed under unified management and on 15 November 2010 will gain a new joint CEO - Edi Bähler.
30.08.2010 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe returns to profitability
PubliGroupe is showing increasing signs of recovery: For the first half of 2010 the Group has reported an operating result (EBIT) of CHF 12.4 million (2009: CHF -3.5 million) and a net result of CHF 27.1 million (2009: CHF -8.5 million). Figures are also in the black before taking non-recurring items into account: operating profit was CHF 7.9 million (2009: CHF -12.3 million) and net income CHF 7.5 million (2009: CHF -12.5 million). The recovery is based on substantial additional cost savings, a significantly reduced operating loss in Media Sales as well as acquisitive and organic growth in online services. The return to profitable growth was achieved thanks to progress made on all PubliGroupe's different strategic initiatives. Positive results are also expected for the full year.
07.07.2010 - Bern, Lausanne
"Search & Find" joint venture companies of Swisscom and PubliGroupe aim to strengthen cooperation
Partner firms Swisscom and PubliGroupe have decided to align the management of their joint venture companies PubliDirect/LTV Yellow Pages AG and Swisscom Directories AG more closely. This will allow the businesses to maintain growth by capitalizing on the most appropriate opportunities in the local search market, which is currently characterised by rapid technological development and increasing competition from national and international rivals. An intense cooperation under a planned joint management will also generate significant cost and development synergies. However, implementation of the joint management structure still requires authorization from the Competition Commission.
19.05.2010 - Lausanne
Mike A. Weber is new Head of Strategic Projects at PubliGroupe
Mike A. Weber is taking over the role of Head of Strategic Projects within the Corporate Development Team at PubliGroupe with immediate effect.
03.05.2010 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe extends market position of its business segment "Digital & Marketing Services" in Switzerland
PubliGroupe AG is acquiring a 75% majority stake in INSTANZ AG, a Swiss online performance marketing pioneer. Founders Andi Hess and Marc Pittner are retaining a 25% shareholding in the group and will continue to manage the business together with third founder Mirjam Gschank.
30.04.2010 - Lausanne
The Swiss Federal Administrative Court has confirmed a decision made by the Competition Commission in March 2007
The Swiss Federal Administrative Court has confirmed a decision made by the Competition Commission in March 2007 that included an administrative penalty of CHF 2.5 million, which was imposed at the end of an investigation concerning guidelines for commission payments by Publicitas to professional agents.
27.04.2010 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe's AGM approves all Board proposals
Kjell Aamot and Andreas Schönenberger elected to the Board of Directors
26.04.2010 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe sells its stake in Edipresse
PubliGroupe has sold its entire 19.9% stake in Edipresse. A 17.9% parcel of shares will be taken over by Edipresse's majority shareholder, Lamunière SA, by 25 May 2010.
19.03.2010 - Lausanne
2009 results and outlook
Rigorous implementation of the business segment strategy, dedicated cost reductions, and significant growth in online business helped to limit the impact of the decline in press advertising and of the resulting operating loss in traditional media marketing.
– Sharp decline in marketing of press advertising causes revenue to fall 24.1% to CHF 1.6 billion and the gross margin to slip by CHF 84.2 million (-18.9%)
– Operating loss limited to CHF -4.5 million thanks to massive cost savings of CHF 55.1 million and positive results by the business segments that operate in growth markets
– Net loss comes to CHF -20.9 million (2008: CHF -42.1 million) – Balance sheet remains solid, with equity ratio of 43.4%. Net debt reduced by CHF 20 million to CHF 165 million.
– Better group result expected for 2010 thanks to additional cost savings of CHF 38 million and the continued successful development of the Search & Find and Digital & Marketing Services business segments
– Divestments of non-strategic assets reduce debt and increase scope for further development of growth businesses.
01.03.2010 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe and Axel Springer acquire AOL's subsidiary Buy.at
Market leadership in online affiliate marketing in the UK
08.02.2010 - Basel
Basler Zeitung Medien sold to private investors
- The Hagemann family and PubliGroupe are selling their shares in "National Zeitung und Basler Nachrichten AG" to Dr. Tito Tettamanti and Basel-based media lawyer Martin Wagner.
- The Basler Zeitung (BaZ) remains an autonomous and independent Basel newspaper.
- Martin Wagner is becoming the new Chairman of the Board of Directors and Publisher of the BaZ; Matthias Hagemann remains on the Board.
- BZM is made up of 14 independent companies and 2 major interests.
02.02.2010 - Lausanne
Departure from PubliGroupe Board of Directors
Michaela Stöckli, who has been a Member of the Board of Directors of PubliGroupe since 2004 has announced that new professional obligations mean she will be stepping down from the Board at the General Meeting of Shareholders at the end of April 2010.
07.12.2009 - Zurich
NZZ Mediengruppe and Publicitas Ltd. renew strategic partnership
NZZ Mediengruppe and PubliGroupe/Publicitas Ltd. are renewing their strategic partnership in print media sales.
04.12.2009 - Lausanne
Beat Roeschlin appointed new CEO of Publicitas
Robert Schmidli, who has been CEO of Publicitas/Media Sales since January 2008 and who has worked for the group with great success for 13 years, has for personal reasons asked the Board of Directors of PubliGroupe to end his contract of employment in 2010.
24.08.2009 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe: first half affected by the recession and weaker results of Media Sales which is undergoing in-depth transformation
- Growth of online services maintained
- Operating loss (EBIT) CHF -3.5 million; net loss CHF -8.5 million at the height of the worst crisis of the last 50 years
04.08.2009 - Lausanne
Axel Springer and PubliGroupe acquire majority interest in Digital Window
Joint venture acquires 50.1% equity interest in British affiliate network
29.04.2009 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe's AGM approves all Board proposals
Hans-Peter Rohner appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors
13.03.2009 - Lausanne
Operating result positive overall in 2008 – Advertising markets and Media Sales-Publicitas hit hard by the financial and economic crisis – Amortizations of goodwill and financial assets explain the net loss of CHF - 42.1 million
- EBIT of CHF 40 million thanks to the positive results of the business segments Search & Find, Digital & Marketing Services and Custom Publishing and to a gain made on the sale of real estate assets.
