2016

  • Consolidated net revenue of 1,262.9 million euro: +12.4% versus 1,123.2 million euro in 2015; -2.9% on a like-for-like basis
  • Adjusted EBITDA[1] improves sharply to 108.5 million euro: +48.5% versus 73 million euro in 2015; +20.7% on a like-for-like basis
  • Net profit of 22.5 million euro: tripling versus 6.4 million euro in 2015
  • Net financial position: -263.6 million euro versus -199.4 million euro in 2015 net debt reduced by approximately 100 million euro over last three years,  despite capital expenditure for the acquisitions in 2016

Guidance for 2017-2019 three-year period

  • 2017-2019: completion of path to strengthen competitive position and improve the business and financial performance of core businesses
  • 2017 estimates: pro-forma revenue basically steady versus 2016[2]; high single-digit growth in adjusted EBITDA; 30% increase in net profit; net debt to reduce and reach debt/adjusted EBITDA ratio between 2.2/2x
  • 2019 estimates: consolidated revenue above 1.3 billion euro; adjusted EBITDA of approximately 115 million euro; net profit of 35 million euro; cash generation from ordinary operations around 60 million euro; net financial position of approximately -155 million euro

[1] Adjusted EBITDA: gross operating profit net of income and expenses of a non-ordinary nature (Glossary: annexe 8)

[2] Pro-forma figures: consolidation of the companies acquired in 2016 (Rizzoli Libri and Banzai Media) assumed as from 1 January 2016.

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 2016[1] presented by CEO Ernesto Mauri.

2016 was a truly important year in the history of the Mondadori Group, a year in which it successfully completed its strategic repositioning and laid the structural foundations to address the challenges of its new phase of growth.

To start with, the Group confirmed the positive outcome of the path of change that it embarked on in 2014 which, thanks to the steadfast commitment to focus on its core businesses – achieved also through a number of extraordinary transactions – and contain operating costs and overheads, brought a sharp improvement in results and in Mondadori’s ability to generate financial resources.

Over the last three years, the Group has, in fact, doubled adjusted EBITDA, up from 49.1 million euro to 108.5 million euro (approximately 100 million euro pro-forma), and reduced net debt at end 2016 (-263.6 million euro) by approximately 100 million euro versus end 2013 (-363.2 million euro), despite capital expenditure for the acquisitions made in 2016 (approximately 133 million euro, net of disposals).

In 2016, a crucial step was taken with the acquisition of Rizzoli Libri, which has allowed the Group to increase the contribution of the Books business, to consolidate its presence in the Italian Trade market, and to gain a leadership position in the school textbooks market and in the international illustrated books business (USA in particular).

The acquisition of Banzai Media operations was a cornerstone in the growth strategy of Mondadori’s magazine brands: thanks to this deal, the Group has become Italy’s top publisher also in the digital area with a leadership in key areas – women, food, health&wellness – that are complementary and synergistic with the brands held in its portfolio.

2016 also marked a turning point in the relations with the financial market, following admission to the STAR segment of Borsa Italiana, the start of a path that will shine greater light on the Mondadori Group to enhance the value of the Company and of its activities.

Group performance at 31 December 2016
In 2016, consolidated net revenue totaled 1,262.9 million euro, up by 12.4% versus 1,123.2 million euro in 2015.

Pro-forma revenue (based on the consolidation of the acquired companies as from 1 January) would amount to approximately 1,280 million euro.

On a like-for-like basis, the Group dropped by 2.9%.

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA improved sharply in 2016 (+48.5%), amounting to 108.5 million euro versus 73 million euro in the prior year (pro-forma adjusted EBITDA, including the results of Rizzoli Libri and Banzai Media as from 1 January, would amount to approximately 100 million euro).

The Books Area contributed 75.3 million euro, up by 76% (net of the negative contribution in the first quarter of Rizzoli Libri) versus 42.7 million euro in 2015, while Magazines Italy tripled its contribution to reach 10.5 million euro (Banzai Media consolidated for seven months only).

Even on a like-for-like basis, the Group achieved a remarkable performance, with adjusted EBITDA at 88.2 million euro, up by over 20% versus 2015.

The quarter-by-quarter results confirm the Group’s ability to constantly improve its operational effectiveness, despite the challenging scenario of its relevant markets, deriving from the industrial revision actions and re-organization launched and implemented over the last three years, while still maintaining continuous improvement in the publishing quality of its brands as a key objective.

On a like-for-like basis, operational effectiveness improved from 6.5% to 8.1% of consolidated revenue.

Total EBITDA grew by 15.3%, from 81.6 million euro in 2015 to 94 million euro in the reporting period. 2015 benefited from net positive non-recurring items of 21.2 million euro (from the disposal of certain assets) versus net negative non-recurring items of 3.7 million euro in 2016 related to expenses deriving from acquisitions made.

