Press releases

Grazia celebrates the beauty and excellence of Italy

FROM ARTISTIC WONDERS TO THE REDISCOVERY OF THE BEACHES, SMALL TOWNS AND MOUNTIANS OF OUR COUNTRY

Many first-hand accounts from Italian celebrities such as Levante, Baby K, Francesco Sarcina, Chiara Galiazzo and many more

From this week Elisa Maino, web influencer with over 5 million fans on TikTok, starts a column entitled 7teen where she meets the idols of her generation

Grazia, the magazine edited by Silvia Grilli, is celebrating the beauty and excellence of Italy with a special issue dedicated to the discovery of the wonders of the country.

“In the strangest summer for generations, we have discovered that we are a community. I like to use the word “discover” because that’s what’s happened. During the lockdown we discovered the humanity of our neighbours, and as we re-opened, how great it was to meet again. Now, that we know that 6 out of 10 Italians will not take a holiday, we have realised just how extraordinary are the places where we live or those nearby. And those, who will travel around the peninsula will be surprised at the great beauty of Italy its flavours, its smells, its unparalleled natural and artistic assets,” declared the editor, Silvia Grilli.

The Grazia on newsstands tomorrow, Thursday 2 July, will guide readers from the country’s artistic beauties to travel, and from fashion to first-hand accounts from Italian celebrities including Levante, Baby K, Francesco Sarcina, Chiara Galiazzo and many more.

Readers will discover from the pages of this issue of Grazia the cities, beaches and mountains of our country: and immerse themselves in uncontaminated Trentino, which, with its lakes and mountains, offers a wide range of views and activities. Or Tuscany, with its relaxing rolling hills, an artistic pathway that is unique in the world, as well as enchanting spas in Maremma. Or a trip to fascinating Noto, which seems locked in time, or a bicycle trip through Liguria, the peaks of Alto Adige and the lakes of Lombardy for a weekend of fun and relaxation.

We were a divided country, then, with the Covid-19 crisis, we started to sing the national anthem from our balconies, we changed our style of life and discovered ourselves proud to resist the difficulties together. And after the long days of the emergency Grazia wants to take a closer look by means of a survey about how the future of Italy depends precisely on the kind of citizens we decide to be.

Lots of interviews with Italian celebrities: from the protagonist of the cover Levante who posed for exclusive shots Franciacorta, the popstar Baby K who is launching her new single and is the star of a commercial and a video with the digital entrepreneur Chiara Ferragni. She tells Grazia how their friendship led to the couple of the moment. And then there is a look at the world of music, with Chiara Galiazzo and the leader of the Vibrazioni Francesco Sarcina.

The column 7teen by Elisa Maino

From this week Elisa Maino starts a new column called 7teen in which she meets for Grazia the idols of her generation and in which she will deal with issues that are close to the hearts of the young. In this Thursday’s issue, Elisa interviews the rapper Chadia Rodriguez, who, with the song Bella, sends a message against violence and attacks on people’s physical appearance.

Elisa Maino who was born in Rovereto in 2003, a just 17 is the most famous Tik Toker of the moment, with over 5 million followers. She began as a YouTuber and fashion blogger where she quickly gained an extensive audience.

 

On the occasion of the Environment and the Oceans Days, Grazia presents a special Issue ‘Non dimentichiamoci del Pianeta’

Il magazine ha chiamato a raccolta esperti e attivisti per ricordare che il surriscaldamento globale è una battaglia che non può essere rimandata

Grazia, il magazine del Gruppo Mondadori diretto da Silvia Grilli, da sempre portavoce di temi di attualità, lancia il numero speciale dal titolo Non dimentichiamoci del pianeta. Un numero in cui Grazia ha chiamato a raccolta esperti e attivisti affinché la battaglia e l’impegno contro il surriscaldamento globale non passino in secondo piano, dopo che il Covid-19 ha costretto tutti gli Stati a rivedere le loro priorità.

“Durante la quarantena abbiamo visto la natura ripren­dere i suoi spazi, i cieli ritornare tersi, gli animali circolare in città, i parchi diventare rigogliosi, il mare improvvisamente cristallino. L’assenza di traffico ha aiutato il taglio delle emissioni ma, con la fase 2, le macchine hanno ripopolato le nostre città, la plastica di mascherine e guanti riaffollato l’ambiente e il monouso tanto sotto accusa prima del Covid-19 è ritornato ora la regola. Il 5 giugno è la Giornata mondiale dell’Ambiente e l’8 quella degli Oceani, dedicata ai mari minacciati dalla plastica e dall’inquinamento. Noi di Grazia abbiamo colto le ricorrenze per creare questo numero speciale e ricordare ai leader mondiali l’impegno di proteggere l’ambiente”, ha dichiarato il direttore Silvia Grilli.

Tra le tante interviste in questo numero speciale i lettori troveranno l’opinione di Greta Thunberg, l’ecoattivista che ha portato il mondo in piazza per chiedere misure urgenti per l’ambiente. Poi l’emergenza sanitaria ha rallentato la sua campagna e lei stessa si è ammalata. Ora, però, la 17enne svedese è pronta per la sua nuova sfida: «Surriscaldamento globale e Covid», dice a Grazia «sono due crisi che devono essere gestite insieme».

Solo nel prossimo mese nel mondo verranno usati almeno mezzo miliardo di guanti monouso e un miliardo di mascherine. Una quantità di plastica che, se non smaltita correttamente, inquinerà città e mari. Esperti e attivisti spiegano al magazine come evitare il danno ecologico.

E ancora il tema dell’eco-femminismo: dalle attiviste africane che piantano alberi alle paladine della Foresta Amazzonica. Perché dove le donne rivendicano i loro diritti anche la protezione dell’ambiente fa un passo avanti.

Grazia accompagnerà le lettrici tra parchi naturali e riserve marine dove l’uomo ha rinunciato a sfruttare il patrimonio naturale: un viaggio nel Corcovado, una piccola Amazzonia nel cuore dell’America Centrale, dove piante e animali vivono in armonia lontani da minacce e inquinamento.

Il magazine racconta in questo numero i nuovi professionisti, figli della rivoluzione ecologica: giovani agricoltori che coltivano grazie a un’app, ingegneri che progettano palazzi capaci di produrre energia invece di consumarla, maghi della matematica che proteggono chi vive nelle aree a rischio studiando il clima.

Trovano spazio anche le creative digitali più influenti, pronte a curare il mondo con un nuovo stile, coloro che usano Instagram per parlare di abiti, cosmetici e cibo sostenibile e lanciano sfide ambientali ai follower.