- Net loss of CHF - 42.1 million caused by the worsening results of Media Sales-Publicitas, goodwill amortizations totalling CHF 33.8 million, including CHF 28.9 million at Media Sales and fall in the stock market value of the 19.9% interest in Edipresse and 1.4% in Tamedia which has a CHF 44.7 million impact on the result.
- These trends have been confirmed in the early part of 2009: the downturn in press advertising is continuing and activities in the online field are still growing strongly. Cost structures are being permanently adjusted to the trend of declining business activities, while investments in growth activities continue.
- The group already achieves 14% of its gross margin in the online/digital segment with sales up 23% at CHF 123 million. This makes PubliGroupe a leading player in this particular field in Switzerland. These figures do not include zanox (47.5% interest) whose sales stand at CHF 322 million (+23.5%).
- Media Sales-Publicitas has changed its business model to create a fresh dynamic on markets which are undergoing far-reaching changes.
- Dividend of CHF 3.50 (2007: CHF 13.-) gross per share paid out in PubliGroupe shares.
09.03.2009 - Berlin/Lausanne
Axel Springer and PubliGroupe create optimal conditions for the further development of ZANOX.de AG and adjust shareholding percentages
02.03.2009 - Lausanne
Edipresse and Publicitas redefine their partnership
On 1 January 2010, Edipresse will take over the management of advertising sales for all its own titles. Publicitas will remain a preferred partner of Edipresse
26.01.2009 - Lausanne
Member resigns from the Board of Directors of PubliGroupe Ltd.
Felix Weber has announced that for personal reasons he is resigning from the Board of Directors of PubliGroupe Ltd. with immediate effect.
21.01.2009 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe sells Stadtanzeiger Olten to AZ Medien
PubliGroupe has sold 100% of the capital of Stadtanzeiger Olten AG to AZ Medien AG, Aarau. Stadtanzeiger Olten AG publishes the free weekly paper of the same name in the Olten region. The newspaper has a print run of around 49,000. PubliGroupe's company Publicitas will continue to have exclusive responsibility for marketing Stadtanzeiger Olten.
19.12.2008 - Lausanne
A change of generation at PubliGroupe
Philippe Pidoux, the longstanding Chairman of the Board of Directors, is to step down on the date of the 2009 AGM – CEO Hans-Peter Rohner proposed as his successor - Thomas Kaiser, CEO Digital & Marketing Services, to become PubliGroupe's new Deputy Chief Executive Officer on 1 May 2009
04.11.2008 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe feels the effects of economic downturn
Intensification of ongoing cost reduction program – 2008 annual results well below expectations – Publicitas reviews its business model
25.08.2008 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe: Strong growth in digital and international business – Decline in Swiss advertising market
- 42.7% growth in digital and electronic media (92.3% including zanox); international business grows by 46.1% (72.2% including zanox)
- Revenue increases by 3.1%, 7.7% including zanox; like-for-like sales fall by 7.2%
- Media Sales successfully transformed, but results well below expectations so far in a difficult environment
- EBIT improves by 65.5 % to CHF 61.9 million thanks to profit on property disposal
- Net result falls 24.8 % to CHF 43.9 million
24.06.2008 - Lausanne
Divestment gain for PubliGroupe from property sale in Zurich
PubliGroupe has sold its property at Holbeinstrasse 22/30 in Zurich, which was built in 1961 and extended in 1972 to Züblin Immo Ltd., a subsidiary of Züblin Ltd.
23.06.2008 - Lausanne and Munich
PubliGroupe takes a stake in German online entertainment network Fantastic Zero
PubliGroupe is taking an investment stake in German online entertainment network Fantastic Zero (FZ). PubliGroupe is buying 39% of the company's capital from a subsidiary of Wunder Media GmbH and has an option from majority shareholder Holtzbrinck eLAB to acquire a majority stake. The transaction will go ahead once approval has been granted by the German competition authorities. Munich company Fantastic Zero was founded in 2007. It is one of the first vertical network in Germany to develop and bundle high-end entertainment websites (gaming, film, technology and music) and then sell advertising space on them. Under its "Fantastic Zero" label the company reaches its young, male target group with little waste coverage.
19.06.2008 -
Constitution of PubliGroupe's Board of Directors
At its first meeting since the company's AGM on 30 April 2008, the Board of Directors of PubliGroupe constituted itself as follows:
30.04.2008 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe's AGM approves all Board proposals
Clear rejection of move to lift statutory registration and voting rights restriction.
08.04.2008 - Lausanne
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.
19.03.2008 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe makes the leap into the future
- Sales and profits increase in 2007
- Large investments in growth as international and multimedia group
- Dividend rises from CHF 12 to CHF 13
- Double-digit increases in sales and earnings this year
15.02.2008 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe buys Denon Group
Globalization of the previously Asia-focused Custom Publishing Division
21.01.2008 - Lausanne
Further expansion of PubliGroupe’s market presence in China
Strategic alliance with "Huashang Interactive Media", the Internet division of a major Chinese media group.
20.12.2007 - Lausanne and Zürich
Publicitas and Tamedia to enter into new Agency Agreement
Publicitas and Tamedia have entered into a new agency agreement, which will take effect 1 January 2008. The agreement incorporates recent developments in advertising management services, especially due to new competitors on the Internet, and replaces the current agreement of the year 2005.
20.12.2007 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe strengthens market presence in China
Strategic alliance with leading Chinese advertising sales group “City Media”.
19.12.2007 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe moves forward with internationalization
Acquisition of leading Dutch marketing and media services company.
15.11.2007 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe expands its local directories/Yellow Pages activities in France
PubliGroupe acquires 100% of the capital of the French companies Bégécom, based in Nîmes, and Annuaires Téléphoniques de Bretagne (ATB), based in Lorient, which publish telephone directories/Yellow Pages in Lyon and in 13 other urban areas in South East, South and West France. The Bégécom/ATB Group reports annual sales worth EUR 6 million and employs 60 persons.