Consolidated EBIT in the year amounted to 60 million euro, improving by approximately 10% versus 54.5 million euro in 2015, as a result of the abovementioned improvement in EBITDA, despite increased amortization of 7.6 million euro from the changed consolidation scope.

Consolidated profit before taxes came to a positive 42.3 million euro, up by 10.4% versus 38.3 million euro in 2015. Financial costs in 2016 amounted to 17.7 million euro versus 16 million euro in 2015, which had benefited from the positive contribution of 1.6 million euro from the derecognition of a number of put options (Kiver, MUK and NaturaBuy), despite the significant investments made in the acquisition of Rizzoli Libri and Banzai Media, which increased average net debt for the year by approximately 20 million euro, offset by a decrease in the average debt rate (inclusive of amortized costs) of approximately 0.5 bps.

Consolidated profit from continuing operations, after minority interests, came to a positive 21.6 million euro, up by 43% versus 15.1 million euro at 31 December 2015.

Group profit at 31 December 2016 came to a positive 22.5 million euro, improving by 16.1 million euro and tripling the 6.4 million euro reported in 2015 (which included the loss of 8.7 million euro from the disposal of Monradio operations). Net profit in 2016 includes a capital gain of 1 million euro, net of relating expenses, from disposals.

The Group’s net financial position at 31 December 2016 came to -263.6 million euro versus -199.4 million euro at 31 December 2015, as a result of cash outlays for extraordinary transactions of 132 million euro, despite the Group’s positive cash generation from ordinary operations of 68 million euro (48 million euro on a like-for-like basis).

At 31 December 2016, cash flow from operations came to a positive 99.4 million euro (74.4 million euro on a like-for-like basis); ordinary cash flow (after the cash-out for financial charges and taxes for the year) amounted to 67.9 million euro, which is net of the cash outlays in the January-March quarter (not consolidated in 2016) of Rizzoli Libri, attributable to the investments made and to the seasonal nature of the Education business; on a like-for-like basis, Group cash generation from ordinary operations came to 48.4 million euro, improving versus 45.4 million euro in 2015.

Cash flow from extraordinary operations came to -132.1 million euro, as a result of capital expenditure net of disposals of 132.6 million euro, restructuring costs of approximately 15 million euro, and cash-ins from prior-years’ taxes amounting to 15.5 million euro.

In 2016, Group employees amounted to 3,261 units (3,076 units in 2015); on a like-for-like basis, the headcount dropped by 6.9% versus 31 December 2015, as a result of the ongoing reorganization process implemented both in Italy and in France.

Business outlook
In 2016, the Mondadori Group accomplished the goals of strategic repositioning and business-financial stability it had set three years ago, securing itself a leadership position and positive profitability in all its business areas, while continuing to push strongly on efficiency measures consistent with the relevant market trends.

Additionally, overall profitability improved significantly in the period, with adjusted EBITDA (pro-forma)[2] at approximately 100 million euro, as well as cash flow from operations, reducing total net debt to adjusted EBITDA (pro-forma) within 2.6x.

Over the 2017-2019 three-year period, the Group will continue efforts to strengthen its competitive position and improve the business and financial performance of its core businesses, through ongoing focus on publishing quality and optimization of operational processes and cost structure, while paying particular attention to the achievement of synergies arising from the integration of Rizzoli Libri, to the development of the Digital Area of Magazines Italy, and to the plan to expand the Franchising channel in the Retail Area.

In line with the above strategy, the plan sets operational targets which, based on the current scope, allow the Group to estimate for 2019 consolidated revenue above 1.3 billion euro, adjusted EBITDA of approximately 115 million euro, a net profit of 35 million euro, cash generation from ordinary operations close to 60 million euro, and a negative net financial position of around 155 million euro, net of the impact of any dividend distribution.

In light of today’s relevant context, it is reasonable to predict for 2017 basically steady pro-forma3 revenue versus 2016 and a “high single-digitgrowth of adjusted EBITDA, with a resulting improvement in profit margins. The net profit for the year is expected to rise sharply by approximately 30%. Lastly, net debt at end 2017 is estimated to drop versus 31 December 2016, with a debt/adjusted EBITDA ratio at 2.2/2x.

Business areas
Books
In 2016, the Mondadori Group confirmed its leadership position in the Trade market with a 29.3% share (23.1% on a like-for-like basis, net of Rizzoli Libri brands), and secured itself the top position also in the school textbooks market, following the integration of Rizzoli Education activities, with a 24% share of textbook adoptions[3].

In the reporting period, the Area’s revenue totaled 475.1 million euro, up by 48.1% versus 320.8 million euro in the prior year, due basically to the effects of the consolidation of Rizzoli Libri from the second quarter.