«Magari non sarò io a cambiare la terra, ma farò di tutto perché ci riesca mio figlio Leo» dice Alessandro Gassmann Grazia. Lo abbiamo visto fare la raccolta differenziata, pulire le strade di Roma e lanciare appelli contro chi sottovaluta i disastri ambientali. L’attore si confida con il settimanale cercando di fare un bilancio al termine di questo periodo di lockdown con uno sguardo ai tempi che verranno.

Milano dovrebbe diventare una città dove ciò che serve sia raggiungibile in meno di 15 minuti, con quartieri organizzati come piccole metropoli e nuovi modi di vivere gli spazi aperti. Il sindaco Giuseppe Sala parla a Grazia delle trasformazioni, tecnologiche ed ecologiche, necessarie all’indomani della pandemia. E spiega perché ha dedicato un libro ai cittadini che con le loro azioni cambiano il mondo in meglio.

Anche Sylvia Earle, pioniera delle oceanografe lancia il suo messaggio e a Grazia dice: «La Terra ha infinite risorse: se smettiamo di abusarne, si riprenderà».  Così come Joaquin Phoenix, attore premio Oscar e anche eco attivista che non si ferma mai. Durante l’emergenza coronavirus ha distribuito pasti vegani, chiesto di adottare mucche e denunciato gli allevamenti intensivi e i mercati di carne. «Perché la vita di ogni essere vivente», dice, «è connessa a quella di tutta la Terra.

In questo numero speciale non mancano moda e bellezza Eco: un servizio dedicato ai capi naturali scattato al Giardino botanico di Adelaide in Australia e una rubrica con gli accessori realizzati con la paglia, corda e  tela. La sezione della bellezza suggerisce alle lettrici i prodotti che tengono conto dell’ambiente sulla base di studi e progetti a salvaguardia di coltivazioni e specie in pericolo.

Grazia a special Issue on newsstands: ‘Che mondo sarà’

Leading figures outline future scenarios
From Bill and Melinda Gates to Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, the Rector of Bocconi University to Cristina Comencini, Giuseppe Culicchia, Letizia Muratori, Vandana Shiva and many more

Across the world, the pandemic has faced us with a new normal, comprised of social distancing, and new rules to protect ourselves and others. But what will the coming months be like as we await the discovery of a vaccine? Grazia, the magazine edited by Silvia Grilli, tries to offer its readers some answers with the help of a range of authoritative voices.

Starting with two of the world’s leading funders of research, Bill and Melinda Gates, who have donated an unprecedented sum to finding a vaccine against Covid-19 and become a global point of reference. But the couple is looking further ahead, and the philanthropists explain Grazia when we will overcome the emergency and which of the innovations of this period will help to protect us from future epidemics.

But Grazia is also fashion, so the designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana talk about the future that awaits Made in Italy and for which they are ready.

A new vision of the future of our school system comes from Gianmario Verona, economist and Rector of Milan’s Bocconi University who outlines how the pandemic has modernised Italian universities which are now planning the next step forward.

The Mondadori Group magazine has also collected opinions on the future of the arts and cinema. Film director Cristina Comencini tells Grazia that only when we can go back to cinemas, after months of watching films and series on TV, will we understand how much we have missed the big screen, Because, as she explains, sharing stories with others will have a new meaning. Above all if they are stories about how we have been reborn after the pandemic.

Other leading names include Giuseppe Culicchia who, for Grazia, a tomorrow of many unknowns and a certainty: that we will continue to look in books for what we miss in reality, because he is convinced that with the practice we’ve gained from the restrictions it will be as if we are in a maze in which each one of us will have to find our way and accept a new kind of normality.

Also Letizia Muratori says that our experience of home isolation has been like living in an eternal present and as the restrictions are lifted, the writer tells Grazia, we will have to discover how to live in a smaller and more protected reality, in which there will be Perspex panels and looking into the eyes of others will be a different experience.

Behind a world turned upside down and the spread of the coronavirus there is male domination. This is the view of the Indian environmentalist Vandana Shiva, who, in order to build a different future, asks for a handover of power: from men, accustomed to the unrestrained exploitation of nature, to a female balance that takes account of every aspect of creation.

This special issue of Grazia also features contributions from the influencer Marta Pozzan, music producer David Guetta, manager Luca Finardi as well as the managers of a number of international schools in Italy who are examining the positive experiences of their sister schools around the world.

Grazia, the leading 100% Italian fashion brand, available around the world in 20 international editions and a voice for style and news, is on the frontline with a series of extraordinary issues that deal with big topics and the #facciamocisentire (#LetsMakeOurselvesHeard) campaign in favour of gender equality in a moment in which it is under threat. In fact, the magazine is strongly supporting the women who during the health and economic crisis are more than eve on the frontline and risk being forgotten, when they really need to be heard.

 

Grazia: on the cover top model Stella Maxwell wearing a face mask

THE MAGAZINE LAUNCHES A CAMPAIGN IN FAVOUR OF WOMEN WORKERS IN A PERIOD WHEN THE SCOOLS ARE CLOSED

Grazia is the first in Italy to feature a model with a face mask

The magazine is supporting women who, during the health and economic crisis, are more than ever on the front line and risking to be ignored while what they want is to be heard

Grazia, the Mondadori Group magazine edited by Silvia Grilli, is the first Italian title to feature a model on the cover wearing a face mask.  The model Stella Maxwell, well-known for her anti-conformist lifestyle, is the protagonist of a real and highly relevant shot. “Fashion,” says Stella, “has always helped to overcome difficulties and also in this health emergency it can do so again.”

Grazia, Italy’s leading 100% Italian fashion brand, with 20 international editions, and the voice of style and news, in the issue on newsstands from tomorrow has given space to a journalistic investigation and campaign aimed at ensuring that the emergency does not become a pretext for setting aside the freedoms that women have gained. The investigation explores the forced return of women to the home in a period when schools are closed, with interviews with the Minister for Equal Opportunities and the Family, Emma Bonetti, the mayor of Turin, Chiara Appendino, the mayor of Milan, Beppe Sala, the leader of Fratelli d’Italia, Giorgia Meloni, the economist, Paola Profeta, and many others.

In her editorial, Silvia Grilli writes: “Visible in public places, such as hospitals and scientific laboratories, making the sacrifices of researchers, doctors and nurses. Invisible within families as they try to reconcile remote working with the duties of mother, cook, cleaner, carer of elderly relatives and teacher of children working online during school closures. In a fair world, family management would be shared equally between husbands and wives, given that it takes two to make children just as it should take two to put on the washing machine. But we know that a fairer world cannot be realised in two months, it takes years of education to achieve gender equality. From 4 May Italy will gradually reopen, while schools, kindergartens and nurseries will certainly remain closed until September. Consequently, women will remain the only social service available to deal with children and the elderly. But the problem is that nine million Italian women Italian also work outside the home. Many of us wonder how and if we can go back to work. Who will take care of the children left at home? Who will care for the elderly in the family? How many of us will be forced to resign to take on the totalizing role of the housewife?” Silvia Grilli concludes, as she launches a campaign.