31.10.2007 - Berne/Lausanne
Cooperation between Swisscom and PubliGroupe in the "Search & Find Online" domain
Swisscom and PubliGroupe have been cooperating in Switzerland since 1999 in a joint venture for the publication and commercialization of printed and online directories. Alongside printed products for which demand remains very high, the services offered by the Internet and mobile telephone platforms are becoming increasingly important; at the same time, however, they are exposed to strong and ever-growing competition, mostly of international origin. To be better equipped to take up the challenges presented by the intense competition between Internet platforms providing online directories and search engines for local information, the joint venture-partners, PubliDirect and Swisscom Directories, will continue their activities within the joint venture and intensify their cooperation in the area of "Search & Find Online" services.
26.09.2007 - Lausanne
New PubliGroupe General Management on 1 January 2008: full membership announced
The Board of Directors of PubliGroupe has appointed Mr. Christopher Blackwell (age 40 – British citizen) to the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO). He will take over responsibility for the Information & Communication Technology Department on 1 January 2008 from Mr. Jean-Paul Nicoulin. To ensure a smooth transition, Mr. Nicoulin will remain a member of the Group Management until 30 June 2008, before retiring at the end of 2008. The PubliGroupe General Management, aligned with the new PubliGroupe strategy, is therefore now complete.
12.09.2007 - Lausanne
Publicitas new single brand for the all-media sales activities of PubliGroupe.
“Media Sales”, the new all-media sales organisation defined in the strategic orientation of PubliGroupe, will develop its market activities with the brand Publicitas. 9 brands used today by PubliGroupe for media sales activities all over the world will progressively be merged into the traditional, but new designed Publicitas brand. This means that the current brands cinecom, Mosse, Publiconnect, Publimag, Publimedia, Publicitas Promotion Network, Radiotele and web2com will be merged with the brand Publicitas within the next 2 years. The new branding structure will be introduced starting Spring 2008.
12.09.2007 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe develops its media representation activity in Canada with the acquisition of APR Media Ltd.
PubliGroupe acquires 70% of the share capital of the Canadian company APR Media Ltd., which focuses in the sale of print and online media advertising. Based in Toronto and Vancouver, APR Media Ltd. generates an annual sales volume of CHF 24 million with a representation portfolio of many of the leading American publishers in the fields of newspapers, magazines and websites. The company employs 12 persons.
27.08.2007 - Lausanne
Interim report for the period ending 30 june 2007
PubliGroupe reports good growth on volatile markets and in an increasingly competitive environment
- 4.2% increase in sales
- Strong growth in the electronic media (+ 61.5%) and on the international markets (+ 7.5%)
- Substantial resources dedicated to further development of online services and products
- EBIT reaches CHF 34.8 million (+ 3%)
- Net result more than doubled at CHF 58.4 million with the profit on the sale of 24/7 Real Media shares
21.08.2007 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe announces a new management structure for its largest business segment, Media Sales, effective January 1st, 2008
PubliGroupe’s new strategic orientation is moving ahead with the announcement of the new management for the newly designed business segment, Media Sales, as of 2008. Under the leadership of Robert Schmidli all sales activities of PubliPresse (Publicitas, Publimedia, Publimag, Mosse Media), the international network Publicitas Promotion Network and the electronic and digital media companies (cinecom, Radiotele, web2com, Crossmedia) will be integrated within this business segment. The management structure for Media Sales will have four operational divisions with geographical areas in Switzerland, Europe, Asia/Pacific and the Americas with the following support services units: “Media Partners Relations & Marketing”, "Business Engineering", "Strategy Development Media Sales", "Finance & Controlling" and "Human Resources". This organization will become effective on January 1st, 2008. The current organizational structure will remain in place until December 2007.
13.07.2007 - Zurich and Lausanne
NZZ-Group and PubliGroupe intensify promotion of regional media
- The AG für die Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) subsidiary FPH Freie Presse Holding (FPH) will own 95.1% of St. Galler Tagblatt AG and 61.5% of LZ Medien Holding AG:
o PubliGroupe transfers its 25% shareholding in St. Galler Tagblatt AG and its 10.7% share in LZ Medien Holding AG to FPH
o NZZ in turn transfers its 50.8% shareholding in LZ Medien Holding AG to FPH
- PubliGroupe correspondingly increases its minority shareholding in FPH from 22.2% to 25.1%
04.07.2007 - Lausanne
Divestment gain for PubliGroupe from sale of stake in 24/7 Real Media
PubliGroupe, a leading sales organization for commercial communication, is selling its 4.5 percent stake in the US company 24/7 Real Media Inc., New York, as part of the tender offer from the British WPP Group plc. The sale of this equity holding generates an income for PubliGroupe of *CHF 36.3 million (USD 29.5 million). This will be used to finance the recently announced acquisition of the rapidly growing online marketing services provider zanox.
21.06.2007 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe appoints new business segment leaders
PubliGroupe, a leading sales organization for commercial communication, is pushing ahead with the implementation of the new strategic orientation announced earlier this year. The Board of Directors has made appointments to the leading positions in four new business segments which will form the operational base for the new PubliGroupe organization with effect from 1 January 2008.
22.05.2007 - Berlin/Lausanne
Axel Springer AG and PubliGroupe AG acquire online marketing services provider ZANOX.de AG
- Investment in rapidly growing market of performance-based online marketing (multichannel commerce)
- Access to new ways to market online sales
- Expansion of digital business activities
- Strengthening of zanox’s international growth efforts
- Development of new products and technologies and acquisition of new customer groups planned
11.05.2007 - Basel/Lausanne
New arrangements for cooperation between Basler Zeitung Medien and Publicitas
Basler Zeitung Medien to take over management of advertising sales for its titles, PubliGroupe remains strategic partner of BZM Group
28.03.2007 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe reports sales up by 3.8% thanks to growth achieved on international markets and also in electronic and online media – EBIT 7.7% higher on a like for like basis – Increased dividend
At CHF 61.8 million, the EBIT reflects the strong operational performance of the group’s core activities. It is 7.7% higher on a like for like basis which excludes non-recurring gains on the disposal of participations and the impact of changes in the scope of consolidation in 2006, essentially at the beginning of the second half following the acquisitions associated with the group’s development in the electronic media and local guides. This growth has been achieved against the background of joint spending of CHF 14.4 million (+ 24%) by PubliDirect and PubliPresse for the deployment of their online activities.
