World and National News

Home stretch for the tender in giant offshore wind, an investment of 10 billion euros. While the verdict is promised before the presidential election, companies occupy the land. On Monday, Mestrallet, Oursel Luc and Xavier Huillard, respectively boss of GDF Suez, Areva and Vinci, traveling around the Upper Normandy (Fécamp, Dieppe, Le Havre) to present their business plan. Last Monday, the Industry Minister, Eric Besson, has unveiled the prototype of the new offshore wind Alstom, the site of book in Loire-Atlantique.

The tender is dominated by the clash between Alstom and Areva, among wind turbine manufacturers. They are actually competing in four of the five fields. Each claims its strengths: innovation for Alstom against the experience for Areva.

"This wind turbine is technologically innovative and ambitious for France," said Patrick Kron, Alstom's chief executive. The blades of 73.5 meters is the longest in the world. The group opted for a permanent magnet alternator, no gearbox, which should reduce operating costs. In the end, his power of 6 megawatts (MW) against 5 MW Areva makes it the most wind power marine world.

For his part, Luc Oursel, the boss of Areva, said his group has eight years ahead, with more installed wind turbines in the North Sea. By 2015, the group expects 120 of its machines to produce electricity. "All of our wind turbines, before being implemented, are tested at full power on a test bench unique," says Luc Oursel. Like the integrated model of the nuclear group, its wind business is careful to keep control of several strategic industries such as manufacturing of the blades. "Our watchword is reliability," says Luc Oursel.

Regional investments

The blades of the first prototype of Alstom, down, do begin to spin that in a month. A second prototype crashed at sea, will be operational before the end of the year. The inauguration of the wind Alstom was made before many elected Pays de la Loire and Brittany. The group, which is involved in the consortium led by EDF Energies new, has indeed committed to make several investments in the region, allowing it to benefit from their active support in competition with Areva.

Alstom also claims the construction and installation of 2,300 onshore turbines. However, his lack of experience in offshore wind may explain the appearance in recent weeks by rumors of a possible acquisition of German RE Power or Danish Vestas wind turbine specialists, Patrick Kron has qualified to of this "speculation".

In 2006, one of the most famous clubs in the world has struck a blow in the world of sports business. By signing a partnership with UNICEF, and offering a free exhibition on his jersey, the Spanish club FC Barcelona has upset the traditional approach to sports sponsorship. Regularly criticized for its financial excesses, the world of football in effect seeks ways to improve its image by focusing on positive values ​​of caring and solidarity. The achievements of the Spanish club, which brings each year to the humanitarian organization € 1.5 million to fund prevention activities and information to children, and treatment campaigns. Even players are involved, since 0.7% of wages are paid to the association. A mini-revolution for the club whose shirt was previously devoid of any inscription marketing, but also for the world of sports economics. Not only the team receives no money but it gives.

Since the club was founded in 1899, FC Barcelona had never flown a sponsor on their jerseys. An agreement of 165 million euros until 2016, signed in 2011 with the founding of Qatar, has not questioned the gracious partnership with UNICEF. This indeed bears fruit on both sides. For Barca, it's also a brand that is exported … and rather well. The Catalan club recruited more than 60% of his fans outside its borders *. Enough to radiate the action of the international humanitarian organization. For the club, which activates the partnership with the media and the public (Barca: "more than a club"), the exchange is also charged. The message from the club president Sandro Rosell, repeated at Global Sports Forum Barcelona organized by Havas Sports & Entertainment, is clear: "Making every child in the world of fans of FC Barcelona." Today, the club's Facebook page counts 1.6 million fans. Used to treat as its online reputation.

* According to the annual study Havas Sports & Entertainment (Globalization and new media in sports) published in the GSF Barcelona.

The maneuvers are accelerating around Flammarion. On the eve of the filing of takeover bids from the publisher from its owner, the Italian group RCS Mediagroup (Rizzoli Corriere della Sera), the Strategic Investment Fund (ISF) said Tuesday be prepared to financially support a candidate . He justified his action as possible to "ensure that there is a French solution to the continued activity of this great publishing house," Jean-Yves Gilet, its chief executive.

