2023

Board of Directors approves results as at 31 December 2023

MONDADORI GROUP: 2023 EARNINGS UP STRONGLY ON 2022

  • Consolidated net revenues € 904.7 million, +0.2% on 2022 and +1.1% on a like-for-like basis
  • Adjusted EBITDA € 152.1 million, +11.5% on 2022. Overall, profitability stands at 16.8%, up by almost 2 percentage points on 2022 and in the upper part of the guidance communicated (16-17%)
  • Group net profit € 62.4 million, +20% on 31 December 2022
  • Solid cash generation confirmed with an Ordinary Cash Flow of € 68.7 million, up 15% compared to the 2022 figure and in the upper part of the guidance (€ 65-70 million)
  • Net financial position (no IFRS 16) € -86.1 million. Considering the effects of IFRS 16, the NFP is € -158.6 million, showing an NFP/Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 1.0x, perfectly in line with the target communicated and falling sharply from 1.3x at the end of 2022
  • The Group’s significant ability to self-finance its growth policy via external lines and to remunerate shareholders is confirmed
  • Proposed distribution of a dividend of € 0.12 per ordinary share (for a total of approximately € 31 million), +9% on 2022

OUTLOOK

  • Revenues expected to grow low single-digit in 2024, also thanks to the effects of the consolidation of Star Shop
  • Adjusted EBITDA expected to achieve mid single-digit growth, with margins around 17% thanks to targeted pricing policies and the further reduction in paper and printing costs
  • 2026: expected consolidated revenues, on a like-for-like basis, of around € 1 billion and a proportionally growing margin with consequent confirmation of profitability at around 17%
  • Significant cash generation capacity in the three-year period 2024-2026, with an expected annual Ordinary Cash Flow of no less than € 70 million
  • The Group’s significant cash generation will be allocated to both maximising the company’s value creation, through a continuous development strategy, and a growing shareholder remuneration policy: further significant increase of the Dividend Policy

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 2023 presented by CEO Antonio Porro.

“In the financial year just ended, the Mondadori Group continued to develop its core business, focused on strengthening its presence in book publishing as well as on promotion and distribution for third-party publishers. The Group achieved excellent consolidated earnings, significantly higher than the previous year. The Group’s current configuration, also in light of the economic and financial results achieved in 2023, allows us to predict further improvement for 2024 of results even with the same consolidation scope”, underlined Antonio Porro, CEO of the Mondadori Group.

PERFORMANCE AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

Consolidated revenues for 2023 amounted to € 904.7 million, a slight increase (+0.2%) on the € 903 million recorded in 2022. Net of the changes in consolidation scope between the two financial years, the organic growth in revenues rose to 1.1%.

The Adjusted EBITDA for 2023 of € 152.1 million (compared to € 136.3 million in 2022) shows an increase of almost € 16 million (+11.5% and consistent with the guidance, which estimated a high single/low double-digit increase) to which all business areas contribute.

Netting the results for the two periods in question of the reliefs and contributions respectively paid, the growth recorded by Group’s Adjusted EBITDA would exceed € 19 million (+14.2%). Two thirds of this result is derived from the operating performance of the original consolidation scope (thanks, in particular, to the Education and Retail Books areas) and the remaining part is mainly attributable to the consolidation of the new companies acquired in the Trade Books area.

Overall, profitability stood at 16.8%, up by almost 2 percentage points from around 15% in the 2022 financial year and in the upper part of the target range previously communicated to the market.

The Group EBITDA for the 2023 financial year was € 148.9 million, compared to € 130.7 million in 2022, highlighting an € 18.2 million improvement (+13.9%) attributable to the favourable trend in some operating components and the recognition in the 2023 financial year, in the Media area, of the net capital gain resulting from the sale of the Grazia and Icon magazines (and the related international network).

The 2023 EBIT was positive in the amount of € 84.2 million, showing an improvement of € 11.5 million compared to 2022 (+15.8%). Neutralising the extraordinary items and the impacts of the PPA and impairment processes, the Adjusted EBIT would stand at € 102 million, up by approximately € 12 million (+13.1%) compared to the previous year.

Financial charges recorded an overall increase of over € 2 million, with approximately € 0.5 million resulting from the higher cost of debt – despite a reduction in average exposure – and the remaining € 1.6 million resulting from higher costs arising from the accounting effects of IFRS 16 which, in the 2022 financial year, had allowed non-recurring income (approximately € 1.4 million) linked to the early closure of the old rental contract for the Segrate headquarters to be recognised.

Consolidated result before tax were positive at € 80.5 million, up by about € 14 million (+20.4%) from € 66.9 million in 2022. Also contributing to this performance was an improvement of over € 4 million in the earnings of associates, resulting in particular from: the updated fair value measurement of the investments in A.L.I. and Adgage for a total of approximately € 2 million; the recognition of a capital gain – net of the negative result for the first four months – of € 0.4 million relating to the sale in April 2023 of the residual investment in SEE, the publishing company of Il Giornale, which reported a loss of approximately € 1.8 million in the previous year; the absence of the write-down of the equity investment in Attica, which had a € 1.7 million impact on the 2022 financial year.

The Mondadori Group’s net profit for the year to 31 December 2023, after minority interests, amounted to € 62.4 million, a significant improvement of about 20%, in line with expectations and despite the impairment, equivalent to € 10.3 million, compared to € 52.1 million in 2022. The net profit for 2023 triples the value of the 2019 financial year.

Tax costs in the period totalled € 17.9 million versus € 15.3 million in 2022 due to the higher pre-tax result.

Adjusted net profit for the 2023 financial year, neutralising all non-recurring items previously mentioned, would amount to about € 71 million, up by around 11% on the previous year (€ 63.9 million).

The Net Financial Position excluding IFRS 16 as of 31 December 2023 was € -86.1 million (net debt), an improvement of € 20 million compared to € -106 million in 2022, due to significant cash generation by the business and despite the dividend distribution cash-out. In the financial year 2023, the Group distributed dividends totalling approximately € 29 million, equivalent to a pay-out of 55% of the 2022 net profit.

The IFRS 16 Net Financial Position as of 31 December 2023 amounted to € -158.6 million (net debt), from € -177.4 million in 2022, due to an IFRS 16 debt component of € -72.5 million. The Adjusted NFP/EBITDA ratio is 1.0x, exactly in line with the target communicated to the market and down from 1.3x at the end of 2022.

At € 68.7 million, cash flow from ordinary activities (after cash-outs due to financial expenses and taxes) for the financial year 2023 is 15.1% higher than the figure for 2022 and is at the high end of the guidance (EUR 65-70 million).

As of 31 December 2023, the extraordinary cash flow was negative by € 15.3 million, mainly due to net cash-outs related to merger & acquisition activities of around € 5 million and restructuring costs of around € 5 million.