Readers can share their experiences with the magazine and Grazia’s social media profiles, as well as making proposals to present to government and politicians to resolve the issues.

The issue on newsstands from tomorrow also addresses the topic of love and sex in a time of coronavirus. The government has decreed that from 4 May it will be possible to visit relatives or ‘kin’, and, apparently this refers also to “stable relationships”. But there is a certain vagueness about the term “stable relationship”, what does the decree really mean? Who decides whether a relationship is stable or not? The lockdown has obliged many of the undecideds and on-off couples to make a choice: fragile links can break, while, on the other hand, more solid ones can become stronger. The magazine has brought together a range of opinions: from the actress Bianca Nappi, to the actor and writer Paolo Stella, as well as the writer Federica Bosco and actress Federica Fracassi.

Plus: what will be the medium and long-term impact on relationships? “History shows us that, after an emergency, we tend to go back to our old habits,” observes the sexologist Gaia Polloni. “But, it’s also true that we are discovering that the online world works. The change could be quite significant.” In fact, Facebook has lost no time in launching Tuned, an app developed especially for couples living remotely.

Following the measures introduced by the prime minister Giuseppe Conte for dealing with the so-called Phase 2, Grazia also examines how we are going to deal with things such holidays, weddings and the reopening of restaurants.

But there is also space for entertainment, with interviews with the actress Cate Blanchett in lockdown, the singers Benji and Fede who are splitting, and Coco Rebecca Edogamhe, protagonist of the original new Italian series on  Netflix, Summertime, based on the book by Federico Moccia.

BoD approves results at 31 December 2019

Results[1] in line with the indications disclosed to the market at the beginning of the year (before IFRS 16)[2]:

  • Net revenue basically steady at € 884.9 million: -0.7% up on a like-for-like basis (+1%)
  • Adjusted EBITDA at € 94.5 million, up single digit: +4.9%
  • EBITDA up sharply at € 87 million: +12.2%
  • Net result from continuing operations at € 33.1 million, up strongly by +62%
  • NFP at € -55.4 million versus € -147.2 million in 2018: an improvement of € 91.8 million (-62%), as a result of ongoing cash generation
  • Debt/adjusted EBITDA ratio stands at 0.7x (1.6x in 2018)

Targets for continuing operations in 2020

  • Revenue down slightly (steady on a like-for-like basis)
  • Single-digit growth of adjusted EBITDA
  • Net result up, forecast in the range of € 35-38 million
  • Cash flow from ordinary operations forecast to improve at € 55 million

Dividend distribution proposal after eight years: € 0.06 per ordinary share

Granting of shares under the 2017-2019 performance share plan: disclosure pursuant to art. 84-bis, paragraph 5 of Consob Regulation no. 11971/1999

[1] In 2019, the “Result from discontinued operations” includes the net result recorded by Mondadori France in the current year, together with the recognition of the fair value adjustment of the discontinued group. This item also includes the financial expense held by the Parent Company, but attributable to Mondadori France and charged to the latter under the intercompany loan agreement (approximately € 1.6 million). The “Result from continuing operations” and the “Result from discontinued operations” therefore differ by this amount from the amounts of the statements attached to this Report (equal to € 1.1 million in 2019 and € -192.4 million in 2018), prepared in accordance with IFRS international accounting standards. To enable a like-for-like comparison, 2018 figures have been restated accordingly.

[2] As of 1 January 2019, the Group has adopted the new IFRS 16 – Leases. The new standard provides a new definition of lease (operating leases) and introduces a criterion based on the control (right of use) of an asset to distinguish leases from service contracts, the differences lying in: the identification of the asset, the right to replace the asset, the right to essentially receive all the financial benefits arising from the use of the asset, and the right to control the use of the asset underlying the contract. The standard introduces a single lessee accounting model, by which an asset under an operating lease is recognized in assets with an offsetting financial liability. P/L will no longer record lease payments as operating/general costs, rather the depreciation of the booked asset and the financial expense implicit in the lease payment. An exception to this accounting model are leases regarding low-value assets and those with a term of 12 months or less.

Today, the meeting of the Board of Directors of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A., chaired by Marina Berlusconi, reviewed and approved the draft Parent Company and Group consolidated financial statements at 31 December 2019 presented by CEO Ernesto Mauri.

PERFORMANCE AT 31 DECEMBER 2019
In 2019, the Mondadori Group strengthened its business and financial standing even further, completing the second step in its strategic repositioning with the disposal of the Magazines France activities and the sale of a number of titles in the Magazines Italy Area.

At a consolidated level, the results achieved in 2019 confirm the indications disclosed to the market at the beginning of the year[1].

Consolidated revenue was basically steady at € 884.9 million versus € 891.4 million in 2018
(-0.7%), despite the change in the consolidation scope of the Magazines Italy Area following the disposal of Inthera S.p.A. and Panorama (+1% on a like-for-like basis).

Adjusted EBITDA before IFRS 16 amounted to € 94.5 million, up by € 4.4 million (+4.9%) versus the prior year (€ 90.1 million).

As a percentage of revenue, the item rose from 10.1% to 10.7%, with different trends shown by the various businesses:

  • in line with the revenue trend, the Books Area reported an increase in the period, as a result of the positive performance of both the Trade and Education areas;
  • the Retail Area retreated, as a result mainly of the drop in revenue on a like-for-like basis and less positive non-recurring items versus the prior year;
  • the Magazines Italy Area fell versus 2018, as a result of the declining market trend, despite the continuing cuts in operating and structural costs, the further significant improvement in the digital area and the positive effects of the disposals made.

IFRS 16 adjusted EBITDA amounted to € 110.4 million and includes the IFRS 16 impact of approximately € 16 million.

EBITDA before IFRS 16 was up sharply versus the prior year from € 77.5 million to € 87 million (+12.2%). The improvement includes the increase in adjusted EBITDA and the strong reductions in restructuring costs recorded in the period.

IFRS 16 EBITDA amounted to € 102.9 million and includes the IFRS 16 impact of approximately
€ 16 million.

EBIT before IFRS 16 amounted to € 61.1 million, improving sharply (+8.4%) versus € 56.3 million at 31 December 2018, as a result of the dynamics of the above components, and includes amortization, depreciation and write-downs of € 25.9 million.

IFRS 16 EBIT amounted to € 62.3 million and includes the IFRS 16 impact of € +1.2 million.

Consolidated profit before tax came to € 51.7 million, improving sharply versus € 35.2 million in 2018 and includes:

  • the decrease in financial expense (from € 2.9 million to € 2.2 million) as a result of lower average net debt;
  • improved performance by associates (consolidated at equity) at € -8.1 million versus
    € -18.2 million in 2018.