And indeed, the ISP would have already talked to three editors, all French: Gallimard, La Martiniere and Eyrolles. As usual, the ISP would take a minority stake, ranging from 30 to 35% of the amount of the acquisition. The latter could reach between 200 and 250 million euros.

French solution

The position of the ISP would support a French solution. The group La Martiniere but Media Holdings (Dargaud, Dupuis …) have finally decided to make an offer. Editis is always a contender but he said the lack of belonging to the Spanish group Planeta. Remains in contention Gallimard, who could join with the publisher Eyrolles. This tandem could be helped by the ISP.

Well-managed home

Gallimard is well positioned to win. The current boss of Flammarion, Teresa CREMISI, was one of the closest collaborators of Antoine Gallimard between 1989 and 2005, when, to everyone's surprise, she took the reins of Flammarion. "The scheme would simultaneously Gallimard to share the financial burden with the ISP, and Flammarion to become French," says one banker no fax payday loans.

RCS Mediagroup would hope to draw from the sale of 300 million euros, twice the price he has paid in acquiring the publisher in 2000 to its family shareholders. The Italian group, which owns 77% of Flammarion, has already considered the sale of its French subsidiary in the past, without carrying the process forward. "We have no certainty, says an editor familiar with the matter. The diagram Gallimard is long established. But RCS Mediagroup trying to raise the stakes. "

Flammarion is rather salivate. This is one of the best managed houses of the French edition. The publisher, owner or Casterman J'ai Lu, emerging among the most profitable market.

The fund has financed 850 companies in 2011

By leveraging the Strategic Investment Fund (ISF) has managed to drain the last year of € 2.5 billion of capital into about 850 companies. Over three years, it is 7.1 billion euros were injected into more than 1,800 companies. Equity arm of the Caisse des Depots (51% stake) and state (49%) reached 19.1 billion euros at December 31, 2011, down 9% year on year, due the decline in France Telecom or Eiffage. Last year, the tool of public investment is limited to 3% decline in net profit to 629 million euros, at the cost of sales, which offset higher depreciation.

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The twin towers Hermitage, who aspire to be the highest in Europe, they come out one day land of Defense? In any case, this exceptional project skyscraper of 320 meters and 90 floors combining offices, apartments and hotel will be delayed. And, according to relatives of the case, the delivery announced in 2016 looks bleak, at least to that date. It is the proponent Russian Nazvanie, which embarked on this adventure with a project designed by star architect Norman Foster always runs on the same problem: the demolition of three buildings housing in the neighborhood of Checkers, instead of which the towers are planned Hermitage.

Believing be adequately compensated for this project generate nuisance, owners of neighboring buildings (Champagne and Dauphiné) had obtained the cancellation of a demolition permit in October 2011 before the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Nanterre. But they were willing to waive these charges if Nazvanie made them an acceptable offer. But last week, they finally received a proposal from the developer who does not absolutely satisfied. "For example, Hermitage gives no quantification on the refurbishment of our buildings that would take over after the demolition of buildings for social housing, says a representative of the council of owners. We turn around the same problems for years. There is therefore no reason that it's arranged in the coming weeks. Given these elements, we do not withdraw our complaint. "

Immediate demolition

Barring last minute, the promoter, who has appealed the decision to cancel the building permit, will have to await the decision of the Court of Appeal of Versailles, expected early 2013. And hope that the judgment is favorable to start the project. A sword of Damocles hanging over the project which could have done Hermitage. Especially since, otherwise, he knows some significant progress: according to our information, the last tenant of the building HLM, Damiers Infra, which has had a long struggle to stay in places, has finally made its key apartment Friday night. Emptied of all its occupants, the building could be demolished immediately in case of authorization by the court.

