A coup de force
Local TV New move in the TV war: Hersant buys bankrupt control room.
Local TV New move in the TV war: Hersant buys bankrupt control room.
The Frenchman Philippe Hersant and the Genevan Stéphane Barbier-Mueller, who want to take over 60 percent of the local Geneva television station Léman Bleu against the will of Edipresse, have already acquired a "large majority" of the company Force Promotion (FP), the station's marketer, in mid-May. This is what Hersant's lawyer Charles Poncet told Werbewoche on request. He was unable to disclose the exact ownership structure. However, he emphasized that Hersant is involved in Force Promotion as a private individual and not on behalf of his media group. The aim of the investment is to revitalize the bankrupt marketer, which laid off its staff at the end of May, with new capital so that it can soon bring advertising money back to Léman Bleu, which is also on its knees. This should be done with the existing staff, but with more financial resources, said Poncet. In fact, Daniel Berset, for example, the previous owner and director of FP, is now the new Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors.
It was originally agreed between FP and Edipresse that the latter could take over the management of Léman Bleu on May 1 if the broadcaster agreed. However, this commitment was never made.
(mk)
The Frenchman Philippe Hersant and the Genevan Stéphane Barbier-Mueller, who want to take over 60 percent of the local Geneva television station Léman Bleu against the will of Edipresse, have already acquired a "large majority" of the company Force Promotion (FP), the station's marketer, in mid-May. This is what Hersant's lawyer Charles Poncet told Werbewoche on request. He was unable to disclose the exact ownership structure. However, he emphasized that Hersant is involved in Force Promotion as a private individual and not on behalf of his media group. The aim of the investment is to revitalize the bankrupt marketer, which laid off its staff at the end of May, with new capital so that it can soon bring advertising money back to Léman Bleu, which is also on its knees. This should be done with the existing staff, but with more financial resources, said Poncet. In fact, Daniel Berset, for example, the previous owner and director of FP, is now the new Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors.
It was originally agreed between FP and Edipresse that the latter could take over the management of Léman Bleu on May 1 if the broadcaster agreed. However, this commitment was never made.
(mk)