20.03.2007 - Lausanne
Competition Commission approves amicable settlement concerning new PubliPresse guidelines for commission payments to professional agents / Cartel investigation closed
Competition Commission approves amicable settlement concerning new PubliPresse guidelines for commission payments to professional agents / Cartel investigation closed / PubliGroupe intends to appeal against the administrative penalty of CHF 2.5 million with the Federal Court for Administrative Law Matters
09.03.2007 - Zurich/Lausanne
NZZ-Group and PubliGroupe completed the second phase of the transactions
NZZ-Group and PubliGroupe completed the second phase of the transactions announced previously concerning some of their holdings in the regional press of German-speaking Switzerland: The NZZ subsidiary Freie Presse Holding AG (FPH) holds now 100% of Zürcher Unterland Medien AG and a 40% interest in Zürichsee Presse AG In exchange, PubliGroupe increases its participation in FPH from 11% to 22.2%
28.08.2006 - Lausanne
Interim report for the period ending 30 June 2006
Growth on international markets and in electronic and online media in Switzerland / Progress in operations in all the group’s areas of activity / Growth of EBIT and net result on a comparable basis
29.06.2006 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe strengthens its management structures for the sale of advertising space in the electronic media
Christian Gartmann, Executive Director of SevenOne Media Switzerland and Sat.1 Switzerland, will be joining the PubliGroupe Management Committee on 1 January 2007, with responsibility for the "Electronic Digital & Interactive Media" business activities
23.06.2006 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe acquires Radiotele Ltd. and further consolidates its position in the sale of advertising space for the electronic media
PubliGroupe is to acquire all the shares in Radiotele Ltd., Zollikon (Zurich), from Bruno Oetterli and his co-shareholders. By taking this step, PubliGroupe is acting on its announced intention of marketing radio advertising and extending its activities for regional television. The group is therefore now active in the sale of advertising space for all the electronic media (TV, radio, cinema, online, Teletext, mobile). The purchase price has not been disclosed.
16.05.2006 - Lausanne
General Meeting of 16 May 2006
At their Ordinary General Meeting held today in Lausanne, shareholders of PubliGroupe Ltd. accepted all the proposals of the Board of Directors.
29.03.2006 - Lausanne
2005 results
PubliGroupe achieved a good operating result (EBIT) of CHF 72 million (2004: CHF 76 million) on stable or slightly declining markets, while devoting substantial resources to the development of new activities within the group in the electronic and online media.
10.02.2006 - Basel/Lausanne
Basler Zeitung and PubliGroupe strengthen their partnership in the advertising market
Basler Zeitung Medien and PubliGroupe confirmed their long-term partnership and their aim to jointly meet the challenges presented in particular to regional press by the advertising markets. Within the parameters of this partnership, Basler Zeitung (baz) and the group’s four local newspapers Allschwiler Wochenblatt, Birsfelder Anzeiger, Muttenzer&Prattler Anzeiger and Reinacher Zeitung, renewed their exclusive agreement with Publicitas in the field of advertising sales.
22.12.2005 - Lausanne
In view of the changeover of its accounting standards to IFRS with effect from the financial year 2005, PubliGroupe is announcing details of the impact of IFRS on its consolidated balance sheet and income statement for 2004.
- Shareholders’ equity (group's interest) as at December 31, 2004, increased significantly as a result of the application of IFRS: it rises from CHF 381 million to CHF 515 million (+ 35%). This is mainly attributable to certain assets being reported at market value rather than at their historical or acquisition cost, as was previously the case. - The presentation of the operating result (EBIT) is modified slightly and will now include real estate income as well as the extraordinary result. The operating result therefore increases from CHF 67 million to CHF 76 million (+ 14%). - The new accounting standards have only a marginal impact on the group net result for 2004, which rises 7% from CHF 53 million to CHF 56 million. It is expected to be significantly higher in 2005, mainly due to the increase in the value of the securities portfolio.
25.11.2005 - Zurich
New local search engine: www.local.ch
PubliDirect, the “directories” division of PubliGroupe, is about to launch a search engine to meet the requirements of local markets throughout Switzerland, in cooperation with its joint venture partner Swisscom Directories. www.local.ch will go online in the first half of 2006.
14.11.2005 - Lausanne
New PubliGroupe management structure for international activities
PubliGroupe is to set up a new Management Committee for the “Publicitas Promotion Network” to strengthen its international activities. This new management structure will be headed by Hans-Peter Rohner, CEO of PubliGroupe.
28.09.2005 - Lausanne
Board of Directors
Prof. Dr. Fritz Schuhmacher, since 1992 member of the Board of Directors of PubliGroupe Ltd. and its Vice-Chairman since 1995, has resigned from the Board with immediate effect citing personal reasons.
29.08.2005 - Lausanne
Interim report for the period ending 30 June 2005
PubliGroupe continues to invest in electronic media and new online activities while strengthening profitability of its core business.
17.07.2005 - Lausanne/Zurich
With a stake of 64%, PubliGroupe now has a majority holding in The Guide Company
PubliGroupe has expanded its share of the equity capital in The Guide Company, Zurich, from the 30% acquired in July 2004 to 64%. The residual shares (36%) will remain in the hands of the shareholders who previously held the majority stake in the company. No information was disclosed regarding the price of the acquisition.
17.07.2005 - Lausanne
With a stake of 64%, PubliGroupe now has a majority holding in The Guide Company
PubliGroupe has expanded its share of the equity capital in The Guide Company, Zurich, from the 30% acquired in July 2004 to 64%. The residual shares (36%) will remain in the hands of the shareholders who previously held the majority stake in the company. No information was disclosed regarding the price of the acquisition.