In addition, building permits for these two towers should be issued this week. But again, the owners of buildings Champagne and Dauphiné will not bury the hatchet. "We will attack the building permit," said a member of the union council. "We, too," said Claire Augier, Secretary of Defense of Life, an organization opposed to the project since its launch and has already committed multiple legal proceedings against Hermitage. This is not the business of Hermitage to fund this mammoth project of 2 billion euros, the developer needs to make a loan of 700 million. A pool of banks granted him ready … provided that building permits attached to these towers are purged of any remedy. This risk of further delays.

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• Why the French Rugby Federation (FFR) she wants to have its own stadium?

Like the FA with Twickenham Rugby, the FFR wants to have its own sports arena in order to control the revenue generated by the sport. This is not the case today. Indeed, as part of an agreement that binds the Stade de France since 1998, and until 2013, the FFR plays its games in the Six Nations tournament in the home stadium of La Plaine Saint-Denis, as well as a part of his tour matches. Which implies to comply with a timetable and costs a lot of money: 400,000 euros per game.

Moreover, the federation does not take advantage of significant economic benefits, such as revenue from the operation of the lodges or advertising space, returning to the consortium of Stade de France. In total, between 1998 and 2008, the federation estimated 160 million shortfall. "It's an entrepreneurial logic on the part of the FFR, which aims to develop its own production, explains Stéphane Raffalli, deputy mayor of Ris-Orangis and carrying a project site. Unlike football, ticket revenues are crucial to the development of rugby. " A connection that confirms Serge Blanco, vice president of the FFR in charge of the project, and believes that the future stadium will include "recover monies, and to distribute differently between amateur and professional" * ….. …

• What are the characteristics of the speaker?

It will have about 82,000 seats. To avoid the trap of "white elephant" (these stages abandoned or operating only a few days per year), the federation wants a multifunctional enclosure. Like the Stade de France, which receives about fifty events each year, the future new stadium will be able to accommodate sporting events as well as concerts, fairs, conferences, trade shows online cash advance… Another priority of the project: the retractable roof (which should avoid any disappointments such as the cancellation of the France-Ireland 11 February), and the lawn removable for holding non-sporting events. Finally, it asks the candidate sites a footprint of at least 15 acres, good access and control over land.

• How much will it cost?

The estimated cost for this stage of the fifth generation of 600 million euros. A budget of size: for example the future stage of the Enlightenment of Olympique Lyonnais, will cost 450 million euros to 60,000 seats. The FFR will bring between 150 and 200 million euros. The remaining funding will come from private partners, led by the assumptions used in naming (a practice for a brand to give his name to a sports arena). The federation wants a first opening of the new stadium grandstands in 2017, later than in 2018, a depreciation of equipment in 2024.

• Where the stadium will be built there?

Two candidate sites are still in contention: and. The design of the new stadium remains the prerogative of the FFR, which will select architects. In turn, sites must "lend credibility to the project perimeter around a living" explains Stéphane Raffalli. Sales events, accessibility, presence of businesses, green spaces, leisure village: the proposals are to develop multiple sites. The main difference is in the current environment. At Orly Thiais, we put forward a site of 55 hectares, "that already works."  

The site Thiais-Orly, also a candidate.

The benches of the National Assembly had to be beautiful sparse, MEPs finally adopted Wednesday, the bill Warsmann to relax labor laws and reduce administrative business.

To achieve this, it took several parliamentary shuttle, the Socialist majority in the Senate rejected this text block for the second time, on February 20, saying that "the provisions of the text beyond the scope of legislation and simplification are fundamental reforms that call for specific depth discussions. " Ditto to the Assembly where the opposition has denounced before the vote "a challenge to the contract of employment of employees, without compensation of pay." But this time in vain.

Particularly criticized, section 40 of the new law provides that "the distribution of hours over a period longer than the week and not more than the year under a collective agreement does not constitute a change of the employment contract." In other words, if a collective agreement signed by at least 30% of union partners, an employer can now develop new working hours without the consent of each individual employee.