Free Cash Flow as of 31 December 2023 was positive at € 53.5 million and confirms the Group’s ability to finance its inorganic growth policy and the distribution of significant dividends to shareholders.

As of 31 December 2023, the Mondadori Group employed 1,945 people, an increase of 2.4% compared to the 1,900 employed at 31 December 2022 (+45 people).

PERFORMANCE OF BUSINESS AREAS

Trade BOOKS AREA

Following the consolidation phase in 2022, in 2023 the book market showed further growth in value of 3.4% and a substantial stability in volume. In the fourth quarter, the value increased by 5.7% thanks to the excellent earnings recorded during the Christmas season.

In this context, the Mondadori Group’s publishing houses grew by 3.7% across 2023, outperforming the market of reference – particularly thanks to the excellent earnings achieved in the first and fourth quarters from the publication of titles such as Spare – Il minore (“Spare”). by Prince Harry, Le armi della luce (“The Weapons of Light”) by Ken Follett, published by Mondadori, and La vita intima by Nicolò Ammaniti, published by Einaudi -, and consolidate their leadership nationally with a market share of 27.6% at the end of 2023.

Revenues for 2023 amounted to € 374.3 million, having grown by around 10.4% compared to the previous year, also due to the consolidation of the recently acquired companies (A.L.I. and Star Comics).

Adjusted EBITDA was € 59.2 million: net of the reliefs relating to Electa’s museum activities, amounting to € 6.4 million, from which the 2022 financial year had benefited, the area recorded an increase in its margin of around 22% (+ € 10.5 million), largely attributable to the contribution of the new companies consolidated from 2023, despite the negative impact of the higher cost of paper compared to the previous period. The profitability achieved by the Trade Books area was 15.8% in 2023, showing improvement on 2022, excluding the contribution of the reliefs (14.4%).

Education BOOKS AREA

The Schools market (primary and secondary schools) in Italy in 2023 is estimated to have grown by around 3.5% on the previous year to approximately € 618 million.

In the 2023 financial year, the Mondadori Group’s publishing houses confirmed their leadership at national level, with a 32% share of the set texts market, substantially stable compared to 2022, due to growth in the secondary school segment (middle and high schools) and a decline in primary schools.

Revenues in the area were € 237.5 million (€ 237.3 million in 2022), stable compared to the previous year. In particular, lower and upper secondary school revenues, which account for over 80% of the area’s revenues, grew by around 5%, versus a fall in primary school revenues (-6.5% compared to 2022). In addition to the above, there was a decline of approximately 6% in the distribution and sale of third-party products by Rizzoli Education (dedicated to the teaching of foreign languages) and a contraction in sales of non-set text products.

The area’s Adjusted EBITDA in 2023 was € 67.7 million, a distinct improvement on the € 63.5 million recorded in 2022 (+6.7%), thanks to the contribution of all publishing houses and the full completion of the synergies resulting from the integration of D Scuola.

The 28.5% profitability in 2023 was higher than that recorded in 2022 (26.7%) thanks to the lower incidence of industrial costs – as a result of the lower cost of paper purchases, down by around € 4 million – and promotional costs.

RETAIL AREA

In a context of growth in the Italian market, there was an improvement in the physical channel (+4.3%) and a recovery in the online channel, which saw a gradual recovery in the fourth quarter, closing the year with an increase of 2%.

In 2023, Mondadori Retail grew by 5.6%, outperforming the market of reference for the third consecutive year. Thanks to this result, which was due to the excellent performance of physical shops, Mondadori Retail’s market share grew to 12.8% (+0.3% compared with 31 December 2022) of the total market and was close to 20% of the physical market. The ongoing development and renovation of existing stores and the focus on the core business of books enabled the Mondadori bookshop network to consolidate its role in the market.

The transformation process launched over the past years has made for an improvement in operating and management performance, as shown in the income statement for 2023, which highlights strong growth in revenue and margins of the Retail area.

Revenues amounted to € 199.5 million, up 5.4% (+ € 10.3 million) on the previous year, the highest value recorded since the pre-pandemic year 2019.

An analysis of sales by channel shows further growth in revenues from direct bookshops (+10.3% compared with the previous year), franchised bookshops (+4.5% compared with 2022) and the online channel (+3.1% compared with the previous year).

Books, the Mondadori Group’s core business, provided the greatest revenues (over 80% of the total), having grown overall by 6.1% compared with 2022, driven by the excellent performance of physical stores; the non-book turnover recorded a positive trend (+14.4% compared with 2022), thanks to growth in the impulse sector (stationery and gifts).

The area shows a positive Adjusted EBITDA of € 14 million, up by more than 50% compared to 2022 (+ € 4.9 million), confirming a gradual improvement in performance (in 2019, Adjusted EBITDA was € 5 million).

It is important to note that the area’s 2023 income statement returned to profit after more than a decade, closing with a positive net profit of € 1.5 million, an improvement of € 3 million compared to the loss of € -1.4 million in 2022.

MEDIA AREA

In 2023, the Mondadori Group confirmed its position as Italy’s leading multimedia publisher: in print, with 13 magazines and 9 million readers and a market share (in terms of circulation) of 20.3%, slightly up – on a like-for-like portfolio of titles – compared with December 2022 (19.8%); online, with 12 brands and an average of around 28 million unique users/month; in social media, with more than 110 profiles and a fanbase of around 103 million as of 31 December 2023.

In the financial year 2023, revenues in the Media area amounted to € 141 million, down by 20.6% compared to the previous year. On a like-for-like basis, this contraction was reduced to 2.7% by the positive performance achieved in the fourth quarter of the year (+7% approximately) and highlights different trends in the two components: digital and print.

Digital activities, which account for around 40% of total turnover for the area, recorded an increase in advertising revenues of around 23%, mainly due to the positive performance of the MarTech segment; print activities fell by 14.8%, mainly due to the decline in add-on sales for the entire year caused by the decision to reduce releases in low-margin products such as music and home video.

Adjusted EBITDA amounted to € 16.4 million, about +16% year-on-year, attributable to both business segments. The EBITDA margin recorded an increase of almost 4 percentage points, from 7.9% to 11.7%. Specifically: in the print area, the increase was due to the rationalisation of the portfolio of activities with more stable profitability, the constant attention being paid to the development and rationalisation of costs, as well as the recognition of a tax credit to partially offset the costs incurred by the publisher for magazine distribution activities; in the digital area, adjusted EBITDA increased by approximately € 1 million compared to the previous year, thanks to higher revenues and the contribution of new initiatives, despite the earnings from the digital activities of the magazines sold being removed from the consolidation scope.

OUTLOOK FOR THE YEAR

The Group’s current configuration, economic performance and cash generation capacity, also demonstrated in 2023, point to a further improvement in results for 2024, even on a like-for-like basis.