The net result from continuing operations improved by € 12.8 million to € 33.1 million, up sharply by +62% versus € 20.3 million in 2018.

While still part of the Group (until 31 July 2019), Mondadori France generated net revenue of
€ 163.2 million (€ 178.6 million in the 7 months of 2018) and adjusted EBITDA of € 11.6 million
(€ 13.5 million in the 7 months of 2018). The net result from discontinued operations came to € -2.6 million and includes the net result for the seven months of Mondadori France and the fair value adjustment of French assets at the closing on 31 July 2019.

The Group’s net result before IFRS 16 amounted to € 29.3 million versus € -177.1 million in 2018, which included approximately € -200 million from the fair value adjustment of Mondadori France.

The net financial position before IFRS improved by € 91.8 million, with a resulting reduction in net financial debt at € -55.4 million versus € -147.2 million at 31 December 2018, as a result of the disposal of Mondadori France, equal to € 62.8 million, as well as the significant generation of cash flow from ordinary operations in the year, equal to € 48.5 million, from continuing operations.

The debt/adjusted EBITDA ratio stands at 0.7x (1.6x in 2018).

Considering the effect of the application of IFRS 16 (€ -95.9 million), the Group’s net financial position at 31 December 2019 stood at € -151.3 million.

At 31 December 2019, with regard to continuing operations, Group employees amounted to 2,018 units, down by -6% versus 2,137 units at December 2018 (net of the 743 employees of Mondadori France at 31 December 2018), as a result of efficiency gains across all areas of the Group.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR FOURTH QUARTER 2019[2]
Consolidated revenue in fourth quarter 2019 amounted to € 225.9 million, down by -3% versus
€ 232.9 million in the prior year, due partly to the change in the consolidation scope of the Magazines Italy Area following the disposal of Panorama.

Adjusted EBITDA before IFRS 16 amounted to € 23.2 million versus € 27.3 million in the prior year.

IFRS 16 adjusted EBITDA came to € 27 million and includes the IFRS 16 impact of approximately € 4 million.

EBITDA before IFRS 16 amounted to € 20.7 versus € 24.5 million in 2018.

IFRS 16 EBITDA amounted to € 24.5 million and includes the IFRS 16 impact of approximately € 4 million.

BUSINESS OUTLOOK[3]
In 2020, the Mondadori Group will continue along the path of strategic repositioning and focus on its core businesses of Books and Retail and on brands with greater potential for multimedia development.

In line with the outlined strategy, the operating targets for 2020, based on the current scope, allow the Group to estimate, at a consolidated level, a slight decrease in revenue (steady on a like-for-like basis) and a single-digit growth of adjusted EBITDA before IFRS 16 versus 2019.

The net result from continuing operations for 2020 is expected to increase versus the prior year (in the range of € 35-38 million), while continuing the dividend distribution policy.

Cash flow from ordinary operations in 2020 is forecast to improve at € 55 million.

This forecast refers to the current scope of the Group’s business: owing to the current
Covid-19-related emergency, no reliable forecasts can be made at this time on the duration and on the impacts, if any, on operations and results in 2020; the current events are, however, believed not to change the Group’s solid medium-long term prospects.

PERFORMANCE OF BUSINESS AREAS

BOOKS
The Trade Books market, following the slight decline in 2018 (-1.1%), recorded significant growth in terms of value (+5.5%) versus the prior year (+4% in terms of volume). In absolute terms, the increase amounted to € 65 million[4].

Against this backdrop, the Mondadori Group retained its leadership position with a 26.2% market share and 5 books appearing in the top 10 best-selling titles of the year: Una gran voglia di vivere by Fabio Volo (Mondadori); La misura del tempo by Gianrico Carofiglio (Einaudi), La versione di Fenoglio by Gianrico Carofiglio (Einaudi), Entra nel mondo di Luì e Sofi. Il Fantalibro di Me contro Te by Me contro Te (Mondadori Electa), In cucina con voi! by Benedetta Rossi (Mondadori Electa).

In the school textbooks market, the Mondadori Group retained its strong foothold, with a 21.7% share, adoptions-wise[5].

In Italy, this segment showed an overall growth trend in 2019 (+2.2%), with increases in the lower and upper secondary segments and stability in the primary[6]segment.

In 2019, revenue from the Books Area amounted to € 478.4 million, an overall increase of 6% versus € 451.3 million in 2018. Specifically:

  • in the Trade Area, revenue increased by +7.6%;
  • in the Educational Area, revenue grew by +5.9%.

Adjusted EBITDA before IFRS 16 amounted to € 93.2 million, improving sharply versus the same period of the prior year (€ 84.7 million), as a result of a vigilant management policy focused on the ongoing optimization of operating processes, which allowed the Group to lift profitability above 19%.

IFRS 16 adjusted EBITDA came to € 94.5 million and includes the IFRS 16 impact of € 1.3 million.

EBITDA before IFRS 16 amounted to € 92.8 million, improving versus € 82.9 million at 31 December 2018.

IFRS 16 EBITDA amounted to € 94 million and includes an impact of € 1.2 million.

RETAIL
In 2019, the Group continued to implement strategic actions to align the organization and the sales channels of the Retail Area with market developments, focusing on steady format and network revision.

In the Books segment, making for 82% of revenue, the market share of Mondadori Retail stood at 12.9%.

In 2019, Mondadori Retail recorded revenue of € 186.9 million, down by 2.6% versus
€ 191.8 million in the prior year, attributable to the performance of consumer electronics and the rationalization of the direct sales network.

The analysis by channel shows the following:

  • a basic stability (+0.3%) of direct bookstores (-1.5% on a like-for-like basis in terms of stores);
  • a decline in Megastores (-12.1%), attributable to the drop in consumer electronics sales and as a result of the rationalization of the sales network (-9.9% on a like-for-like basis in terms of stores);
  • a slight improvement (+0.5%) in franchised bookstores (-1.1% on a like-for-like basis in terms of stores), despite the reduction in the number of points of sale;
  • a slight drop in sales in the e-commerce channel (-0.5%);
  • a drop by the Bookclub, albeit less than in prior years.

Adjusted EBITDA before IFRS 16 amounted to € -2.9 million versus € +1.4 million at 31 December 2019. The decrease is due mainly to lower revenue on a like-for-like basis, less positive non-recurring items and higher write-downs in consumer electronics.

IFRS 16 adjusted EBITDA amounted to € +5 million and includes the IFRS 16 impact of approximately € +8 million.

EBITDA before IFRS 16 amounted to € -5 million, down from the breakeven in 2018.