Telescoping with the discussions on competitiveness, employment

This article raises the ire of unions involved in the negotiations with the employers on the establishment of a pact competitive employment in companies. Indeed, the government has two months to the social partners to discuss this issue payday loan lenders. "Either we are given the entire debate, is not the time to negotiate. By divesting a part of the subject, we want to let us do the dirty work cut wages and increase working time, "storm the CGT.

More moderate CFDT a critical lack of clarity of the new provision and telescoping with the discussions on competitiveness employment. "This bill is so weird is invited into the debate and the opening of negotiations with the employers section 40 makes it unnecessary," said Marcel Grignard, number two in the central union.

"A law of August 2008 to grant greater flexibility in the modulation of working time between the two sides, but a decision of the Supreme Court dated September 28, 2010 went against this interpretation. It was just for us to clarify and specify the previous law, "says Jean-Luc Warsmann (UMP) member of the Ardennes.

After a first round on February 17, three new meetings were planned on 23, March 27 and April 13. "If, at the national level, social partners want to change Article 40, we will proceed to its amendment," reassures the hon.

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Galeries Lafayette and Casino are at war over control and recovery of Monoprix, they each own half the capital. Philippe Houze, president of Galeries Lafayette and Monoprix, explains for the first time its views on the subject.

LE FIGARO. – Why have you started the process of selling your stake in Monoprix?

Philippe Houzé. – In March 2011, I proposed Casino to renew our partnership for three years. After my numerous reminders, the group let me know the end of September it could grant me one more year. This proposal is a totally inappropriate. I realized that Casino wanted to settle in Monoprix and consolidate the company to 100% in its accounts, without paying the price. Our group can not agree to see and leave the company he founded and directed the last eighty years. If he wishes to take control, Casino has a purchase option at the price of expertise together with a control premium of 21%. He does not want to exercise it. Under these conditions, we have to consider the sale, but the evaluation not be taken as the exercise of our put option.

How do you explain that your participation Casino evaluates to 700 million euros, when you consider it to 1.95 billion?

Our estimate is based on the uniqueness of Monoprix. Fifteen times Ebitda, is the acquisition value of the Dutch Hema, the company that has the profile most similar to ours. Our multiple is only 11. As for the valuation of Monoprix Casino, it is very worrying. It is based on a McKinsey report that completely destroys Monoprix saying the group is not equipped to cope with the arrival of supermarkets in the city center and the emergence of e-commerce and its textile business not resist. If Casino do believe that Monoprix is ​​only five times its EBITDA, it leaves me president, I will continue to ensure value creation for shareholders.

Why did you refuse to pass on to Jean-Charles Naouri President of Monoprix?

Wednesday, Casino changed the course of the Board in order to begin, less than an hour later, a communication sequence cleverly orchestrated. In fact, Casino resulted in not being able to present a candidate for President of Monoprix and so was fatal to any other solution than my renewal.

But if Jean-Charles Naouri was a candidate, you would have refused

.

Can you imagine the Galeries Lafayette to accept the head of Monoprix a president who does not believe in the future of the company and who would have all the means to redeem us to devalue our participation at lower price?

Is divorce inevitable?

The attitude of Casino reinforces our idea that it is impossible to continue with a partner in total conflict, which promotes an MTP totally degraded. At the annual meeting of its branch patterns, Casino asked the Deputy CEO of Monoprix not to present his strategic plan, though approved by Jean-Charles Naouri … The current situation is not feasible in the long run. It is damaging to Monoprix, its customers and employees. This conflict affects a major Monoprix and its 20,000 employees fully dedicated to the company. If Jean-Charles Naouri does not accept the values ​​and philosophy of Monoprix, does not comply with the specificity of this format, the company will not resist.

Are you ready to negotiate?

We do not seek to negotiate. We want to return to legality, that is to say, enforce the protocol and allow JP Morgan to evaluate independently Monoprix. Casino tries to block this process. I was reappointed for one year as President of Monoprix. The statutes allow me to be extended four more times. I assume all my functions. Our goal is that Monoprix is ​​run by people who believe in the company, its officers, its values, and are determined to make it succeed. Casino will not, by devious means, take control of Monoprix, because the company would be hostile.