On a like-for-like basis:

  • Trade revenue grew by 1.7%, despite the selective publishing policy focused on improving efficiency and profitability;
  • the Educational segment was basically steady (-0.4%);
  • distribution activities fell sharply due to the termination of a number of distribution contracts.

Adjusted EBITDA increased by approximately 76% to reach 75.3 million euro versus 42.7 million euro in 2015. A result ascribable to the consolidation of Rizzoli Libri as from 1 April 2016 and to the 30.8% increase on a like-for-like basis. The reporting period reaped the benefits of the new management policy launched in 2015, focused on a targeted publishing policy and on the ongoing optimization of the operating processes in the Trade segment, which significantly increased the contribution margin; concurrently, action continued on containing fixed costs which, together with the increased performance of Mondadori’s Educational Area, contributed to further improving profitability, which stood, on a like-for-like basis, at 18.2% versus 13.3% in the prior year.

 

In the April-December consolidation period, Rizzoli Libri contributed 19.4 million euro to reported EBITDA, mainly as a result of the positive performance of the schools segment, which excludes the negative contribution in the first quarter from the seasonal nature of the Education business.

The Area’s EBITDA amounted to 72.5 million euro, up by 57.7% versus 45.9 million euro in 2015, which included the capital gain of 7.6 million euro from the transfer of the interest held in the Harlequin Mondadori joint venture, despite a higher percentage of restructuring costs versus the prior year (4.3 million euro in 2016 versus 0.5 million euro in 2015). 2016, instead, included charges of 2.3 million euro for the acquisition of Rizzoli Libri.

Retail
In 2016, revenue generated by the Retail Area amounted to 199.6 million euro, in line with the prior year on a like-for-like basis. As of 1 April 2016, following the consolidation of the acquisition of Rizzoli Libri, activities relating to Librerie Rizzoli have been absorbed by the Retail Area; as a result, the Area increased revenue by an overall 1.6%.

The analysis by channel of the Area shows the following:

  • a growth in Megastores (+2.4%), driven by the openings of Milano San Pietro all’Orto in June 2015 and Arese in April 2016 (-5.5% on a like-for-like basis);
  • the good performance of franchised Bookstores (+0.2%), driven by the development of the network (-1.9% on a like-for-like basis);
  • the 4.8% drop of directly-managed bookstores (+2.7% on a store like-for-like basis);
  • the growth of the online channel (+8.6%), specifically in the Book product (+12%);
  • a more moderate drop by the Bookclub (-3.4%) than in prior years.

In 2016, the Retail Area’s adjusted EBITDA amounted to 2.3 million euro on a like-for-like basis, up by 3.6% versus the prior year (1.8 million euro including the result of Librerie Rizzoli).

A result achieved through ongoing cost-curbing measures, which led to a lower percentage of overheads and personnel costs, despite the reduction in the product margin arising from the different product/channel mix, related also to the structural decline of the book clubs channel.

EBITDA in 2016 amounted to 1.9 million euro (1.4 million euro including the result of Librerie Rizzoli) versus 1.8 million euro in the prior year.

Magazines Italy
In 2016, the Group retained its leadership of the magazine market, with a circulation share, in terms of value, of 31.7%, steady versus December 2015[4].

In the reporting period, the Area’s revenue amounted to 310.8 million euro, basically steady (+0.4%) versus 309.6 million euro in the prior year (-3.8% on a like-for-like basis, net of the effects of the acquisition of Banzai Media, consolidated as from 1 June 2016).

Specifically:

  • circulation revenue: down by approximately 3%;
  • revenue from add-on products: basically in line with 2015 (-0.6%);
  • total advertising revenue: up by approximately 13%, pushed by the acquisition of Banzai Media; on a like-for-like basis, gross advertising sales on Group brands in Italy (print+web) fell by 3.8%.

Banzai Media, consolidated as of June 2016, contributed approximately 12.8 million euro to Magazines Italy revenue, bringing overall revenue of the properties at approximately 18 million euro, basically tripling the figures of 2015, and accounting for 21% of total advertising revenue.

In 2016, the Group reached a unique audience of 16 million/month,[5] becoming Italy’s top digital publisher, a position corroborated by comScore surveys, which reported in December 2016 an audience of 23.7 million unique users/month.

Adjusted EBITDA in the Magazines Italy Area improved sharply, rising from 3.5 million euro to 10.5 million euro, despite the drop in revenue triggered by the market context, driven by the effective review of the publishing structure and by the containment of promotional activities, while retaining the traditional focus on the publishing quality of the titles. The reporting period additionally saw a sharp drop in industrial costs, achieved also as a result of the renegotiation of printing contracts.

The Area’s EBITDA confirmed the growth trend, increasing from 0.4 million euro in 2015 to 3.8 million euro in 2016, as a result of the above actions and despite higher restructuring costs.

Magazines France
Mondadori France’s revenue came to 321.6 million euro in 2016, down by -3.9% versus 334.6 million euro in 2015.