IFRS 16 EBITDA amounted to € +2.9 million and includes an impact of approximately
€ +8 million.

MAGAZINES ITALY
Once again, in 2019 the magazines market witnessed a continued drop in both print advertising[7] (versus a growth in the digital channel[8]) and in circulation[9] and add-on sales[10].

In the reporting period, the Magazines Italy Area recorded revenue of € 256.6 million, down by 10.6% versus € 287 million in 2018.

Net of the disposal of Inthera and Panorama, the decline was -5.4%, in particular:

  • circulation revenue (newsstands + subscriptions) was down by -12.8%, in line with the performance of the relevant market (-16.6% considering Panorama in 2018);
  • revenue from add-on products was up by 0.9% (-6.5% considering Panorama in 2018);
  • advertising revenue (print + digital) fell by an overall -4.8% (-9.1% considering Panorama in 2018) with:
    • the digital channel up by approximately +12.5%, as a result in particular of the good performance of the food and health segments and the strong contribution of AdKaora’s proximity marketing solutions;
    • the print channel down by -14.8%, basically in line with market dynamics
      (-20.2% considering Panorama in 2018).

In 2019, digital revenue as a percentage of total advertising revenue in the Area amounted to approximately 42% (34% in 2018).

In 2019, the Mondadori Group retained its position as Italy’s top multimedia publisher in:

  • print, with a 9% share of the circulation market[11] in terms of value and 15.5 million readers per month;
  • digital, with a 77% reach and over 30 million unique users per month;
  • social, with an aggregate fan base of 31 million followers and 120 profiles.

Adjusted EBITDA before IFRS 16 in the Magazines Italy Area amounted to € 11.2 million, a slight fall versus the prior year (€ 11.9 million). This was attributable to actions that alleviated the impact from the drop in volumes, in turn influenced by the negative performance of the relevant markets, including the ongoing reduction in operating and structural costs; the further improvement in profitability of the digital area (€ 7 million); the disposal of Inthera S.p.A. and Panorama.

IFRS 16 adjusted EBITDA amounted to € 11.3 million.

EBITDA before IFRS 16 amounted to € 9.2 million, improving sharply versus € -0.2 million in 2018, as a result of less extraordinary items

IFRS 16 EBITDA amounted to € 9.4 million.

PERFORMANCE OF ARNOLDO MONDADORI EDITORE S.P.A.
The Parent Company’s income statement at 31 December 2019 shows the same net result as in the consolidated financial statements of € 29.3 million before IFRS 16 (€ 28.2 million IFRS 16), due to the fact that the Company has opted to use the equity method to measure its investments in the separate financial statements.

Revenue amounted to € 228 million and was down versus € 256.6 million in the prior year, due mainly to the reduction in print activities in the Magazines Italy Area (-16.4%, in line with the performance of the relevant markets and as a result also of the disposal of Panorama).

Revenue from the digital operations of the Magazines Italy Area, on the other hand, increased (+1.5%) thanks to the positive results from advertising sales. The Parent Company also recognizes revenue from services provided to other Group companies, equal to € 39.1 million.

Adjusted EBITDA before IFRS 16 increased slightly to € +0.3 million versus € -0.4 million in 2018, due in particular to the positive contribution of the digital operations of the Magazines Italy Area, achieved through efficiency gains and cost revision implemented by Management, which offset the lower margins of print magazines.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AFTER YEAR-END

Approval of Draft Law S.1421 containing provisions to promote and support reading

Following approval by the Chamber of Deputies in July 2019, on 5 February 2020 the Senate passed D.L. S.1421 containing provisions to promote and support reading. Pending the implementing decrees that will set out the terms and timing of application of these provisions more explicitly, the decree introduces – alongside a series of measures aimed, among other things, at disseminating the habit of reading, promoting the attendance of libraries and bookshops, enhancing and supporting the Italian language and the diversity of editorial production – a range of limitations (in terms of value and period) to promotional discount policies.

Specifically, the decree has introduced a reduction in the maximum ordinary discount applicable to books in bookshops, online stores and large retailers from 15% to 5% (15% for school textbooks); points of sale may organize promotions once a year with a 15% discount limit; publishers may apply a maximum discount of 20% (instead of the previous 25%), except for the month of December.

The effects of the introduction of these provisions on book purchasing trends are currently hard to forecast.

Law no. 160/2019 (2020 Budget Law) on early retirement
Under Article 1, paragraph 500, of Law 160/2019 (2020 Budget Law), from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2023, print workers from newspaper and magazine printing companies, and from publishers of newspapers and magazines and press agencies with national circulation, which have submitted to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2023, crisis-related reorganization or restructuring plans, may apply for early retirement with a contribution period of 35 years only (instead of 38 years under the regulations currently in force).

During the relevant time period, early retirement could potentially affect a total of 116 employees of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A., Mondadori Media S.p.A. and Press-di covered by graphics publishing collective labour agreements.

The Board of Directors of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. has convened the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting for Wednesday 22 April 2020 in first call to approve the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019 and, if required, in second call for Wednesday 20 May 2020.

DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION PROPOSAL OF € 0.06 PER ORDINARY SHARE
The Board of Directors will propose to the next Shareholders’ Meeting, convened for Wednesday 22 April 2020 in first call and, if required, in second call for 20 May 2020, the distribution of a unit dividend, gross of tax, of € 0.06 for each ordinary share (net of treasury shares) outstanding on the ex-coupon date.

The total value is € 15.6 million.

The dividend will be paid, in accordance with the provisions of the “Regulations of the markets organized and managed by Borsa Italiana S.p.A.”, from 10 June 2020 (payment date), with ex-coupon date on 8 June 2020 (ex date) and with the date of entitlement to payment of the dividend, pursuant to Article 83-terdecies of the TUF (record date) on 9 June 2020.

PROPOSED RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE AND DISPOSE OF TREASURY SHARES
Following the expiry of the previous authorization resolved upon by the Shareholders’ Meeting on 17 April 2019, with the approval of the financial statements at 31 December 2019, the Board of Directors will propose to the next Shareholders’ Meeting the renewal of the authorization to purchase and dispose of treasury shares with the aim of retaining the applicability of law provisions in the matter of any additional buyback plans and, consequently, of seizing any investment and operational opportunities involving treasury shares.