From a strategic point of view, the Group intends to continue the process of strengthening its core business in the Trade Books area, both in publishing, by emphasising the identity and specialisation of the various publishing houses, and by continuing the process of vertical integration in the various stages of the book chain, particularly in the comics segment, by taking full advantage of the distribution synergies arising from the acquisition of Star Shop.

In the Education Books area, it will continue to focus on the most profitable segments of the textbook market and consolidating its domestic leadership, strengthening and renewing its editorial offer and taking full advantage of the digital convergence process (through the development of a new single digital platform for all three publishing houses).

In the Retail area, the Mondadori Group will continue with the selective development of its network of shops, both direct – by opening around ten new outlets – and franchised, as well as with improving the sales surface area, maximising the efficiency of the network and enriching its range of publications, which is essential both to increase the profitability of the area and to improve its effectiveness in conveying the Group’s editorial offer to the market.

In the Media area, the Mondadori Group will at the same time continue to strengthen its competitive positioning by developing its skills and offer in the digital area, in particular through initiatives in the content creator, Food and MarTech segments.

Income Statement

The following are the Group’s economic and financial targets for the financial year 2024, based on a consolidation scope that includes only completed extraordinary transactions (Star Shop):

  • low single-digit revenue growth;
  • mid single-digit growth in the Adjusted EBITDA, with margins expected to remain stable at around 17%, thanks to targeted pricing policies and the further reduction of paper and printing costs.

At the end of the next three-year period, i.e. in the financial year 2026, with the consolidation scope described above and therefore with the only organic growth, the Group estimates that it will be able to achieve consolidated revenues in the region of € 1 billion and a proportional growth in margins that will enable it to confirm profitability approximately at 17%.

Cash Flow and Net Financial Position

In the three-year period 2024-2026, the Group is expected to confirm the significant cash generation capacity shown in 2023 and therefore cash flow from ordinary operations of no less than € 70 million.

DIVIDEND POLICY

The Group’s significant cash generation over the next three years will be allocated to maximising the company’s value creation, through an active investment policy in its core and adjacent businesses aimed at seizing opportunities to strengthen its leadership, expand geographically and/or expand its presence within the book value chain. This development strategy will be accompanied by an increasing shareholder remuneration policy, through a more consistent Dividend Policy that provides for, each year of the three-year-period, the distribution of 50% of the Ordinary Cash Flow per share (from the previous 40%) or the Dividend per Share of the previous year increased by 10%, whichever is the greater.

Each year, the Board of Directors, when proposing the distribution to the Shareholders’ Meeting, will take account of the general macroeconomic scenario, as well as the expected cash flows and the Group’s equity and financial structure.

PERFORMANCE OF ARNOLDO MONDADORI EDITORE S.P.A.

The Parent Company’s income statement at 31 December 2023 shows the same profit as in the consolidated financial statements of € 62.4 million (€ 52.1 million in 2022), due to the fact that the Company has chosen to use the equity method to measure its investments in the separate financial statements.

Revenues, which consist of the costs of central structures charged back to the subsidiaries, amounting to € 43.1 million, increased by about 3% compared to the previous year, due to higher charges (related to IT services and occupied space) resulting from the expansion of the Group’s consolidation scope and the respective offices.

Adjusted EBITDA in 2023 was € -5.6 million, essentially stable compared to 2022 (€ -5.7 million in 2022).

Reported EBITDA for 2023 was € -7.5 million, down from 2022 (€ -6.7 million), mainly due to higher allocations related to restructuring costs.

DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION PROPOSAL OF € 0.12 PER ORDINARY SHARE

Based on the results of the 2023 financial year, the Board of Directors will submit a proposal to the next Shareholders’ Meeting, convened on 24 April 2024, for the distribution of a dividend per share of € 0.12, gross of withholding taxes, for each ordinary share (net of treasury shares) outstanding at the record date.
The total dividend amounted to approximately € 31 million, up by 9% compared to the previous year: this amount corresponds to a pay-out of 50% of the net profit for 2023 and a dividend yield of almost 6% (as of 31 December 2023). The amount will be paid by drawing on the distributable portion of the extraordinary reserve (included in the equity item “Other reserves profit/loss carried forward”).
In compliance with the provisions of the “Regulations for markets organised and managed by Borsa Italiana S.p.A.” and as already announced, the dividend will be paid in two equal tranches:

  • unit amount of € 0.06 for each ordinary share (net of treasury shares) outstanding at the record date stated below, from 22 May 2024 (payment date), with ex-dividend date no. 23 on 20 May 2024 (ex date) and with the date of entitlement to payment of the dividend, pursuant to Article 83-terdecies of the TUF (record date), on 21 May 2024;
  • unit amount of € 0.06 for each ordinary share (net of treasury shares) outstanding on the record date stated below, from 20 November 2024 (payment date), with ex-dividend date no. 24 on 18 November 2024 (ex date) and with the date of entitlement to payment of the dividend, pursuant to Article 83-terdecies of the TUF (record date), on 19 November 2024.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AFTER YEAR-END 2023

On 1 February 2024, through its subsidiary Mondadori Libri S.p.A., the Mondadori Group finalised the acquisition of 51% of the share capital of Star Shop Distribuzione S.r.l., which operates in the comic book and gadget segment and is particularly active in the distribution of third-party publishers in the comic book shop channel and in the management of sales outlets – direct and affiliated – in the same segment. As communicated to the market on 29 June 2023, following authorisation by the Italian Antitrust Authority pursuant to Law 287/1990 – as previously announced on 3 November 2023 -, the transaction is effective from 1 February 2024, as of which Mondadori will also proceed with the line-by-line consolidation of the company.

PROPOSED RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE AND DISPOSE OF TREASURY SHARES

Following expiry of the previous authorization resolved upon by the Shareholders’ Meeting on 27 April 2023, with the approval of the financial statements at 31 December 2023, the Board of Directors will propose to the next Shareholders’ Meeting, called for 24 April 2024, 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 main elements of the Board of Directors’ proposal, which are consistent with those of the expired authorization:

  • 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:

  • use the Treasury Shares purchased or already in the Company portfolio as compensation for the acquisition of interests within the framework of the Company’s investments;
  • use the treasury shares purchased or already held in portfolio 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;
  • 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;
  • rely on investment or divestment opportunities, if considered strategic by the Board of Directors, also in relation to available liquidity;
  • dispose of treasury shares to service share-based incentive plans set up pursuant to Article 114-bis of the TUF, and plans for the free allocation of shares to employees or members of the governing bodies of the Company or to Shareholders.
  • Duration

The authorization to purchase treasury shares runs from the date of any resolution approving the proposal by the Shareholders’ Meeting, until the Shareholders’ Meeting called to approve the financial statements at 31 December 2024 and, in any case, for a period no more than 18 months after that date. The authorization to dispose of treasury shares is requested for an unlimited period, given the absence of time limits pursuant to current regulations and the opportunity to allow the Board of Directors to make use of the maximum flexibility, also in terms of time, to carry out any disposal of shares.