28.06.2005 - Baden, Lausanne and Solothurn
“Mittelland Zeitung” partners to strengthen and expand their successful model
The established Mittelland Zeitung model for success is to expand. Four media houses, the AZ Medien Group (Aargauer Zeitung), Vogt-Schild Group (Solothurner Zeitung), Dietschi AG (Oltner Tagblatt) and Zofinger Tagblatt AG (Zofinger Tagblatt), decided to continue their successful cooperative efforts for an indefinite period. The AZ Medien Group, Vogt-Schild Group and PubliGroupe/Publicitas are strengthening their strategic positions in the rapidly changing Swiss media and print market through investments, cooperation agreements and the use of synergies: In two steps, the AZ Medien Group will take over the PubliGroupe’s 35 percent interest in Vogt-Schild Holding AG. The AZ Medien Group will transfer the management of advertising space for its newspaper business to Publicitas. The AZ Medien Group and the Vogt-Schild Group decided to combine their printing activities.
16.06.2005 - Zurich, Lausanne
The NZZ Group and PubliGroupe have decided to accomplish the transactions already announced in 2004 concerning some of their holdings in the swiss German regional press as follows:
• NZZ subsidiary Freie Presse Holding (FPH) acquires a 40% stake in Akeret AG and a 20% stake in Zürichsee Presse AG • PubliGroupe in exchange acquires an 11% stake in FPH
04.05.2005 - Lausanne
General Meeting of 4 May 2005
At their ordinary general meeting held today in Lausanne, the shareholders of PubliGroupe S.A. approved the 2004 accounts and granted a release to the members of the Board of Directors.
The shareholders accepted the distribution of a dividend of CHF 9.- gross per share or CHF 5.85 net after deducting withholding tax, which will be payable on 13 May 2005.
The shareholders elected three new Board members in the persons of Christian Budry in Chesalles-sur-Oron (VD), CFO and member of the management committee of the Bobst Ltd. Group, in Prilly, Gerhart Isler in Bergdietikon (AG), former chairman and publisher of the "Finanz und Wirtschaft AG" (1988 - 2004) and Felix Weber in Oberrohrdorf (AG), member of the Board of Directors of Syngenta Ltd. and of Cablecom's parent company.
Finally, the general meeting has re-elected Ernst & Young, Zurich, as statutory auditors and group auditors for the 2005 financial year.
02.05.2005 - Lausanne/Zurich
Publiconnect to start operations earlier than previously an-nounced
Fast growth in demand for Publicitas electronic service tools confirms strategy
23.03.2005 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe with significantly higher operating results for 2004 – Operating profit nearly doubled – Proposal to Annual General Meeting for dividend payment of CHF 9.- per share
Improved revenues connected with savings from productivity increases generated a 96% advance in operating result to CHF 67 million (2003: CHF 34 million). After falling for three years in succession, sales grew by 2% in 2004, while operating expenditure on comparable basis decreased by CHF 17 million. All group divisions improved their results. - At CHF 11 million, the financial result is back to normal, but clearly missed the previous year's result - (2003: CHF 43 million), which benefited from extraordinary financial income of some CHF 30 million. - The result before taxes rose by 11% to CHF 83 million (2003: CHF 75 million). It was first and foremost the outcome of the group’s operating activities. Due to significantly higher taxes (+ 222%), the group net result decreased to CHF 53 million (2003: CHF 58 million). - The very healthy structure of the PubliGroupe result and balance sheet allows to propose the distribution of a dividend raised to CHF 9 per share, equivalent to a distribution rate of 41%.
10.02.2005 - Lausanne
Preliminary information on the 2004 financial year
Substantial progress for PubliGroupe’s business operations –Advertising markets are overall improving, but become more and more volatile
19.01.2005 - Lausanne/Zurich
Publicitas to launch key account unit for classified advertising
New competence center for classified intermedia advertising in newspapers and on-line media
12.01.2005 - Lausanne
Group IT organisation
In recent months, PubliGroupe has performed an in-depth analysis of its IT structures in order to make sure that they are perfectly appropriate to the evolution of its future activities, while remaining as economical as possible.
30.08.2004 - Lausanne
Interim report for the period ending June 30, 2004
PubliGroupe reports strong improvement in its operating result in the first half of 2004 PubliGroupe’s operating result in the first six months of 2004 (CHF 36 million) rose by 62%, with sales (CHF 986 million) marginally higher than last year. The financial result no longer includes any exceptional revenue items and has reverted to a normal level (CHF 9 million / - 54%). After taxes, which are CHF 6.5 million higher, the consolidated net profit of CHF 32.5 million is identical to that reported last year for the same period. The outlook for the full year 2004 is overall likewise positive.
13.07.2004 - Lausanne/Zurich
PubliGroupe takes stake in The Guide Company, in Zurich
PubliGroupe is taking a 30% stake in publisher The Guide Company, Zurich, with which PubliGroupe already cooperates through its subsidiary LTV Yellow Pages Ltd. The Guide Company produces and sells structured contents for print and electronic media, specializing in events and entertainment, recreation and tourism. It employs ten people and has revenues of around CHF 2 million. No information was disclosed regarding the purchase price.
08.07.2004 - Lausanne/Zurich
PubliGroupe acquires Cinecom in Switzerland and takes first step toward selling advertising for electronic media
PubliGroupe is acquiring all shares of the Cinecom companies in Switzerland from majority shareholder Peter Gmür and the other remaining shareholders. In Switzerland the Cinecom Group markets cinema advertising (Cinecom AG), as well as T.V. advertising where its main focus is Sat. 1 (Cinecom & Media AG). The transaction does not affect Cinecom Austria. No information is being disclosed regarding the purchase price.
06.07.2004 - Lausanne
NZZ-Group and PubliGroupe to intensify cooperation
The NZZ-Group and PubliGroupe, which already have joint relations through holdings in publishing houses and in the area of media sales, have decided to further strengthen their existing ties.
13.05.2004 - Lausanne
General Meeting of 13 May 2004
At their ordinary general meeting held today in Lausanne, the shareholders of PubliGroupe S.A. approved the 2003 accounts and granted a release to the members of the Board of Directors.
The shareholders accepted the distribution of a dividend of CHF 8.- gross per share or CHF 5.20 net after deducting withholding tax, which will be payable on 21 May 2004.
Finally, the shareholders re-elected Prof. Dr. Fritz Schuhmacher to the Board of Directors and elected two new Board members in the persons of Mrs. Eliane Borter, in Pully, and Michaela Stöckli, Vice President International Sales at PHONAK Holding, in Zurich.