Below are the key elements of the Board of Directors’ proposal:

  • Motivations

The motivations underlying the request for the authorization to purchase and dispose of treasury shares refer to the opportunity to attribute to the Board of Directors the power:

  • to use the treasury shares purchased as consideration in the acquisition of interests as part of the Company’s investment policy;
  • to use the treasury shares purchased against the exercise of option rights, including conversion rights, deriving from financial instruments issued by the Company, its subsidiaries or third parties and to use the treasury shares for lending, exchange or transfer transactions or to support extraordinary transactions on the Company’s capital or financing transactions that imply the transfer or sale of treasury shares;
  • to undertake any investments, directly or through intermediaries, including for the purpose of containing abnormal movements in share prices, stabilizing share trading and prices, supporting the liquidity of the share on the market, in order to foster the regular conduct of trading beyond normal fluctuations related to market performance, without prejudice in any case to compliance with applicable statutory provisions;
  • to rely on investment or divestment opportunities, if considered strategic by the Company, also in relation to available liquidity;
  • to dispose of treasury shares as part of share-based incentive plans pursuant to Article 114-bis of the TUF, and of plans for the free allocation of shares to Shareholders.
  • Duration

The authorization to purchase treasury shares is set to last until the approval of the financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2020, while the authorization to sell is granted to last for an unlimited period, given the absence of provisions in this regard pursuant to the provisions in force and the opportunity to allow the Board of Directors to make use of the maximum flexibility, also in terms of time, to carry out the acts of disposal of the shares.

  • Maximum number of purchasable treasury shares

The new authorization would allow the purchase, including in more than one tranche, of ordinary shares of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A., up to a maximum number of shares – also taking into account the ordinary shares held, directly and indirectly, in the portfolio from time to time – of no more than 10% overall of the share capital, in accordance with Article 2357, paragraph 3, of the Italian Civil Code.

  • Criteria for purchasing treasury shares and indication of the minimum and maximum purchasing cap

The purchases would be made in compliance with the principle of equal treatment of shareholders under Article 132 of the TUF, in accordance with any of the procedures set out in Article 144-bis of the Issuer Regulation, to be identified from time to time, and any other applicable regulations, as well as, where applicable, the market practices allowed from time to time in force.

Additionally, share purchase transactions may also be carried out in the manner envisaged in Article 3 of EU Delegated Regulation no. 2016/1052 in order to benefit, if the conditions are met, from the exemption under Article 5, paragraph 1, of EU Regulation no. 596/2014 on market abuse with regard to inside information and market manipulation.

As far as disposal transactions are concerned, the authorization would allow the adoption of any appropriate method to fulfill the purposes pursued – including the use of treasury shares to service stock incentive plans and/or the transfer of real and/or personal rights and/or stock lending – to be carried out either directly or through intermediaries, in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations in force.

Without prejudice to the fact that purchases of treasury shares would be made in accordance with the time limits, conditions and requirements established by the applicable Community legislation and by the admitted market practices, the minimum and maximum purchase price would be determined for a unit price not lower than the official Stock Exchange price of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. shares on the day preceding the purchase transaction, reduced by 20%, and not higher than the official Stock Exchange price on the day preceding the purchase transaction, increased by 10%.

However, in terms of purchase prices, the additional conditions set forth in Article 3 of the above EU Delegated Regulation 2016/1052 would apply.

With regard to the provisions of Article 2357, paragraph 1, of the Italian Civil Code, purchases would in any case be made within the limits of the available “extraordinary reserve” as shown in the last duly approved financial statements.

In any case, purchases would be made, in terms of definition of volumes and unit prices, in accordance with the conditions governed by Article 3 of EU Delegated Regulation 2016/1052, and in particular:

  • no shares shall be purchased at a price higher than the higher between the price of the last independent trade and the price of the highest current independent bid on the trading venue where the purchase is carried out;
  • in terms of volumes, no more than 25% of the average daily trading volume of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. shares shall be purchased in the 20 trading days prior to the dates of purchase.

Purchases instrumental in the support to market liquidity shall also be made in accordance with the conditions provided by the admitted market practices.

To date, Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. holds a total of no. 2,938,293 treasury shares (1.124% of the share capital).

For further information on the proposed authorization for the purchase and disposal of treasury shares, reference should be made to the Directors’ Explanatory Report, which will be published within the time limits and in the manner prescribed by applicable regulations.

GRANTING OF SHARES UNDER THE 2017-2019 PERFORMANCE SHARE PLAN: DISCLOSURE PURSUANT TO ART. 84-BIS, PARAGRAPH 5 OF CONSOB REGULATION NO. 11971/1999
The Board of Directors, on the proposal of the Remuneration and Appointments Committee, resolved to grant, effective from 1.6.2020, a total of no. 1,649,965 Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. shares to 10 beneficiaries, in implementation of the provisions contained in the “2017-2019 Performance Share Plan” established by the Board of Directors on 21 March 2017 and subsequently approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting on 27 April 2017 (the “2017-2019 Plan”).

Mention should be made that the 2017-2019 Plan takes the form of a share granting plan and grants its beneficiaries the right to receive, free of charge, shares in the Company provided that, at the end of a reference period of three financial years, the performance targets set in the 2017-2019 Plan have been achieved.

The 10 beneficiaries of the 2017-2019 Plan, identified by name by the CEO, as delegated by the Board of Directors, are the CFO – Executive Director and selected managers.

The characteristics of the 2017-2019 Plan are explained in detail in the Directors’ Report to the Shareholders’ Meeting of 27 April 2017 and in the information document contained therein, available on mondadori.it, Governance section, to which reference should be made.

Attached is the information required by Schedule 7 of Annex 3A to CONSOB Regulation no. 11971/1999 to account for the granting of shares in the context of the 2017-2019 Performance Plan.

PROPOSED ADOPTION OF A 2020-2022 PERFORMANCE SHARE PLAN
The Board resolved, on a proposal from the Remuneration and Appointments Committee, and in keeping with the introduction of the performance share approved last year for the medium/long-term remuneration of executive directors and executives with strategic responsibilities, to submit to the approval of the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting, the adoption of a 2020-2022 Performance Share Plan, in accordance with Article 114-bis of Legislative Decree no. 58 of 24 February 1998, intended for the CFO – Executive Director and a number of Company managers who have an employment and/or directorship relationship with the Company or with its subsidiaries on the granting date of the shares.

With the adoption of the Plan, the Company aims to encourage Management to improve medium to long-term performance, in terms of both industrial performance and growth in the value of the Company.

The Plan envisages the right for beneficiaries to receive a bonus in the form of Company shares, subject to the achievement of specific targets set and measured at the end of the three-year performance period from 2020 to 2022.

These targets are structured to include both shareholder remuneration indicators and management indicators functional to raising the share value, ensuring maximum alignment of Management remuneration and the creation of value for the Company.

For details on the proposed adoption of the 2020-2022 Performance Share Plan, the beneficiaries and the main characteristics of the Regulations of the Plan, reference should be made to the Information Document drawn up by the governing body, pursuant to Article 84-bis and annex 3A of the Issuer Regulation, and to the Explanatory Report, which will be published within the time limits and in the manner prescribed by applicable regulations.