Are you still willing to buy out Casino in Monoprix?

Wednesday, Galeries Lafayette reiterated their offer on Feb. 10 at Casino redeem its share to 1.35 billion euros. I'm surprised that this proposal was not presented to the Board of Casino, I'm a member and including Galeries Lafayette are the third largest shareholder. Jean-Charles Naouri assured me that the offer would be discussed at council Monday. We have the means to finance the offer, if accepted.

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White smoke comes not yet held Monday in Brussels, where a decisive meeting of the Eurogroup on Greece. It comes from the Italian Presidency in Rome, and the headquarters of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt.

After a phone conversation with Angela Merkel and Prime Minister of Greece Lucas Papademos, Friday, Mario Monti issued a statement encouraging: "At the end of this conversation, which came in the details and which was conducted in a constructive spirit, three participants were confident that an agreement on Greece can be reached Monday, the Eurogroup. "

So far, mistrust prevailed. Especially since the previous Eurogroup, on Greece, was canceled Wednesday. "This time, an agreement is likely," said Jean Pisani-Ferry, director of the Bruegel think-tank in Brussels. "Otherwise it's too late, there will master more technical details …", he adds.

The challenge of this size Eurogroup is: give Greece its private creditors and the green light to launch the second bailout of Greece, estimated at 130 billion euros, to avoid a default in Greek debt falls from 14.5 billion euros on March 20.

That Greece is committed to the reforms demanded by the troika, beyond the April elections, Germany, Finland and the Netherlands had planned mid-week to split the bailout to not pay, firstly, that the sum needed to rescue private, or 30 billion euros. 

Exchange of debt

But this scenario is complicated, difficult to read for the markets, has been criticized by the IMF and European lawyers, who see it as a source of additional blocking with private creditors, asked to relinquish 70% of the value of their securities. "This option is no longer on the table," said Deputy German Finance Minister, Thomas Steffen. "We are ready to have a solid basis for a decision Monday," says the German Finance Ministry in Berlin.

The European Central Bank has brought his stone to an eventual agreement. Its chairman, Mario Draghi, submitted Thursday night, the vote of the Governors, the exchange of 50 billion euros of Greek bonds, which should allow eventually to redistribute 12 billion euros to Greece, which allocated to debt repayment countries. For its part, the IMF would be willing to contribute to the new rescue plan by a loan of 13 billion euros, reported last night the Wall Street Journal on its website.

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Renault continues its offensive on the niche of ultra-low cost. According to La Tribune, the manufacturer plans to build a car for the price shock of 2500 euros. Specifically, the newspaper said, citing economic "internal sources", a team Renault-Nissan has come into being on 1 January next year to develop all entry-level models of the group, and a platform an engine at a very low cost payday loans in 1 hour. This morning, the manufacturer confirmed to AFP that Detourbet Gerard, who led until the range low-cost Entry (Logan, Sandero, Duster) umbrella program.

Designed for emerging the poor, this car should allow Renault to boost sales as its traditional markets crumble. On the Old Continent, the debt crisis now weighs on sales of the group.

The pub, some question its effectiveness. No jurors Effie Award, which annually recognizes the most effective campaigns. The 28 award-winning devices (11 Effie gold, 11 silver and 6 bronze) for the eighteenth edition are no exception to the rule.And they are all the more commendable that they worked at a time when every dollar invested in communications account, and that, at the same time, the level of phobia is high.

While creative advertising agencies are competing for the creative awards (Cannes Lions, Art Directors Club …), the trading them, and their advertising clients prefer to get a price Effie, synonymous with effectiveness measured, proven and proven to a jury of twenty professionals (advertisers, agencies, media, research institutes), chaired this year by the president of Ipsos, Didier Truchot.

For the first time in its history, the awards reward campaign B to B (that is to say for professionals) conducted by the agency Leg (Havas) to SFR.