Against a shrinking market backdrop, Mondadori France retained its position as second player in the magazine advertising market, with its share (in terms of volume) steady at 10.9%.

Advertising revenue (print-digital) fell by 6.5% versus 2015: digital advertising (almost 18% of total advertising revenue) grew by over +16%, partly offsetting the decrease from print advertising sales (-10.3% in terms of value).

Circulation revenue (newsstands+subscriptions), which accounts for approximately 75% of the total, showed an overall -2.9% decline, slightly improving versus the prior year, thanks to the steady performance of subscriptions, which make for over half the total (53%).

Digital activities grew by an overall 11.6%, driven by the digital activities of the properties (+9.5%) and by NaturaBuy activities (+23.5%).

Adjusted EBITDA came to 33.2 million euro, down by 8% versus the prior year, due in particular to M&A costs in the year with margins on revenue again above 10% (10.3% in 2016 versus 10.8% in 2015).

In 2016, Mondadori France continued to focus its strategy on editorial and overhead cost containment to counter the lingering weakness of the relevant markets, with a view to further adjusting the organization to market changes, while retaining the ability to make investments in quality and in the gradual digitization of publishing activities. Digital activities continued to enjoy positively growing margins in the reporting period versus 2015.

The Area’s EBITDA, amounting to 30.8 million euro, was down by 5% versus 2015 (32.4 million euro), to a lesser extent as a result also of lower restructuring costs.

Performance of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A.
The financial statements of the Parent Company Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. show a loss of 15.2 million euro for the year ended 31 December 2016, improving versus 32 million euro reported in the prior year.

Main significant events after year-end
On 29 September 2016, the Board of Directors approved the plan on the merger by incorporation of the subsidiary Banzai Media S.r.l. in Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A., prepared pursuant to art. 2501-ter and art. 2505, par. 1, of the Italian Civil Code, concurrently approved by the Board of Directors of Banzai Media S.r.l.

The transaction aims to achieve the full integration of Banzai Media activities with the digital properties of Magazines Italy. The value of Banzai Media’s brands will, instead, remain separate and distinct. The merger will give birth to a unified product range with the potential to present itself as a leader to both advertisers and users, improving time to market and sharing the wealth of mutual assets and know-how, leveraging on greater streamlined business processes.

On 8 November, the Board of Directors approved the merger by incorporation, with no share exchange, of the wholly-owned company Banzai Media S.r.l., in accordance with the previously approved merger plan.

The merger, signed on 10 January, took effect for statutory purposes as from 15 January 2017, and for accounting and tax purposes as from 1 January 2017.

The Board of Directors of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. called the Shareholders’ Meeting on Thursday 27 April 2017 in first call.

Renewal of the authorization to purchase and sell treasury shares
Following the expiry of the preceding authorization resolved upon by the Shareholders’ Meeting on 21 April 2016, with the approval of the financial statements at 31 December 2016, the Board of Directors will propose to the next Shareholders’ Meeting the renewal of the authorization to purchase and sell treasury shares with the aim of retaining the applicability of law provisions in the matter of any additional re-purchase plans and, consequently, of picking up any investment and operational opportunities involving treasury shares.

Here below are the main elements of the proposal made by the Board of Directors:

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

  • to use the treasury shares purchased as compensation for the acquisition of interests within the framework of the Company’s investments;
  • 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 possibly rely on investment or divestment opportunities, if considered strategic by the Company, also in relation to available liquidity;
  • to sell treasury shares as part of share-based incentive plans pursuant to art. 114-bis of the TUF, and of plans for the free allocation of shares to Shareholders.

Duration
Until the Shareholders’ Meeting called to approve the financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2017.

Maximum number of purchasable treasury shares
The renewed authorization will enable the Company to reach the cap of 10% of its share capital, also considering the shares held directly and indirectly from time to time, in line with the previous authorization.

Criteria for purchasing treasury shares and indication of the minimum and maximum purchasing cap
Purchases shall be made on regulated markets pursuant to the combined provisions of art. 132 of Legislative Decree no. 58/1998, of art. 5 of Regulation (EU) 596/2014, (ii) of art. 144-bis of the Issuer Regulation, (iii) of the EU and national legislation on market abuse, and (iv) of Accepted Practices.

Specifically, purchases shall be made on regulated markets, according to operating criteria which do not allow the direct combination of the purchase negotiation proposals with pre-determined sale negotiation proposals.

The minimum and maximum purchase price would be determined under the same conditions established by the preceding Shareholders’ Meeting authorizations, i.e. at a unit price not lower than the official Stock Exchange price of the day preceding the purchase transaction, reduced by 20%, and not higher than the official Stock Exchange price of the day preceding the purchase transaction, increased by 10%.

In terms of daily prices and volumes, the purchase transactions would be completed in compliance with the conditions established in art. 3 of the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052.