  • Maximum number of purchasable treasury shares

The authorisation would allow the purchase, on one or more occasions and in one or more tranches, of a maximum number of ordinary shares with a nominal unitary value of € 0.26, which – considering the treasury shares already held by the Company and the shares that may possibly be acquired by subsidiaries – shall not exceed a total of 10% of the share capital.
Pursuant to article 2357(1) of the Italian Civil Code, the purchase transactions will be carried out within the limits of the distributable profits and available reserves resulting from the last regularly approved financial statements at the time of each potential purchase transaction. The authorisation would include the right to subsequently dispose of the treasury shares acquired, in whole or in part, on one or more occasions and even before having exhausted the maximum number of purchasable shares.

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

Purchases would be made in accordance with articles 132 of the TUF, 144-bis(1)(b) and d-ter) of the Issuers’ Regulation, and thus:
(i) on regulated markets or multilateral trading systems, according to the operating criteria established in the organisation and management regulations of the same markets, which do not allow the direct matching of purchase trading proposals with predetermined sales trading proposals, as well as in compliance with any other legislation in force, including European ones.
(ii) by the methods established by the market practices permitted by Consob, pursuant to the combined provisions of article 180(1)(c) of the TUF and article 13 of Regulation (EU) no. 596 of 16 April 2014 (“Permitted Market Practices”).
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.
The disposal of treasury shares may be made, on one or more occasions and even before having terminated the maximum number of purchasable treasury shares, either by selling them on regulated markets or according to other trading methods in compliance with the law, including EU law, in force and with the Admitted Market Practices, if applicable. The authorisation proposal provides that purchases are made at a unit price, compliant with any regulatory requirements, including European ones, or permitted market practices in force at the time, where applicable, without prejudice to the fact that the minimum and maximum purchase price will be set at a unit price no lower than the official stock market price of the Mondadori stock on the day prior to the day on which the purchase transaction is carried out, decreased by 20%, and no higher than the official stock market price on the day before the day on which the purchase transaction will be carried out, increased by 10%. In any event – except for any different price and volume determinations resulting from the application of the conditions set forth in the Admitted Market Practices – such price shall be identified in accordance with the trading conditions set forth in Delegated Regulation (EU) no. 1052 of 8 March 2016 and, specifically:

  • no shares may 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; and
  • in terms of volumes, daily purchase amounts will not exceed 25% of the daily average volume of Mondadori shares traded as recorded in the 20 trading days before the dates of purchase or in the month prior to the month of the disclosure required by Art. 2, paragraph 1, of Regulation (EU) no. 1052/2016.
  • In terms of consideration, sales transactions or other acts of disposition of treasury shares shall be carried out:
  • if executed in cash, at a price no lower than 10% of the reference price recorded on the MTA – Euronext Milan – organized and managed by Borsa Italiana S.p.A. in the trading session prior to each single transaction;
  • if executed as part of any extraordinary transactions in accordance with financial terms to be determined by the Board of Directors on the basis of the nature and characteristics of the transaction, also taking account of the market performance of Mondadori shares;
  • if executed to service the Performance Share Plans in compliance with the terms and conditions set out in the resolutions of the Shareholders’ Meeting that establish the Plans and the related regulations.

To date, Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. holds a total of no. 1,277,802 treasury shares, equal to 0.488% 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 2021-2023 PERFORMANCE SHARE PLAN: INFORMATION PURSUANT TO ART. 84-BIS, PARAGRAPH 5 CONSOB REGULATION NO. 11971/1999

The Board of Directors, based on the final assessment of the achievement of the Performance Targets underlying the Plan, and having heard the Remuneration and Appointments Committee, resolved to allocate a total of no. 729,331 Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. shares to a total of 13 beneficiaries, implementing the provisions of the “2021-2023 Performance Share Plan” adopted by the Shareholders’ Meeting on 27 April 2021 (the “2021-2023 Plan”).

Mention should be made that the 2021-2023 Plan takes the form of a share granting plan and grants its beneficiaries the right to receive, free of charge, shares in the Company held as treasury shares provided that, at the end of a reference period of three financial years, the performance targets set in the same Plan have been achieved.

The beneficiaries of the 2021-2023 Plan are the Chief Executive Officer, the CFO and 11 managers identified by name by the Chief Executive Officer, as delegated by the Board of Directors.

The characteristics of the Plan are explained in detail in the Directors’ Report to the Shareholders’ Meeting of 27 April 2021 and in the information document drawn up pursuant to article 84-bis of CONSOB Regulation no. 11971/1999 available at www.gruppomondadori.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 allocation of shares in the context of the 2021-2023 Performance Plan.

PROPOSED ADOPTION OF A PERFORMANCE SHARE PLAN COVERING THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD 2024-2026

The Board resolved, on a proposal from the Remuneration and Appointments Committee, and continuing to apply the performance share instrument for the medium-long term remuneration of executive directors and strategic executives, as per Legislative Decree 58 of 24 February 1998, art. 114-bis, to submit for approval by the Shareholders’ Meeting, convened for 24 April 2024, the establishment of a Performance Share Plan for the three-year period 2024-2026, reserved for the Chief Executive Officer, 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 assignment to the beneficiaries of rights to the free allocation of company shares, subject to the achievement of specific performance targets set and measured at the end of the three-year performance period.
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, as well as indicators of a non-operating/financial nature linked to ESG issues.
For details on the proposed adoption of the 2024-2026 Performance Share Plan, the beneficiaries and the characteristics of said Plan, reference should be made to the Information Document approved by the Board of Directors, 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.

PROPOSAL TO THE SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETING TO ADOPT A SHORT-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN (MBO) 2024

On a proposal from the Remuneration and Appointments Committee, the Board resolved to submit the adoption of a Short Term Incentive Plan (MBO) for the year 2024 to the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting for approval, pursuant to Article 114-bis of Legislative Decree no. 58 of 24 February 1998. The Plan, which is reserved for the same beneficiaries as the 2024-2026 Performance Share Plan, governs the determination, subject to the achievement of specific individual and Group performance objectives, of the annual Variable Remuneration (MBO) for the year 2024. In particular, the Plan envisages a voluntary mechanism for the conversion into Mondadori shares of a percentage component equal to 15% or 30% of the Variable Remuneration itself, as well as the disbursement of an additional “bonus” component in shares, equal to the number of shares resulting from the conversion.

Any allocation of the total component in shares would take place at the end of a 24-month deferral period with respect to the MBO vesting date.

For details on the proposed adoption of the 2024 Short-term Incentive Plan (MBO), the beneficiaries and the characteristics of said Plan, reference should be made to the Information Document approved by the Board of Directors, 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.