PubliGroupe Ltd.
Avenue des Toises 12
P.O. Box 3493
1002 Lausanne
Tel. +41 (0)21 317 71 11
Fax +41 (0)21 317 75 55
e-mail: info(at)publigroupe.com
31.03.2004 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe returns to profit in 2003 and emerges strengthened from the crisis
Consolidated net profit CHF 58 million versus loss of CHF 30 million in 2002. Drop in sales of 10% attributed to the downturn in press advertising (- 10% for PubliPresse and - 8% for Publicitas Promotion Network), which faced a difficult economic environment for the third year in a row. Operating profit rises to CHF 34 million (2002: CHF 41 million) led by record results of PubliDirect, whose sales were 3% higher, and substantial cost reductions in other sectors of the group business. All the divisions are therefore in profit despite the worst economic environment seen in 30 years. Financial result of CHF 43 millions (2002: CHF - 5 million) benefited from rising stock prices and higher group net liquidity. Further strengthening of balance sheet, net liquidity rose to CHF 18 million from CHF 87 million. Dividend of CHF 8.- per share to be proposed to shareholders at the next general meeting
11.02.2004 - Lausanne
Preliminary information on the financial year 2003
PubliGroupe emerges strengthened from the advertising downturn
01.09.2003 - Lausanne
Interim report for the period ending 30 June 2003
First half 2003: positive overall for PubliGroupe
28.05.2003 - Lausanne
General Meeting of 28 May 2003
At their ordinary general meeting held today in Lausanne, the shareholders of PubliGroupe S.A. approved the 2002 accounts and granted a release to the members of the Board of Directors.
Finally, the shareholders re-elected Mr Philippe Pidoux, Mr Roland Burnand and Mr Jean-Pierre Jeannet to the Board of Directors and elected a new Board member in the person of Mr Peter Brunner, Chairman and Chief Executive of Desco von Schulthess Holding, in Zurich.
PubliGroupe Ltd.
Avenue des Toises 12
Case postale 3493
1002 Lausanne
Tel. 0041 (0)21 317 71 11
Fax 0041 (0)21 317 75 55
info(at)publigroupe.com
10.04.2003 - Lausanne
The 2002 results of PubliGroupe were positive at the operational level but penalised by goodwill depreciation and falling financial markets.
The consolidated balance sheet has been strengthened by a financial year which saw the group focus once again on its basic activities and adapt its structures to a difficult economic environment, which is set to continue in 2003. No dividend will be proposed to the Annual General Meeting of 28 May 2003. PubliGroupe returned to profit at the operational level in 2002: the operating result stood at CHF 41 million and the operational cash flow at CHF 45 million.
01.02.2003 - Lausanne
Preliminary information on the 2002 financial year
PubliGroupe is continuing its recovery in an economic environment which remains difficult and has brought a 13% fall in sales for the business activities that have been maintained. The operating result is positive again. It will increase by CHF 70 million and exceed CHF 40 million. Adjustments of the value of equities in the portfolio made necessary by the trend of the financial markets and goodwill depreciation on foreign minority shareholding interests bring an estimated consolidated loss of CHF 30 million.
17.12.2002 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe and Edipresse are simplifying their shareholder relationships.
PubliGroupe SA (SWX: PUBN) is to exchange its 25% stake in Presse Publications SR SA, the holding company for Edipresse SA's Swiss activities, against 13% of the share capital (6.1% of the votes) of Edipresse SA (SWX: EDI). The shareholder relationships between the two groups thereby become simpler and more transparent. This transaction also reflects the two groups' desire to strengthen their partnership and extend it to international markets.
06.11.2002 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe maintains a minority shareholding interest in "G&J Medien Vertrieb GmbH", reduced from 40% to 24.9%
Business directories in North Germany. PubliGroupe maintains a minority shareholding interest in "G&J Medien Vertrieb GmbH", reduced from 40% to 24.9%, and welcomes the arrival of a new majority partner who will give a fresh boost to the directories, which have been successfully launched in the past four years in Hamburg, Hanover and Bremen.
27.09.2002 - Lausanne
PubliPresse launches its "Fit for the Future" programme
PubliPresse (Publicitas, Publimedia, Publimag and Mosse Media), the largest division of PubliGroupe, today launches its "Fit for the Future" programme. This is planned as part of our fundamental review of structures and processes in face of the continuing decline in advertising spend, as announced on September 2 this year.
02.09.2002 - Lausanne
Interim report for the period ending 30 June 2002
PubliGroupe on the road to recovery in difficult markets
05.04.2002 - Lausanne
Results 2001: a year with a substantial deficit, in line with our latest forecasts.
No dividend will be proposed to the General Meeting of 29 May 2002. A difficult economic environment, over-rapid and excessive developments in the online sector, together with the failure of our investment in the US "Panoramic Communications" advertising agency network, resulted in a consolidated net loss of CHF 185 million. The charges imputable to exceptional items and to companies which have either been divested or closed down stand at CHF 230 million. Had it not been for these non-recurring charges, which weigh equally on the operating profit and on the financial income and exceptional items, the group would have been able to report a positive result of CHF 45 million.
14.02.2002 - Lausanne
Preliminary information about the fiscal year 2001
2001: The poor economic climate and extraordinary difficulties in online activities are responsible for an overall loss of around CHF 80 million. An additional CHF 105 million, invested in the American advertising agency group Panoramic Communications, have been written off and have to be added to that amount. This amortisation does not negatively affect shareholders’ equity nor does it diminish PubliGroupe’s determination to safeguard the value of this investment. The overall consolidated loss will thus amount to a total in the region of CHF 185 million.
03.12.2001 -
Daily newspaper goes interactive
On 4 December 2001 PubliGroupe and Swisscom Mobile will launch a pilot project which will allow consumers to respond spontaneously via mobile phone to advertisements and information in classic media and make additional information available on their mobile and the Internet.
30.10.2001 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe to show a loss in 2001 - Integration of Real Media into the American Group 24/7 Media.