CONSOLIDATED NON-FINANCIAL STATEMENT PURSUANT TO LEGISLATIVE DECREE 254/2016
Under Legislative Decree 254/2016, the Board of Directors’ 2019 Report on Operations of the Mondadori Group is also composed of the Consolidated Non-Financial Statement, a qualitative-quantitative description of the non-financial performance of the Company, associated with environmental, social, and staff-related issues, as well as those regarding respect for human rights, and the fight against active and passive corruption, which are relevant given the activities and characteristics of the Company.

With regard to 2019, the Mondadori Group has updated its materiality analysis, in accordance with the principles set out by the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards (GRI Standards), including the “Media Sector Disclosures”, defined in 2016 and 2014 respectively by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

With a view to continuously improving the process, in 2019 the stakeholder mapping was updated and stakeholder engagement activities were expanded: in addition to external interviews, carried out by involving suppliers of the main utilities and franchisees of Mondadori Store bookshops, an online questionnaire was administered to all Group employees.

The results for the year ended 31 December 2019, approved on today’s date by the Board of Directors, will be presented by the Mondadori Group Management to the financial community in a conference call scheduled today at 3:30 PM.

The corresponding documentation will be available on 1Info (www.1info.it), www.borsaitaliana.it and www.gruppomondadori.it (Investors).

The Financial Reporting Manager – Oddone Pozzi – hereby declares, pursuant to Article 154 bis, paragraph 2, of the Consolidated Finance Law, that the accounting information contained herein corresponds to the Company’s records, books and accounting entries.

Annexes (in the complete pdf):

  • Consolidated balance sheet;
  • Consolidated income statement;
  • Consolidated income statement – fourth quarter;
  • Group cash flow;
  • Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. balance sheet;
  • Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. income statement;
  • Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. cash flow statement;
  • Glossary of terms and alternative performance measures used;
  • Information pursuant to Schedule 7 of Annex 3a to CONSOB Regulation no. 11971/1999

[1] 2019 outlook disclosed to the market prior to application of IFRS 16
[2] Before application of IFRS 16
[3] Before application of IFRS 16
[4] GFK, December 2019 (in terms of value)
[5] ESAIE, 2019 (number of adopted sections)
[6] Databank, 2019
[7] Magazines: -13.9% (Nielsen, cumulative figures at December 2019);
[8] Digital: +3.5% (Nielsen, cumulative figures at December 2019);
[9] -12.4% in terms of value (Internal source, figures at December 2019, newsstands + subscriptions channel)
[10] -11.9% in terms of value (Internal source, figures at December 2019, newsstands + subscriptions channel)
[11] -12.4% in terms of value (Internal source, figures at December 2019, newsstands + subscriptions channel)

Mondadori Retail S.P.A.: Carmine Perna new Managing Director

The Mondadori Group announces that, effective today, Carmine Perna is the new managing director of Mondadori Retail S.p.A.

In his functions, Perna will work towards launching a new phase of development and transformation in a multi-channel perspective of the company that operates in the retail segment of the Mondadori Group, led by CEO Ernesto Mauri.

Mondadori Retail, chaired by Mario Resca, generated revenue of € 191.8 million in 2018 and manages the largest network of bookshops in Italy. The company operates across the Country through approximately 600 directly-managed or franchised points of sale and online with mondadoristore.it.

Carmine Perna – 49, born in Serino (AV) and a graduate in business administration at the Bocconi University of Milan – joined the Mondadori Group in 2006 working in the Administration, Finance and Control Department, before holding positions of increasing responsibility. In 2007, he was appointed CFO of Mondadori France and, in 2010, Executive Director of Finance & Operations of the French subsidiary, before becoming General Managing Director in March 2013, a position he kept until completion of the sale.

Under his leadership, Mondadori France has strengthened its position as one of the top French magazine publishers: in recent years, Perna implemented a major transformation that led to the review and re-launch of all magazines and to a strong plan for brand diversification, including in the digital segment.

Prior to that, Perna worked with the SISAL Group, in H3G S.p.A. and for the Ventaglio Group, holding various roles in the finance area.

The Mondadori Group wishes to thank Pierluigi Bernasconi – who has decided to leave Mondadori Retail for personal reasons and in agreement with the company – for the valuable contribution and professionalism he has shown during his tenure.

Confidenze presents the second edition of Confylab

A writing workshop that offers the possibility of getting your short story published

Confidenze, the Mondadori Group magazine edited by Angelina Spinoni, presents the second edition of ConfyLab, a writing workshop that enables readers to publish their short stories in the magazine and in the blog, with the help of the editorial team and two coaches, authors of successful novels.

Every year the weekly publishes over 500 true stories, which are both the hear and the strength of the magazine and is why it is always on the lookout for new captivating stories to move and engage readers.

Readers can send in a story – of between 7,000 and 14,000 characters – the focus of which must be a secret: of love, family, something unconfessed or also something that, at a certain point, emerges. What is important is that the story is unpublished and personal.

To read and assess the stories received, Confidenze has enrolled the help of two writers – who are also “historic” contributors to the magazine : Annalucia Lomunno and Silvia Montemurro who will polish the texts, justifying request for changes to be made in order to make the stories stronger and more engaging.

Once the stories have been revised, the coaches, together with the editorial team, will judge whether to mark the story for publication and choose the Confidenze “writers”. Stories not published in the magazine may be selected for publication on the blog, where they will remain, signed by the authors, in the section ConfyLab.

Readers can send their stories – from 20 June to 31 August – to this email address: confylab2@mondadori.it. Submissions should be accompanied by an email address, name, surname and possibly a contact telephone number to be used by the editorial team.

Donna Moderna, Corri con noi: enrolments now open for the final run in Morocco

Donna Moderna, the Mondadori Group brand leader in the women’s segment, is opening enrolments for the Iriki Adventure, an exciting trip to Morocco, the last stage of the big Corri con noi (Run with us) project that offers the possibility for women who love to run and walk to train in 9 cities around Italy.

The final adventure will take place from 19 to 27 October in the Erg Chegaga desert where two options will be available: 80 km in 4 days for runners, and 40 km in 4 days for walkers.  Participants will come in contact with local customs and habits and the stories and traditions of Morocco and the enchanting city of Marrakesh.

“It will be a unique experience that will allow us to get to know the territory and its people slowly, as only walking can. And it will also be wonderful to share all of this with the community of women that have been activated by the Corri con noi project,” declared Annalisa Monfreda, editor of Donna Moderna.

Participants will also get to know the editor of the Mondadopri Group magazine who will be running with them, as well as the journalist of the staff, the ambassadors and the many women who have decided to enjoy an unforgettable week in one of the world’s most beautiful the deserts.

The race will take place in a breath-taking landscape, a corner of the Sahara close to the border with Algeria, with some of the country’s most impressive dunes, some of which are 300 metres high.