PROPOSAL TO RENEW THE POWERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PURSUANT TO ARTICLES 2443 AND 2420-TER OF THE ITALIAN CIVIL CODE

The Board of Directors will propose the Shareholders’ Meeting, called on 24 April 2024, also in extraordinary session, to adopt the resolutions referred to in articles 2443 and 2420 ter of the Italian Civil Code, relating to the renewal of the Board’s powers to increase the share capital and issue convertible bonds.
Specifically, the Board will propose to the Shareholders’ Meeting:

– the renewal of the proxies already granted to the Board of Directors by the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of 17 April 2019 and terminating due to expiry of the related five-year term, which, pursuant to Articles 2443 and 2420-ter of the Italian Civil Code, grant the Board of Directors the power to increase the share capital, reserved as an option to those entitled thereto, by a maximum nominal amount of € 75,000,000 and to issue convertible bonds for a maximum nominal amount of € 250,000,000.

– the renewal of the proxy already granted to the Board of Directors by the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of 17 April 2019 and also terminating, granting the Board of Directors, for the same period of five years, the power to increase the share capital within the limit of 10% of the pre-existing share capital and in any case within the limit of a nominal amount of € 20,000,000, with the exclusion of option rights pursuant to Articles 2443 and 2441(4) of the Italian Civil Code.

The renewals are proposed under the same conditions of the terminating proxies unused by the Board and for a further period of five years corresponding to the maximum term allowed by the law.

The proposals for the renewal of proxies are motivated by the advisability of maintaining the general power of the Board of Directors to implement any capital transactions through faster and more streamlined procedures than the resolutions adopted by the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting.

CONSOLIDATED NON-FINANCIAL STATEMENT PURSUANT TO LEGISLATIVE DECREE 254/2016

Under Legislative Decree 254/2016, the Board of Directors’ 2023 Report on Operations of the Mondadori Group is also composed of the Consolidated Non-Financial Statement (NFS), 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 corruption and bribery, which are relevant given the activities and characteristics of the Company.

The NFS was prepared in accordance with GRI Standards: In accordance option, and includes benchmark KPIs related to GRI G4 “Media Sector Disclosure”.
With regard to 2023, the Mondadori Group has updated its materiality analysis, consistent with the principles set out by the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards (GRI Standards) and the reporting scopes laid down by Legislative Decree 254/2016.
In 2023, stakeholder engagement was pursued through the involvement of employees, teachers, bookshop customers, suppliers and financial analysts and investors, with more than 4,500 responses to the engagement questionnaire.

The document also includes the references required by Regulation (EU) 2020/852 related to the introduction of the European Taxonomy.

SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

Actions and initiatives in the ESG area are highlighted as part of the reporting activity. In 2023, constant monitoring of the goals set in the Sustainability Plan was carried out, which made it possible to provide a timely image of the degree to which they were achieved and to identify new future actions for the 2024-2026 Plan.
Below are the objectives achieved and reported for 2023.

Social
  1. Preparation of the documentation for the Gender Equality Certification (UNI PDR 125/2022), with Audit scheduled for 2024.
  2. Development and implementation of a training plan specifically for D&I with half-yearly seminars for all Mondadori Group people.
  3. Launch of the “Care” project for all Group employees and families, with particular focus on the “Parenthood” project to promote more inclusive models of access to maternity/paternity leave, eliminate existing biases and facilitate the return to work, enhancing acquired skills.
  4. Review of internal procedures governing selection with the introduction of blind CVs.
  5. Review of the internal procedures governing recruitment and career development, with particular attention to D&I matters.
  6. Extension of training in digitalisation/new forms of work to all Group employees.
  7. Implementation of a training plan accessible to all Group personnel regarding sustainability issues.
  8. Establishment of a new Group Charter of Values.
  9. Extension to 100% of the school offer of contents/insights relating to Sustainability, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, diversity, equity and inclusion and civic education.
  10. Expansion of ESG training activities for the Group’s school publications departments and for teachers.
  11. A growing number of initiatives/services to promote reading.
Governance
  1. Setting and measurement of quantitative and measurable ESG-related LTI objectives for top management (Impact Inclusion Index in the 2023-2025 Performance Share Plan).
  2. Strengthening of the set of procedures and coverage of the areas of Privacy, Information Management and Cyber Security.
  3. Strengthening of the programmes aiming to protect intellectual property/copyright.
  4. Strengthening of stakeholder engagement activities through the gradual expansion of engagement initiatives.
Environment
  1. Extension of the electricity supply from renewable sources to sites (Segrate) and stores (Mondadori Duomo and Turin).
  2. Energy efficiency actions through improved management of electrical and mechanical systems at the Segrate site.
  3. Energy efficiency actions as part of direct book store renovation/opening initiatives and obtaining LEED certification (gold) for Mondadori Duomo.
  4. Finalisation of the “Book environmental footprint” project study: Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) study for measuring environmental impacts and establishing data-based objectives for reducing atmospheric emissions and achieving continuous improvement along the entire value chain.
  5. Maintenance of the commitment to purchase ≈100% of paper from certified PEFC/FSC sources for Mondadori Group products with extension to newly acquired companies.
  6. Extension to 100% of the School proposition of insights and fact sheets dedicated to environmental culture of the entire school offer and promotion of such content in the Trade proposition.

No legal action was initiated or concluded against the Group or its employees for cases of corruption during the year, nor were any reports made within the whistleblowing system.

The results for the year ended 31 December 2023, approved on today’s date by the Board of Directors, will be presented by the Mondadori Group Management to the financial community at a presentation scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today in person and via webcast. The corresponding documentation will be available on 1Info (www.1info.it), at www.borsaitaliana.it and at www.gruppomondadori.it (Investors section). Journalists will be able to follow the proceedings of the presentation via webcast, by dialling +39 02 802 09 27 and via web https://www.c-meeting.com/web3/join/MKRA9NDNUBPJNA.

The Financial Reporting Manager – Alessandro Franzosi – 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):

  1. Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
  2. Consolidated Income Statement
  3. Consolidated income statement – fourth quarter
  4. Group cash flow
  5. Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. Statements of financial position
  6. Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. income statement
  7. Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. statement of cash flows
  8. Glossary of terms and alternative performance measures used
  9. Information pursuant to Schedule 7 of Annex 3a to CONSOB Regulation no. 11971/1999.

A new Mondadori Bookstore in Umbria in the Quasar Village shopping centre in Corciano

Mondadori Store, the largest network of bookstores in Italy, today inaugurates a new store in Quasar Village, the modern and innovative shopping centre in Corciano (PG) with over 70 shops, offering a space dedicated to lovers of reading and culture.

“The directly managed Mondadori Bookstore in the Quasar Village shopping centre affirms our commitment to spreading culture and promoting entertainment and reading, as part of a broader strategy of continually renewing, enhancing and developing our network. We want to make our bookstores, that are located throughout Italy, more and more appealing, strengthening their role as a cultural organisation for local communities”, said Carmine Perna, Mondadori Retail managing director.