The accelerated slump in the advertising sector since September has negatively affected PubliGroupe. The Group is therefore revising its forecasts downward. The businesses to suffer most are online activities and the American advertising agency group Panoramic. The losses here will be greater than expected. The costs of restructuring these businesses and the cost of splitting off Real Media from PubliGroupe are also higher than expected. These extraordinary one-off costs will not recur in 2002. The company expects 2002 to be profit positive thanks to the solid traditional businesses of the group. Real Media Group has today merged with the American competitor 24/7 Media. In exchange, PubliGroupe will receive a 15.6% shareholding in the company. The cumulative effect of economic and one-off factors mean that PubliGroupe will report a significant loss for the year 2001.
04.09.2001 - Lausanne
Results on 30 June 2001
PubliGroupe reported a net profit of CHF 8 million after a first half of 2001 which was adversely affected by a series of negative factor. This disappointing result is explained by the difficulties encountered by the PubliOnline Division and the Panoramic Communications Group. Appropriate measures have been put in hand to eliminate the sources of losses in 2002.
23.04.2001 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe acquires leading Asian inflight media and entertainment group
PubliGroupe acquired the leading Asian inflight media and entertainment group, Emphasis Custom Media, from Time Warner Inc. Together with the existing activities in this field, PubliGroupe becomes one of the leading advertisement sales organizations specializing in inflight media.
08.04.2001 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe reported a net profit of CHF 140 million in 2000. Unchanged dividend (CHF 25.-) proposed to the General Meeting of 30 May 2001
The financial year 2000 at PubliGroupe was marked by three salient features: strong growth of the results reported by the divisions active in the traditional press advertising and telephone directories business, major investments in the Group’s Internet competencies and activities, and the disposal of half its real estate assets.
19.02.2001 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe increased its turnover by 17% in 2000. It now stands at CHF 2.7 billion.
All the group's business areas achieved two-figure growth in the financial year 2000, thanks to the highly efficient structures of the operational divisions, encouraged by a favourable economic environment. Sales of advertising space for the written press rose by 12% in Switzerland (PubliPresse Division) and by 21% on the international markets (Publicitas Promotion Network). The telephone and business directory sector (PubliDirect Division) advanced by 29%. These trends were ahead of expectations with better results than forecast for all three divisions; this in turn lessened the impact of higher costs for development of the PubliOnline Division (in particular Real Media), whose sales once again tripled. PubliGroupe expects to make a consolidated net profit of around CHF 130 million in 2000.
22.12.2000 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe Ltd significantly reinforces its U.S. operations by acquiring a majority interest (50.5%) in epb.communications, Inc. (epb), a diversified communications network. epb will achieve 2000 consolidated net revenue of USD 95 million
epb.comunications, Inc. (epb or the Company) is a diversified network of twelve operating companies, encompassing traditional advertising and public relations capabilities, marketing services and on-line, new media services. The company forecasts FY 2000 consolidated gross revenue exceeding USD 1.2 billion and net revenue of USD 95 million.
03.11.2000 - Lausanne
Strategic partnership between Bluewin, Swisscom and PubliGroupe Swisscom transfers holdings in Swisscom Directories and PubliDirect to Bluewin
Swisscom AG is transferring its shares in Swisscom Directories AG (51%) and PubliDirect Holding AG (49%) to Bluewin AG, continuing its consolidation of the customer-oriented online services (Business-to-Customer) under the Bluewin umbrella. The transfer will make it possible for Bluewin and PubliGroupe to substantially expand their joint range of online directory services. The transfer has already been approved by the Swiss Federal Competition Commission
07.09.2000 - Lausanne
Results for the first half 2000. PubliGroupe makes a group net profit of CHF 117 million at the end of the first half of 2000
All of the group's traditional business areas experienced two-figure growth, increasing turnover by 19% (CHF 1,337 million) and gross margin by 25% (CHF 279 million). The group's developments and investments in the online sector forged ahead: in the PubliOnline division, the turnover increased from CHF 10 to 50 million, while the workforce rose from 147 to 665 employees. This fast development illustrates the aim of the group to take a strong position in these new communication channels. It affected, however, the consolidated net profit by CHF 25 million. Not taking into account the effect of the online business, the group's operating income would have increased by 50%. Affected by investments made in developing these new activities, operating income fell from CHF 45 to 37 million (- 16%). Financial income (CHF 91 million) included an exceptional profit of CHF 76 million from the sale in January 2000 of nearly half the group's property assets to PSP Swiss Property AG.
05.07.2000 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe and Gruner + Jahr form strategic partnership in the directories business in north Germany
The print and publishing house Gruner + Jahr AG & Co., part of the Bertelsmann Group, and the Swiss PubliGroupe Ltd. will jointly develop the business telephone directories activities in northern Germany. PubliGroupe has therefore acquired a 40% share in G+J Medien-Vertrieb GmbH, which produces the directory Hamburger Branchen. This strategic partnership is based on PubliGroupe's know how in the directories business and on the regional expertise of Gruner + Jahr. It represents for PubliGroupe a further step towards internationalisation in this activity.
26.05.2000 - Lausanne
Launch of the Automotive Internet Portal car4you
PubliGroupe SA (Lausanne), United Internet AG (Montabaur / Germany) and - as service partner - Eurotax Holding AG (Freienbach) have jointly launched a European automotive Internet Portal named car4you.
19.04.2000 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe reports a record profit for 1999: CHF 156 million (+ 103%).
Strong rise in operating income (+ 26%) and exceptional growth of financial income (+ 195%) following the sale of shareholding interests in billboard advertising. Dividend of CHF 25.- (+ 108%) proposed to the General Meeting of 30 May 2000.
01.03.2000 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe Ltd takes over the "delta Consulting Group AG" in St. Gallen – consistent expansion of the Internet area
MMD Multimedia Development Ltd, which belongs to PubliGroupe, and delta Consulting Group AG have initiated their merger. Together, the two companies are the Swiss market leader among e-business service firms with over 120 employees in six locations. PubliGroupe owns 75% of the new company, giving it the equity majority of the Swiss number one.