With regard to the sale of treasury shares, the Board of Directors resolved to propose to the Shareholders’ Meeting to sell the shares in any appropriate manner in the interest of the Company, for purposes which include the sale on regulated markets, the exercise of option rights, including conversion rights, deriving from financial instruments issued by the Company or third parties, and support to incentive plans approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting.

To date, Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. holds a total of no. 80,000 treasury shares, equal to 0.031% of the share capital.

For further information on the proposed authorization for the purchase and sale 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 current laws and regulations.

Proposed adoption of a Performance Share Plan
The Board resolved, on a proposal from the Remuneration and Appointments Committee, to submit to the approval of the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting, the adoption of a Performance Share Plan for 2017/2019, in accordance with art. 114-bis of Legislative Decree no. 58 of 24 February 1998, intended for the CFO-Executive Director and/or other executive managers with strategic responsibilities and/or second-line managers/executives of the Group.

With the adoption of the Plan, the Company aims to incentivize 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 2017 to 2019.

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 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 art. 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 current laws and regulations.

Proposed amendments to the company by-laws
The Board resolved to submit a proposal to the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting on amendments to art. 7 (adoption of increased voting rights pursuant to art. 127-quinquies of Legislative Decree no. 58/98) and art. 17 (amendments to appointment procedures for the Board of Directors by means of a so-called blocked lists system) of the Company by-laws. For further information on the amendments, reference should be made to the explanatory reports, which will be published within the time limits and in the manner prescribed by current laws and regulations.

Sustainability Report
The Board of Directors of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. also aligned financial and non-financial disclosures by approving its 2016 Sustainability Report, drafted according to the GRI Guidelines, standard G4, based on the “in accordance – core rating”.
A summary of the Sustainability Report in line with the provisions will be supplemented in the Annual Report; the complete document will be made available at the Shareholders’ Meeting.

The 2016 results, approved on today’s date by the Board of Directors, will be presented by the Mondadori Group Management to the financial community today, 5:00 PM, at the Mondadori Megastore in piazza Duomo, Milan.

The corresponding documentation will be made available on 1Info at www.1info.it, www.borsaitaliana.it and www.mondadorigroup.com (Investors).

The Executive Manager responsible for the drafting of the corporate accounting documentation – Oddone Pozzi – hereby declares, pursuant to Art. 154 bis, par. 2, of the Finance Consolidation Act, that the accounting documentation contained in this press release corresponds to the Company’s accounting entries, books and results.

Annexes (see attached pdf):

  1. Consolidated balance sheet;
  2. Consolidated income statement;
  3. Consolidated income statement – fourth quarter;
  4. Group cash flow;
  5. Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. balance sheet;
  6. Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. income statement;
  7. Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. cash flow statement;
  8. Glossary of terms and alternative performance measures used.

[1] On 30 September 2015, the transfer of 80% of the share capital of Monradio S.r.l. to R.T.I. S.p.A. was completed for a consideration of 36.8 million euro. Pursuant to IFRS 5 (“Non-current assets held for sale”), the Group’s radio business was classified as “discontinued operations” and as such entered in these consolidated financial statements. As a result, in the income statement for 2015, the results achieved in the period, along with the depreciation of operations made in order to bring their value in line with the consideration from the transfer, were classified under “Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations”.

 

[2] Pro-forma figures: consolidation of the companies acquired in 2016 (Rizzoli Libri and Banzai Media) assumed as from 1 January 2016.

[3] AIE, 2016 ministerial data based on textbook adoption (number of sections).

[4] Internal source: Press-di, December 2016.

[5] Source: Audiweb at December 2016

Digital School: a new advanced course in content and social media management starts in January

Lessons at the Donna Moderna, CasaFacile and Sale&Pepe training school continue successfully, in collaboration with Piano C

The success of the Digital School, the training school of Donna Moderna, CasaFacile and Sale&Pepe continues, the experience with which the three Mondadori Group brands – reference points for the world of women, interiors and food – make their skills and competence in the digital and social media fields available to others. A formula already rewarded with enrolments that  sold out for the basic course of the second edition, which ended in November.

The lessons of the advanced course in content and social media management will start on Saturday 28 January 2017. The programme, which is aimed at people with previous knowledge of the web but who want to become autonomous in online brand development,  is organised in 5 classroom sessions and a concluding workshop. A total of 21 hours dedicated to content design, data analysis and the business management of the activity, through first-hand testimony by the editors and digital professionals of the three magazines, classroom tutoring and case histories.

Collaboration will also continue with Piano C, the social innovation laboratory that brings together women and work and that hosts the lessons of the course in a space in the centre of Milan where digital and other projects are developed to contrast female unemployment in Italy.