Located in a strategic position inside Quasar Village, the bookstore – measuring 200 square metres – offers new spaces with its layout and furnishings that enhance and emphasise the vast Mondadori Store offer: a catalogue of more than 10,000 titles – from best sellers to the great classics, including fiction, non-fiction and miscellaneous – eReaders, stationery products, gift boxes and gift cards. A team of five experienced professionals, including director Gianfranco Romeo, will guide the public in their choices according to their literary tastes.

In the new Mondadori Bookstore in Corciano, there is an area specially designed for young readers, “We are Junior”. This is a section where even the youngest can find a rich selection of books, illustrated fairy tales and educational games. The bookstore also houses a wide selection of comics and manga, with superheroes and graphic novels, which the Just Comics department is dedicated to.

The store in the Quasar Village Shopping Centre also serves readers online: customers can contact the store and get updates on all the events on its Facebook page and use the digital services on Mondadoristore.it so they can check if a book from the catalogue of more than 1 million titles is available, then order it and pick it up in the store.

The new Mondadori Bookstore continues the renewal and development plan of Mondadori Store, the largest bookstore network in Italy, with more than 500 stores in cities and smaller centres. A cultural organisation active throughout the country, online with the e-commerce site Mondadoristore.it and the bookclub formula, which, in addition to books – the core of the offer –, provides entertainment, events and multichannel services, to reach more than 20 million customers every year.

 

MONDADORI BOOKSTORE
Quasar Village Shopping Centre
Via Aldo Capitini, 8, 06073, Corciano (PG)
Opening hours: Mon–Sun 9:00 am to 9 pm
Email: libreria.quasarvillage@mondadori.it
Tel: 075.3749200
https://www.mondadoristore.it/negozi
IG – FB @mondadoriquasarvillage

Mondadori Group: agreement signed for the sale of the investment in Mediamond S.p.a. to Publitalia ‘80 S.p.a.

Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. has announced today’s signing of the contract of sale of the entire stake in Mediamond S.p.A. – advertising sales company – equal to 50% of the share capital and held by its subsidiary Direct Channel S.p.A., to Publitalia ‘80 S.p.A. The transaction will take effect from 1 January 2024 and will allow Publitalia ‘80 S.p.A., which already holds 50% of Mediamond S.p.A., to increase its stake to 100%.

The transaction price was defined on the basis of the pro-rata value of equity as at 31/12/2023, expected to amount to € 1.4 million and corresponding to the book value of the interest, with consequent neutral accounting effects on the Mondadori Group’s consolidated result.

The sale is consistent with the strategy already announced by the Mondadori Group to focus on the sector of books and a gradual easing off of its presence in business areas that are no longer central and, in particular, sectors heavily associated with advertising revenue.

In the context of the transaction – pursuant to the regulation approved with Consob Resolution no. 17221 of 12/03/2010, as amended – Publitalia ‘80 S.p.A. qualifies as a related party of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. since the former is a company subject to joint control with Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A.

Nevertheless, the transaction is of lesser importance since it does not exceed the thresholds identified pursuant to article 4, paragraph 1, letter a) of the aforementioned Consob Regulation.

The sale was consequently approved by the Board of Directors of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. following a motivated – non-binding – favourable opinion on the company’s interest in executing the transaction and on the expediency and substantial fairness of the related conditions issued by the Related Party Committee, formed exclusively of independent directors.

Focus Junior presents Travel Kids, the new Trenitalia Intercity podcast channel, produced and distributed by Loquis

100 podcasts for young travellers to discover the wonders of Italy

Travel Kids – Italy in Intercity with Focus Junior is the new podcast channel designed for children (6–12 years old) and parents travelling. Created in collaboration with Trenitalia – the parent company of the FS Group’s Passenger Hub – its 100+ podcasts will accompany families on an incredible step-by-step story across Italy and the Islands: odd stories, amusing anecdotes about places, characters, objects, science, nature, animals and much more.

Podcasts are a winning tool to disseminate culture and entertainment: people listen to them to learn, study and laugh. In Italy, every month 12 million people listen to podcasts (Ipsos research), with numbers steadily increasing year after year, especially in the younger age groups. Focus Junior, the leading brand in the kids’ sector, and Loquis, the first platform for listening to and narrating the world via geolocalised podcasts, will take the young passengers of Intercity, the Trenitalia Business management company headed by Luigi Corradi, and their families on a journey to discover the many wonders of Italy: from the incredible story of Ciro, the baby dinosaur preserved at the Museum of Natural Sciences in Milan, to the reason why the Tower of Pisa leans, along with stories of pirates and witches in Liguria, to the mystery of the Riace Bronzes in Calabria.

“Italy is the real Wonderland, where every place has curious stories just waiting to be told”, said Sarah Pozzoli, Focus Junior Director. “Thanks to this initiative, created in collaboration with Loquis and Trenitalia, Focus Junior has been able to narrate the history and beauty of Italy through podcasts designed specifically for children and young people, with a light but authoritative tone and a rigorous eye for content. Travel Kids is in line with our mission “to entertain while discovering the world”, in this case our peninsula, a true treasure rich in history, culture and biodiversity”.

Focus Junior and Loquis will stimulate the imagination and curiosity of young people with relaxing and educational content, using simple and entertaining language suitable for the whole family. The narrators for this project will be Andrea Lucchetta, former Italian national volleyball team player, and Creator Alessio Bourcet aka Pika Palindromo.

Loquis is a very special kind of navigator: instead of providing directions, it tells us about the places we visit”, said Bruno Pellegrini, CEO of Loquis. “We created it because we are convinced that knowledge of the world and its locations is as necessary as ever in this time when people are withdrawing into virtual worlds. This is why we are very happy to create a project dedicated to the youngsters, creating educational entertainment, which is one of the social aims of Loquis, where the smartphone is just a tool for listening to stories dedicated to the beauty of our cities, leaving the eyes free to enjoy them”.

For Domenico Scida, Trenitalia’s Intercity Business Director, “This is an initiative designed for families and children who can travel by Intercity and share moments of leisure and culture”. “We are happy”, added Scida, “to start an important collaboration with Loquis and Focus Junior, to accompany and entertain all children travelling on our trains, with an increasingly customised service, recounting curiosities and anecdotes about Italian cities, from North to South, in a fun and dynamic way”.

The first 50 podcasts are already available on the Milan-Lecce, Taranto-Reggio Calabria and Milan-Ventimiglia routes. 100 podcasts are expected by mid-January 2024, on all parts of Trenitalia’s Intercity network.

National Space Day Celebrations 2023

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will be participating in National Space Day celebrations with a series of initiatives to promote research and the Italian space industry. The event is organized by the diplomatic-consular network, Italian Cultural Institutes and Italian Trade Agency Offices.