The runners will sleep in specially equipped tents and will also be able to take part in yoga and dance lessons and cookery courses. They will see sand dunes and high plains of rock and stones, Berber villages and the world’s largest palm grove.

For the women who are already enrolled in Corri con noi – and will take part in the training sessions in 9 Italian cities – the package will cost €2,000. For all other participants the cost will be €2,200. The price includes the entire experience, flights, the race and bib.

Full details of programme and how to enrol can be found on: donnamoderna.com/corriconnoi

Running with us as partners of the initiative are: Royal Air Maroc the Moroccan national airline; Equilibra an historic Italian company that for over 30 years has been the leader in the market for food supplements and natural cosmetics; Salvelox with Salvelox plasters and a line of products for foot health; Tescoma a world leader in kitchen utensils with the Purity of drinks bottles, ideal for sport.

The project is open to all companies interested in contact women involved in an aggregation and empowerment project together with Donna Moderna

Donna Moderna, Italy’s leading network for women network, is an ecosystem that through the magazine, web and social media channels,  embraces a digital audience of 14 million unique users per month (Source: Audiweb TDA media Dec-Feb 2018) and a total audience of 3.5 million readers every month (Source: Audipress 2018/III) to which should be added over 1,100,000 fans on Facebook, more than 500,000 followers on Twitter and 150,000 on Instagram.

At the cinema with Grazia – ‘Il campione’, the latest film starring Stefano Accorsi, an exclusive premiere for Grazia readers

Grazia, the magazine edited by Silvia Grilli, intensifies its relationship with the world of cinema.

 

Grazia and QMI Stardust, a leading entertainment mar­keting and communication agency organised a special screening on Tuesday 16 April for loyal readers and fans of the magazine at the Anteo Palazzo del Ci­nema in Milan of Il Cam­pione, the latest film starring Stefano Accorsi.

 

In addition to Silvia Grilli, the editor of Grazia, also present at the screening were the star of the film, its director Leonardo D’Agostini, the producer Matteo Rovere and the screenwriters Giulia Steigerwalt and Antonella Lattanzi.

 

Il Campione is the story of Christian Ferro (played by Andrea Carpenzano), a genial and unruly football superstar, an idol to fans across the world, but whose antics make him a  constant target of the media. How can he be put back on the straight and narrow? The chairman of his club has an idea: a weekly exam: If he doesn’t pass, he doesn’t play.  Right up until he passes his high school diploma.

The film, in cinemas from today, will be much discussed, given that it starts from a common prejudice that great football players are often both uneducated and undisciplined. But there is much more to this film: there is an encounter between two apparently opposing lifestyles. That of the football player Christian Ferro and his somewhat solitary and reserved teacher, Valerio Fioretti (played by Accorsi), who has to deal with a difficult past. At the beginning they are not able to communicate, then they develop a relationship based on mutual respect and affection, that enables both of them to grow.

 

At the beginning of the film the teacher is weary and demotivated, but the discovers that: “For the first time I’ve once again discovered that I like this job.” The goal-scorer, meanwhile, gradually learns to keep a check on his anger and understands that the biggest challenge he faces in life is not on the field, but with himself.

 

The film, a Groenlandia production with Rai Cinema in association with 3 Marys Enter­tainment, is produced by Matteo Rovere and Sydney Sibilia and distributed by 01Distribution.

 

Donna Moderna launches 50&me

As they approach 50 women feel and are in the middle of their personal and social lives, but also have to face challenges and contradictions that are among the most challenging in their existence. It is an age that is lived with pride and naturalness, but also often with the need to juggle a thousand demands between work and the family.

Donna Moderna, the women’s weekly edited by Annalisa Monfreda has developed the 50&me project to provide a response to the many issues raised, which range from beauty to work, health and caregiving and many more.

50, a turning point. How to face it in order to enjoy it and deal with the complexities? The Mondadori Group brand responds to the many questions raised with articles, videos and a Facebook live campaign dedicated to the most engaging issues for women in this period of their lives.

“Women reach the age of 50 full of energy and expectations. They feel that they still have much to give to society and are not ready to resign themselves to the role of mere spectators. Our project aims to give such women the tools they need to continue to be protagonists,” announced the editor, Annalisa Monfreda.

A large number of companies have already been brought on board by the advertising sales company Mediamond, with native and content marketing projects.

Starting with beauty: 50 is the new 30 for women. But sometimes the mirror doesn’t reflect the image of energy and vitality that one feels: a tired face and a body that begins to show small signs of wear. And it is here that the latest generation of cosmetics and new technology can be of help. With the contribution of experts from BioNike, 50&me wants to offer women concrete and practical beauty advice. This historic Italian dermocosmetic company has forever been involved in scientific and dermatological research and, with Donna Moderna, will address the theme of resilience, in other words “the capacity to absorb impact without breaking”. A concept used initially in physics, and subsequently in psychology, that seems like a made to measure definition for women.

The issue of work is also crucial for women in their fifties: in fact the number of women in this age group is increasing in companies. And work is still important for them, and yet only a very small proportion feel that their talents are used to the full: they often feel lost and in objective difficulty. This why the project – in collaboration with Gruppo Adecco – will also address the issue of repositioning in the workplace and reverse mentoring and the value that women bring within an organisation.

Women also live longer than men, but their health is often more precarious due to both biological and hormonal factors. In this area the50&me project is supported by Protein SA, that will enable us to examine issues related to prevention and integration with its key product Colpropur, which is new to the Italian market. The natural, hydrolysed collagen-based product is used for the preservation of joints, bones, muscles and skin.

The initiative, which will run until the end of the year, will also take a close look at the issue of caregiving (for those who also have to look after aging parents), with information about legal tools for the protection of caregivers, associations around the country that provide support and welfare services provided by companies. And, finally, extensive coverage will also be given to dietary and lifestyle advice for the over-50s, as well as economic and financial advice in order to manage the future in the best way possible, and much more.

50&me is also online with a special on www.donnamoderna.com/50eme that looks in detail at the issues covered in the magazine, with advice and suggestions for how to make the best of your age and looking closely at all of the opportunities and services available for women. All of these issues will also be addressed on a daily basis in the newsletter Un caffè con Donna Moderna.

A series of videos and interviews will be available live on social channels in which experts will discuss and respond to readers’ questions.

Donna Moderna, Italy’s leading network for women, is an ecosystem that through the magazine, web and social media channels, embraces a digital audience of 13 million unique users every month (Source: Audiweb TDA November 2018) and reaches 3.5 million readers each month (Source: Audipress 2018/II) to which should be added the more than 1,100,000 fans on Facebook, over 500,000 followers on Twitter and 150,000 on Instagram.