Black year 2001
Ernst Grab Steps Down, Otto Meier Takes Over
Ernst Grab steps down, Otto Meier steps upBy Markus Knöpfli 2001 goes down as a bad year in the history of PubliGroupe. Only the PubliDirect division was able to make gains. Although sales are expected to continue to decline in some areas in 2002, the overall figures are expected to be in the black again.
In 2001, PubliGroupe's consolidated sales fell by 4 percent compared with the previous year to CHF 2.614 billion. Excluding the acquisitions made, it would even have fallen by 9 percent. With the exception of the PubliDirect division (advertising in telephone directories), which grew by 16 percent, all the group's divisions recorded a decline in sales.
The PubliPresse division, which generates around 70 percent of group sales and comprises the advertising business in Switzerland, suffered from the slump in job advertisements and generated 4 percent less sales. Publicitas Promotion Network (PPN), the advertising business abroad, lost 20 percent, partly because entire campaigns were canceled after September 11. Online activities lost 39 percent.
PubliGroupe promises that the exceptional costs which led to the marked group loss of CHF 185 million (see p. 1) will not be repeated in 2002. The current year should close with a profit again. However, new growth is not expected until the end of 2002 at the earliest. PubliPress is even expecting a further decline in sales of 2 percent, while PPN's sales are expected to stabilize at the previous year's level.
In addition to the previously announced resignation of PubliGroupe CEO Jean-Jacques Zaugg (who will be succeeded by Hans-Peter Rohner), there will be another prominent departure at the top of the group: 57-year-old Ernst Grab is stepping down as head of the PubliPresse group division and intends to take on board mandates outside PubliGroupe. He already has a few: since January 1, 2002, he has been Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hess Holding, which includes Valser Mineralquellen. Grab's successor will be the former Publimedia director Otto Meier (50).
Grab worked for PubliGroupe for 12 years, initially as Assa General Director. Last year, he spun off the Swiss business of online marketer Real Media and integrated it into PubliPresse. PubliGroupe sold Real Media to its competitor 24/7 Media last year in connection with the slump in online business.
Grab currently sits on around two dozen boards of directors within PubliGroupe, including Vogt-Schild, Akeret AG, Wemf, Swissclick and Rudolf Tschudi Holding. Grab will relinquish these mandates, the majority of which will then be taken over by Meier.
In 2001, PubliGroupe's consolidated sales fell by 4 percent compared with the previous year to CHF 2.614 billion. Excluding the acquisitions made, it would even have fallen by 9 percent. With the exception of the PubliDirect division (advertising in telephone directories), which grew by 16 percent, all the group's divisions recorded a decline in sales.
The PubliPresse division, which generates around 70 percent of group sales and comprises the advertising business in Switzerland, suffered from the slump in job advertisements and generated 4 percent less sales. Publicitas Promotion Network (PPN), the advertising business abroad, lost 20 percent, partly because entire campaigns were canceled after September 11. Online activities lost 39 percent.
PubliGroupe promises that the exceptional costs which led to the marked group loss of CHF 185 million (see p. 1) will not be repeated in 2002. The current year should close with a profit again. However, new growth is not expected until the end of 2002 at the earliest. PubliPress is even expecting a further decline in sales of 2 percent, while PPN's sales are expected to stabilize at the previous year's level.
In addition to the previously announced resignation of PubliGroupe CEO Jean-Jacques Zaugg (who will be succeeded by Hans-Peter Rohner), there will be another prominent departure at the top of the group: 57-year-old Ernst Grab is stepping down as head of the PubliPresse group division and intends to take on board mandates outside PubliGroupe. He already has a few: since January 1, 2002, he has been Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hess Holding, which includes Valser Mineralquellen. Grab's successor will be the former Publimedia director Otto Meier (50).
Grab worked for PubliGroupe for 12 years, initially as Assa General Director. Last year, he spun off the Swiss business of online marketer Real Media and integrated it into PubliPresse. PubliGroupe sold Real Media to its competitor 24/7 Media last year in connection with the slump in online business.
Grab currently sits on around two dozen boards of directors within PubliGroupe, including Vogt-Schild, Akeret AG, Wemf, Swissclick and Rudolf Tschudi Holding. Grab will relinquish these mandates, the majority of which will then be taken over by Meier.