‘The strong support for Italian National Space Day reflects the priority given to space diplomacy, which is an integral part of our foreign and security policies and a tool for internationalising businesses,’ says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani. He reiterates that ‘by reinforcing the network of Space and Science Attachés working at embassies and consulates, [the Ministry] supports companies in seizing opportunities related to the new space economy to encourage investment.’

’This year’s edition,’ adds the Deputy, ‘is particularly significant in view of the International Astronautical Congress, which will be hosted by Italy in Milan in October 2024. This is why we wanted to launch “The Italian Spaceway” project, an exhibition on Italian space research and industry that will travel the world from now until late 2024.’

‘The Italian Spaceway’ is produced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the IAC 2024 Milan Organising Committee and curated by Focus, the science communication brand of the Mondadori Group. It recounts the contribution of Italian research and Made in Italy products in the development of space technologies, with a focus on sustainability. The exhibition presents an engaging and interactive experience to stimulate reflection on the need to protect space and preserve its sustainability in order to protect planet Earth.

Italy is a leading country in the space sector and among the first in the world in terms of activities and research: €7 billion of public investment in the 2021–2026 period, €2 billion in turnover, 300 companies, 12 districts and 6,000 employees.

The Mondadori Duomo Bookshop in Milan proves to be a cultural centre for book lovers

Since the new opening on 23 March 2023, the bookshop has recorded a total of 1.5 million visitors and an increase in sales compared to the previous store.

Due to its services, which combine innovation and tradition, the bookshop was awarded several prizes, confirming it as a unique place of culture.

In less than nine months since its opening in the heart of Milan, the Mondadori Duomo bookshop has registered 1.5 million visitors and an increase in turnover compared to the megastore previously located in the same location in Piazza Duomo. The enthusiasm that greeted the new opening testifies to its ability to meet the needs of a wide audience, becoming a unique meeting point designed to promote reading, entertainment and culture.

The bookshop has succeeded in combining technological innovation and cultural tradition with a highly distinctive concept and design, while maintaining a focus on books, with over 100,000 volumes available. In addition, with its 1,300 square metres, thematic areas and immersive, experiential and sensory spaces, Mondadori Duomo has experienced continuous growth in the number of visitors, the number of sales and, consequently, profits. 

‘We are very proud of the results achieved by Mondadori Duomo. Through the passion, dedication and professionalism of the teams involved, it represents not only a symbol for the city of Milan but a true cultural centre for an international and intergenerational audience,’ says Carmine Perna, Chief Executive Officer of Mondadori Retail, the Group that manages the largest network of bookshops in Italy. ‘The new Mondadori Duomo has proven to be a place where one can fully experience the world of books, while finding many other products and services related to culture — from music to writing, from gaming to events. Ultimately, it aims to be a place where people can meet and spread ideas, a cultural and experiential hub serving the city and anybody who is interested,’ Mr Perna concludes.

From 23 March 2023, opening day, the bookshop has also become a major destination for younger generations due to the Just Comics area — the format created by Mondadori Retail for comics fans that has intercepted the reading tastes of the youngest readers — and the range of music products, with hot new releases, a vast selection of K-pop and an extensive assortment of vinyl.

Moreover, by integrating some of the best technologies in a traditional point of sale, an all-round customer experience is ensured: simple, immediate and even more engaging.
As examples, we mention:

  • the Cilindro immersivo (Immersive Room): a place in the We Are Junior area that provides children and young people with a space for sharing and interacting with fantasy worlds; it has recorded over 1,000 visits per week. The schedule and selection of video stories is continually updated according to the preferences expressed by young customers, who can experience and be carried away by them during their time in the room;
  • Trovalibro: touch screens located on all floors of the store allow people to explore products, helping them to navigate the bookshop and locate their books easily and effectively;
  • the installation of self checkouts: 1 in 5 people use them, proving that customers have gradually become accustomed to handling payments by themselves, promoting optimal flow management.

Finally, the Mondadori Duomo Arena has become a point of reference for national and international authors and artists due to the rich calendar of events, presentations, meetings and book signings. To date, it has hosted over 200 events with international guests such as the great American director Quentin Tarantino and the American cartoonist Frank Miller, as well as many other personalities in literature, music and entertainment. For 10 days last October, the bookshop also hosted Emma Marrone’s exclusive Flagship Store for the launch of Souvenir, where the Italian singer met all her fans to sign copies of her latest album in an authentic journey through emotions and connections. There was also a merchandising point for fans to purchase products created especially for the occasion.

The innovative capacity and uniqueness of Mondadori Duomo has already received several prizes and awards:

  • Gold level LEED Certification for Interior Design & Construction (ID+C), for paying close attention in the design phase to improving energy use and the quality of interior spaces, lighting and air, water management and the use of materials with a low environmental impact;
  • special mention for the best communication project and engagement strategy by Touchpoint Awards Engagement 2023 thanks to a partnership with Absoluta;
  • the Kikilab Innova Retail Award in the Non-Food category;
  • prize for the Best Customer Experience by Forum Retail Awards 2023 – IKN;
  • finally, the Smart Retail Award – Retail Institute: overall prize in the six Best in Show categories and Best Store Design, for the unique concept developed by Il Prisma and the other partners who worked on the project. Also, for the occasion, runner-up for Best Digital Marketing, in partnership with Blimp.

For the Christmas period, the bookshop in Piazza Duomo will offer customers and visitors a unique and immersive Christmas experience based on new LED technology. Special Christmas-themed animations will be projected on the skylight throughout the month of December, carrying adults and youngsters on a sensory journey of lights, colours and emotions. The idea was developed by the artist Sergio Pappalettera, founder of Studio Prodesign, a graphic design and art studio active in visual research and experimentation known for its collaborations with leading Italian artists.

Mondadori Store is the largest network of bookstores in Italy. It is a cultural organisation active nationwide, with more than 500 stores in both large cities and small towns, an e-commerce websiteMondadoristore.it — and also a book club. Its bookshops are conceived to be places where local communities can meet and learn, and future readers can develop a love of reading. In addition to books — the core product — formats and products specific for the younger generations are also available. These include ‘Just Comics’ (dedicated to comics and illustrated volumes, from manga to graphic novels, from superheroes to major Italian authors) and ‘We are Junior’, an area designed to welcome younger readers, with books and educational games to stimulate the imagination. Mondadori Store also supports readers and users through entertainment, events and multi-channel services. The special attention placed on organising meetings with writers, singers and performing artists, workshops and activities for children (also online) has made it possible to increase the number of places to meet and opportunities to involve and interact with local customers. This has made Mondadori Bookstores an important landmark for culture and entertainment, making a difference with its responsiveness and ever-innovative offers. The Mondadori Group network is active on four sales channels: direct sales, franchising, the Internet and book club.