The training offer of the Digital School is also available in e-learning modules, with 14 courses 5 structured programmes designed to meet different needs, such as “Content Strategy”, “Social Media Pro”, “Promoting a business online”.

For information about how to enrol and costs, please go to digitalschool.it or write to  digitalschool.aula@mondadori.it.

 

Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. announces the purchase on the MTA (Electronic Stock Market), in the period from 30 November to 2 December 2016, of a total of no. 80,000 treasury shares (0.031% of the share capital) at an average unit price of €0.9133, for a total amount of €73,061.5, under the authorization to purchase treasury shares resolved by the Shareholders’ Meeting on 21 April 2016 (previously subject to disclosure also pursuant to art. 144-bis of Consob Regulation 11971/1999).

Mention should be made that, in accordance with the announcement made on 29 November 2016, the purchase of treasury shares is instrumental in the Specialist’s support to the liquidity of the share on the STAR segment.

Details of the buyback day by day:

 

Data operazioneN. azioni acquistatePrezzo medio ponderato (euro)Controvalore (euro)
30/11/201630.0000,909827.294,0
01/12/201625.0000,919222.980,0
02/12/201625.0000,911522.787,5
TOTALE80.0000,913373.061,5

 

Following these transactions, Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. to date directly owns no. 80,000 treasury shares, equal to 0.031% of the share capital.

***

Mention should be made that the Shareholders’ Meeting held on 21 April 2016 had authorized the purchase of a maximum amount of 26,145,834 treasury shares, enabling the Company to reach the cap of 10% of its share capital.

The authorization to purchase treasury shares shall last until the approval of the financial statements at 31 December 2016 and, in any case, for a period not exceeding 18 months from the effective date of the resolution made by the Shareholders’ Meeting.

Under the authorization, purchases are made – pursuant to art. 132 of Legislative Decree n. 58/98 and art. 144-bis, par. 1, letter b) of Consob Regulation no. 11971/1999 – on the regulated markets according to the operating criteria established in the organization and management regulations of the same markets, which do not allow the direct matching of buy orders against predetermined sell orders, and also in compliance with any additional applicable regulations.

Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. announces that it has completed the transfer today, through its subsidiary Rizzoli Libri S.p.A., of the Bompiani business unit to Giunti Editore S.p.A.

The total price of the transaction, cashed in today, amounts to 16.5 million euro, 5.3 million euro of which related to assets transferred to the buyer.

The transfer of Bompiani was completed in accordance with the remedies set out in the provision issued by the Antitrust Authority, as part of the acquisition of Rizzoli Libri completed on 14 April 2016.

***

Notice is given that the minutes relating to the Board of Directors’ approval of the plan on the merger of the wholly-owned company Banzai Media S.r.l., as announced on 8 November 2016, are available at the Company’s registered office, through the authorized storage mechanism 1info (www.1info.it) and on the Company website www.gruppomondadori.it (Governance section).

In 2017 Piemme will publish the new novel by Paula Hawkins

Piemme has announced the publication of Into the Water, the highly anticipated novel by Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train, an extraordinary worldwide phenomenon and one of the biggest international best-sellers ever.

Into the Water is a story of psychological suspense concerning the many faces of truth and a family that risks drowning in its secrets.

Don’t trust a surface that is too calm: you never know what it conceals. With the same narrative force that has captured millions of readers around the world with The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins gives us a multifaceted novel that is rich in emotions. When the river of a small town gives up the bodies, within a few weeks of each other, of a single mother and her teenage daughter, what also comes to the surface is a much more complicated and surprising affair than expected. As in The Girl on the Train, INTO THE WATER  comes from a deep and powerful understanding of human instincts and the damage they can cause.

INTO THE WATER offers surprises on every page,” said the American editor Sarah McGrath. “As in The Girl on the Train, also here the murders are part of a bigger story. INTO THE WATER shows us what the tricks of memory can do and the ways in which the past creeps dangerously into the present and the future.”

“Once again Paula explores the fascinating depths of our mind,” says the British editor Sarah Adams, “reminding us that things are rarely as they seem, and prompting us to investigate the reality around us.”

“An original and courageous book,” said Paula Hawkins’ agent, Lizzy Kremer.

The novel will be published in the United States and in Great Britain on 2 May 2017.

Paula Hawkins is the author of the worldwide bestseller The Girl on the Train, which has sold over 18 million copies around the world. The novel spent 79 weeks on the New York Times bestsellers list, and more than three months in the number one spot. In Italy it has sold over 600,000 copies, and has never left the bestsellers list since it was published in June 2015, and remains in the top ten best-selling books. The Girl on the Train was recently adapted for the cinema starring Emily Blunt.

Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. announces that, under provision no. 8291, Borsa Italiana S.p.A. has granted today the STAR (Segment for High Requirement Shares) qualification to the ordinary shares of the Company, and their trading on this segment of the Electronic Stock Market (MTA).

Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. has successfully completed the admission process, having met all the requirements, the governance characteristics and the procedures under the Regulations of the markets organized and managed by Borsa Italiana.

“Our admission to the STAR segment of Borsa Italiana marks a further step on the path of development that Mondadori Group has taken over the past three years, positioning itself among the top companies listed on the Italian stock market”, said Ernesto Mauri, CEO of Mondadori Group.

“2016 has been a turning point that has changed the history of our Company: over the past few months, we have continued to focus on our core business – Books and Magazines – also through two important acquisitions, Rizzoli Libri and Banzai Media, achieved thanks to our financial strength”, stressed Ernesto Mauri. “Next week we will embark on a new path towards the further development of our relations with the market and with Italian and international investors, which will shine greater light on Mondadori Group’s business activities, in order to enhance the value of our Company, also through corporate governance practices that are in line with best international standards and through high levels of liquidity of our share”, ended Mauri.

The first trading day on the STAR segment is scheduled on 7 December 2016; EQUITA SIM S.p.A. will act as Specialist of the share.

***

Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. also announces its intention to start, from today, a share buyback programme for a maximum of no. 80,000 shares (0.031% of the share capital), in compliance with applicable legislation and within the limits set out by the resolution adopted by the Shareholders’ Meeting held on 21 April 2016, instrumental in the Specialist’s support to the liquidity of the share.

Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. shares will be bought back on the MTA in accordance with art. 144-bis, par. 1, lett. b) of Consob Regulation 11971/1999, with the legislation under European Regulation no. 596/2014, and with other applicable provisions, in order to ensure, inter alia, equal treatment of shareholders, pursuant to art. 132 of the T.U.F..

To date, Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. holds no treasury shares in its portfolio.

Interni presents “Italian Design Icons”

100 companies, 500 icons and 100 designers that outline the evolution of taste and design for daily and international living

INTERNI will end 2016 with a 6% increase compared with 2015

What is it that makes so many Italian design objects authentic icons? To explain, INTERNI has produced a special collectors’ issue dedicated to these inimitable objects and their creators. ITALIAN DESIGN ICONS examines the evolution of design and style for living through over 500 iconic italian products produced since 1954. Furniture and accessories very different from each other for their historical, linguistic and cultural characteristics but which have, however, an essential common denominator: they are all still in production and available, both in Italy and abroad..

ITALIAN DESIGN ICONS is a special issue that continues the overview of Italian design offered by INTERNI in 2014 with the volume produced to celebrate the magazine’s 60th anniversary.” 60 said the editor Gilda Bojardi. “Following the same timeline, divided by decades, this illustrated story aims to promote Made in Italy around the world with a series of critical reflections on creativity, talent, the capacity to respond to stimuli and ideas from the history of design, new approaches, as well as from the global scenario and transformations in manufacturing and production,” the editor concluded.

The collection of iconic products is enhanced also by the testimony of 24 internationally renowned designers who discuss and explain their most important and representative work through a sort of design self-portrait. The volume ends with some considerations about what some of the icons of tomorrow might be. In other words, products of today that define contemporary trends in living and create the new bases for new expressive languages.

ITALIAN DESIGN ICONS will receive an official preview this week, during Art Basel Miami Beach 2016, on the occasion of the exhibition “1958, The Birth Of Two Legends: Italian Monochrome and Sanlorenzo shipyard”(from 29 November to 1 December), organised on board a ship of more than 30 metres built by Sanlorenzo, the boat-builder, that began operations in 1958 and is now the world’s second producer of yachts of over 24 metres, in collaboration with the historic gallery Tornabuoni Arte.

The volume, which will have an extra print-run of 3,500 copies in English with an Italian translation, will also be distributed at the leading design showrooms in the city.

ITALIAN DESIGN ICONS has been supported by many of the best and most representative brands in the design sector and beyond, contributing to the excellent results of the INTERNI systems that will end 2016 with a 6% increase compared with 2015.

With 188 pages and contributions from well-know critics– Cristina Morozzi, Marco Romanelli and Matteo Vercelloni – ITALIAN DESIGN ICONS will be available from all good newsstands from 6 December as a supplement to the new edition of the magazine at the price of €10 (including the magazine).

At Mondadori Stores this Christmas win a book “for life” and a year of prizes for the whole family

This year Mondadori Store is launching a special competition for customers who buy, during the Christmas season, books, music, films, toys, gift boxes and stationery at one of the 600 stores across Italy or from Mondadoristore.it.

The prizes available include, a book “for life”, with which a lucky reader, drawn from all those who participate in the Mondadori Store initiative, will be able to enrich his or her personal library. The winner will receive directly at home one book every month for 30 years, a total of 360 books,  chosen on the basis of the reader’s preferences.