25.02.2000 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe's online operations
PubliGroupe Ltd. announces that it may reorganize part of its online operations together with its partner Real Media Inc., USA. The two companies are considering the prospect that Real Media may make a partial public offering. No definitive arrangements have been reached yet.
16.02.2000 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe is reporting sales of CHF 2.32 billion in 1999, up 8% from the previous year.
The 8% increase in PubliGroupe sales was achieved thanks to internal growth of its PubliPresse (+ 9%) and Publicitas Promotion Network (+ 9%) divisions, both specialized in the promotion and sale of print advertising in Switzerland and abroad. The PubliDirect division (telephone directories) reported a 20% decline in sales, tracing to the reorganization of its product range, which includes the Yellow Pages, following the entry into force of the joint venture with Swisscom. Revenue from its print products, published at an unchanged schedule, increased by over 9%. The PubliOnline division saw its turnover increase threefold, in line with expectations.
08.02.2000 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe Ltd. (Switzerland) and Real Media, Inc. (USA) to merge Internet advertising operations to form global provider of web advertising solutions
Real Media, Inc. files for initial public offering
25.01.2000 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe transfers real estate package to PSP Swiss Property against shareholding IPO-preparation for Zurich Financial Service' commercial real estate company well under way
PubliGroupe S.A., Lausanne, is going to transfer a part of its real estate property portfolio, with an estimated market value of over CHF 200 million, to PSP Swiss Property. Within the framework of this transaction, PubliGroupe S.A. becomes a shareholder in PSP Swiss Property, which in turn raises its share capital.
05.11.1999 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe has acquired a minority share in Vogt-Schild Holding Ltd.
PubliGroupe has acquired a minority share of 35% in the leading publishing house Vogt Schild Holding Ltd. in Solothurn (Solothurner Zeitung, Grenchner Tagblatt, Langenthaler Tagblatt,etc.). In 1998 Vogt Schild achieved total sales of CHF 85 Mio.
For further inquiries:
Vogt-Schild Holding AG, Solothurn
M. Dr. Rudolf Rentsch, Chairman
Tel. 032 / 624 72 15
Publicitas Ltd., Lausanne
M. Dr. Ernst Grab, General Director
Tel. 021 / 317 78 10
23.09.1999 - Lausanne
Results for the first half 1999. PubliGroupe's consolidated net profit rose from CHF 39.1 to CHF 49.8 million (+ 27%) with higher operating profit (+ 31%) and net financial income (21 %)
The trend of PubliGroupe's results reflects the strength of its different business areas. The improvement of the operating profit (CHF 44.6 million/ + 31%) is due as much to the persistence of a favourable economic environment as to the new structures put in place on 1 January 1999 in both divisions PubliPresse (merger of the Publicitas and ofa networks) and PubliDirect (joint venture with Swisscom). After two years of very strong growth, the international Publicitas Promotion Network continues to report a high level of performance while entering a phase of consolidation. The PubliOnline division is living up to expectations by tripling its sales and securing promising strategic positions for the group. The financial income (CHF 23 million / + 21%) has substantially contributed to the group's net profit.
01.09.1999 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe sells its stake in outdoor advertising.
PubliGroupe has decided to sell the whole of its investments in outdoor advertising in Switzerland.
- According to a irrevocable agreement with the international group JCDECAUX, Paris, PubliGroupe will sell its 24.8% investment in Affichage Holding, Geneva, by October 8, 1999.
- The company Ofex Orell Füssli-Externa AG, Zurich (Turnover CHF 15 million and market share 5%), will be taken over by Plakanda Holding, Zurich.
These investments were judged as being no longer strategic. In addition, a few major players with continental and worldwide ambitions started in Europe a consolidation process that will reshape completely the outdoor advertising market.
PubliGroupe will continue to implement its strategy, which has been successfully applied for many years, with special emphasis in the following segments :
- reinforcing the traditional activities in press advertising in Switzerland and on foreign markets
- expanding rapidly, in Switzerland and abroad, in new business segments with high growth potential: printed and electronic directories, interactive communication and advertising (Internet).
For any further information:
PubliGroupe Ltd. - Jean-Denis Briod
Tel. : 021 - 317 71 11
Fax : 021 - 317 75 55
Mail : jdbriod(at)publigroupe.com
08.06.1999 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe holds 20% of the capital of Société Générale d'Affichage SGA
PubliGroupe announced on June 8, 1999 to the Swiss stock exchange that the group holds 75,385 shares of SGA and that the investment in this company is now exceeding the threshold percentage of 20%. After the capital restructuring decided by the shareholder's meeting held on May 27, 1999, investment in this company (20.1%) will be slightly higher, especially after the exchange of the bonus certificates into shares. In fact, PubliGroupe holds 77,500 bonus certificates.
For any further information:
PubliGroupe Ltd. - Jean-Denis Briod
Tel. : 021 - 317 71 11
Fax : 021 - 317 75 55
Mail : jdbriod(at)publigroupe.com
29.04.1999 - Lausanne
In 1998, PubliGroupe reported a net profit of CHF 76.8 million (+ 32%)
In 1998, PubliGroupe reported a net profit of CHF 76.8 million (+ 32%). All its business areas are growing and contributing to the strong growth of its operating profit (+ 76%). A dividend of CHF 12.- (+ 50%) will be proposed to the General Meeting of 9 June 1999.
18.02.1999 - Lausanne
PubliGroupe sales stood at CHF 2.15 billion in 1998, 7% up on the previous year
The 7% sales increase was reported in a favourable economic environment, which enabled internal growth of 6.5% to be achieved. Several acquisitions made abroad during the financial year also contributed to this result. The impact of these acquisitions on sales is estimated at an additional 0.5%. Currency fluctuations were a negligible factor.
10.09.1998 - Lausanne/Bern
PubliGroupe and Swisscom consolidate their co-operation in directories
PubliGroupe and Swisscom have decided to consolidate their co-operation in the publication and marketing of directories. Existing products will henceforth be developed jointly, drawing on the specific know-how of both companies. To achieve this, PubliGroupe and Swisscom will channel all their activities in this field into one stock company each, with the other partner taking a minority share. The co-operation will be registered with the competition authorities and is due to start operating on 1 January 1999.