The Mondadori Store competition also aims to reward Italian families with a gift of one year’s shopping and a year of petrol, two important elements in the family budget. For the first name draw, a coupon worth €8,000 to spend at a preferred supermarket, and, for the second name drawn,  a coupon worth del €4,000 in petrol that can be used at a petrol station chosen by the customer.

Finally, there are also 1,000 Mondadori Store €5 gift cards.

The promotion will run until 8 January, when you buy using the PAYBACK card, one of the products in the 2016 Mondadori Store Christmas Gift Guide, available in stores and online. For full information and rules, please go to Mondadoristore.it.

Confidenze tra amiche is 70

With the strength of an affectionate community of readers, the Mondadori magazine celebrates an important anniversary with a special collectors’ issue

Confidenze tra amiche blows out 70 candles as it celebrates an important anniversary with a special collectors’ issue, on newsstands from Wednesday 23 November.

The historic Mondadori magazine remains a point of reference for an audience of affectionate readers with which is deals, in a confidential tone and complicit language, issues about current affairs, fashion, beauty, wellbeing, psychology, DIY, cooking and the home.

“It is extraordinary how Confidenze tra amiche has managed to maintain over time its vocation as a mirror for women with a strictly emotional vision of daily reality,”  declared the editor Susanna Barbaglia. “In planning the special issue for the magazine’s 70th anniversary, we felt strongly the timeliness with which Confidenze has always recorded changes in habits and women’s needs through a narrative driven by writers and real stories,” Barbaglia continued. “After 70 years, the direct testimony of readers, the events and the protagonists of our times, presented in both a journalistic and literary approach and commented on our blog, remain at the very heart of the magazine,” the editor concluded.

The strength of Confidenze tra amiche is the stories, often written by the readers themselves. Stories about how love, careers, friendship and health have changed their lives.

A patrimony of content that for years has ensured the success of the magazine and that is highlighted also in the special collectors’ issue, that features on the cover the current Miss Italy, Rachele Risaliti:  52 pages of stories to read; seven extraordinary accounts of the 1940s, with original drawings and four new love stories written exclusively for the anniversary of the Mondadori magazine.

And to satisfy cooking fans, Confidenze tra amiche on the newsstands, will include with the special issue a special cooking insert  with 12 recipes for an exclusive celebration.

The title has a strong community of readers who are active on Facebook with 40,000 fans and also across the country, thanks to events orgnaised by the magazine’s staff in various cities and towns around Italy.

The campaign in support of the initiative has been conceived and developed by Hi! Communication.-

AdKaora confirms its position among the leading players in mobile marketing and looks to the future

The growth of AdKaora continues as it confirms its position among the leading players in mobile marketing in Italy following the acquisition of Banzai in 2015, now part of the Mondadori Group.

The agency, which is specialises in the provision of marketing and advertising solutions, ended the first 9 months of the year with an increase in revenues of over 60% compared with the same period of 2015, thanks to  a significant hike in mobile planning, which generated revenues of €2.6 million during the period (consolidated by the Mondadori Group since 1 June 2016).

This particular business line was driven by the development of an internal mobile DSP, hakaMobile, the proprietary DMP enhanced by intragroup data and exclusive publishers, as well as the development of creative and technological solutions, such as the PlaySunrise video format and the drive to store Pass2Ngage, a powerful online/offline bridging tool.

“Innovation and quality are tow very important drivers for us and, by choosing our products, our customers recognise the added value of every collaboration. We are extremely satisfied with the results that we have achieved but, obviously, we won’t stop here. Indeed, we have a number of new projects in the pipeline for the end of the year,” announced Luca Nigro, co-founder and chief innovation officer of AdKaora.

In terms of the company’s organic growth the recent creation should be noted of, on the one hand, a marketing division, with the task of analysing market trends and anticipating the evolution of the market to provide an increasingly articulated and structured offer, while also consolidating the agency’s positioning. Head up by Antonella Caliandro, who, after a number of years at Alkemy, moved to AdKaora where she has taken on increasing responsibility before being appointed Marketing Manager.

On the other hand, AdKaora has strengthened the already close collaboration with agencies and media centres with the appointment of Francesca Degasperis as Agency Relationship Manager. After a number of years of experience in companies such as Dada, Buongiorno and the start up BeeAd, she will have the responsibility of coordinating the sales team and supporting AdKaora’s vast offer with the principal objective of offering its clients the best cross-device solutions in the market.

“AdKaora is in a very important phase of its development. The health of the company is excellent, but as real fighters, we are already looking to 2017 with renewed enthusiasm and a mission and determination to continue to grow in a health and organic manner. This is the basis for the decision to create a marketing unit, led by Antonella Caliandro, who brings her crossover company and agency experience in digital marketing, and to entrust to the extensive experience of Francesca Degasperis in the world of mobile advertising the consolidation and development of the business with agencies and media centres,” said Davide Tran, CEO of AdKaora.