Mondadori Store works together with THUN for a Christmas just for book lovers

For the entire month of December, Mondadori Store will be offering its customers a THUN mug of their choice as a gift with the purchase of 3 books published by the Mondadori Group.

The limited edition mugs are decorated with the most well-known quotes by Julia Quinn, Gustave Flaubert, Francesco Sole and an ancient Arabic proverb.

Mondadori Store, the largest network of bookstores in Italy, and THUN, a leading manufacturer in the ceramic products sector since 1950, present the third edition of its special Christmas initiative that’s just for book lovers. It’s a collaboration that stems from the common ground the two companies have in their founding values, inspired as they are by tradition, respect and sharing.

Following on from the success of previous years, Mondadori Store customers will once again be able to receive a special, priceless gift this year: four new iconic limited edition porcelain Christmas mugs by THUN to share the magic of this time of the year and promote the value of reading.

Mondadori Store renews its partnership with the leading company in Home Decoration and quality gifts. It’s known worldwide for its Angels, the brand’s icon, depicted on mugs decorated with a Christmas theme and quotes from famous figures from the world of literature that many book lovers will keep with them as they enjoy their reading: from international writer Julia Quinn to famous French writer Gustave Flaubert, from the young Italian author Francesco Sole to a popular and ancient Arabic proverb.

From 1 to 31 December 2023 each mug will be available as a gift to everyone  who buys 3 books published by the Mondadori Group publishing houses – Einaudi, Fabbri Editori, Frassinelli, Electa, Piemme, Rizzoli, Sperling & Kupfer – on Mondadoristore.it and in Mondadori Stores taking part in the initiative throughout Italy.

To support the project, an ad campaign was implemented on the web, social media and national radio.

You can find information and rules at this link.

 

MONDADORI STORE
Mondadori Store is the largest network of bookstores in Italy: a cultural network active across the country through more than 500 stores in large cities and small towns alike, and online through the e-commerce website Mondadoristore.it and the bookclub formula. In addition to books, its core business, it organises entertainment, events and multi-channel services, reaching more than 20 million customers every year.

THUN SPA
Founded in Bolzano in 1950 as a ceramics workshop, THUN is an international market leader in ceramic products and quality gifts. Each piece is created and designed in Italy, with passionate craftsmanship. Over the years, the range has expanded from ceramics to tableware, from home furnishings to accessories. THUN, known to many for its historical ceramic figures, is now loved by many enthusiasts for its evergreen captivating collections and exclusive creations, true limited editions. Alongside the great classics, such as the famous Angel, there are new icons like teddy bears, pandas and koalas. Not only porcelain, which has been successfully featured for years in the coffee-on-the-go line, but also innovation have been both the main characteristics of the iconic brand products, with the inclusion of new natural and eco-sustainable materials such as glass and wood. They’re excellent interpreters of a more contemporary style and a more functional and modern living proposal.

Gender-based violence: 83% of Italian teenage girls condemn the cultural environment

For the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Webboh Lab launched a survey to which 8,000 teenage girls responded.

When asked about the causes of violent behaviour against women, 83% of young Italian women believe that the main reason is the cultural environment in which they live every day.

Webboh Lab put forward an instant survey for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to which 8,000 girls and women between the ages of 12 and 20 responded. 71% of today’s teenage girls, who will be tomorrow’s adults, blame the culture of male dominance and sexist mentality for violence against women.

According to the young girls and women questioned, the cause due to “behaviour” is entirely marginal: violence, for them, does not stem from stressful states or psychological problems, but from a society that has normalised the position and social power of men, role expectations, and attitudes exalting strength for too long, without any self-criticism, looking for the cause in the ‘monster’, in order to take away responsibility.

The research shows that, in the perception of girls, there are at least five profiles of violent men: the self-absolvers (43%), i.e. those who continually justify their violent behaviour, reflecting a culture that perpetuates it; the medievalists (19%), who are linked to entrenched gender roles and family dynamics; the amplifiers of violence (17%), who experience aggression as an echo of bad media reports about the violence in the world around them and the impact on society; the underpressured (12%), represented by those who struggle with personal stress and family pressure; the de-empowered (9%), who blame power and gender role imbalances for their violence.

The identification of complex and different profiles of violent men makes it clear that multiple measures acting on different levels are needed. Solutions proposed by different experts that emerged from the interviews – from affective education to psychological counselling, from awareness-raising activities to the adoption of more restrictive measures when the first signs of aggression appear – must be applied in a targeted manner for each behavioural profile and for the individual subject.

Webboh Lab, created from the meeting between Webboh (3 million followers on social media) with the research institute Sylla, with Chief Science Officer, Professor Furio Camillo, is the first Permanent Observatory on Gen Z. Webboh Lab’s commitment is to gather the voice of the younger generation, to investigate and explore the issues in order to bring them to the table of those who make decisions for them, the adults of tomorrow.

Webboh and The Wom for raising awareness about gender violence with Gen Z

A week before the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the results of a survey launched by Webboh Lab and a range of content by The Wom and Webboh to empower young people.

Through its brands aimed at Gen Z, Webboh and The Wom, Mondadori Media delivered a range of activities and content aimed at raising awareness and understanding the views of young people on the issue of gender-based violence on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November).

Webboh Lab, the first permanent observatory dedicated to Gen Z, conducted an instant survey on the topic of violence against women: the 8,000 answers from girls and women aged between 12 and 20 showed that 83% of young Italian girls, when questioned on the causes of gender-based violent behaviour, believe that the main reason is the cultural environment in which they live every day.

The research shows that girls and young women think there are at least five profiles of violent men: the self-absolvers (43%), i.e. those who continually justify their violent behaviour, reflecting a culture that perpetuates it; the medievalists (19%), who are linked to entrenched gender roles and family dynamics; the amplifiers of violence (17%), who experience aggression as an echo of bad media reports about the violence in the world around them and the impact on society; the underpressured (12%), represented by those who struggle with personal stress and family pressure; the de-empowered (9%), who blame power and gender role imbalances for their violence.

For the event, the two publishing brands aimed at Gen Z have published a schedule full of social media and web content to raise awareness about gender-based violence, offering useful tools both from a practical point of view, such as emergency numbers, and a cultural point of view to help prevent and fight the phenomenon, involving the younger generations.

Specifically, The Wom, the 100% inclusive brand created with the aim of raising awareness and supporting change and which offers articles, videos and in-depth reports on a daily basis both on its website and social profiles, has delivered a dedicated publication, informative content, poems, events and calls to action, and an illustrated Instagram carousel inspired by the true stories of women and their fears that has encouraged more than 2.000 people to tell their stories publicly, garnering over 130,000 likes.

Together with Sorgenia, awareness-raising content was produced, consisting of small tips on what to do if you find yourself with a person you suspect may be a victim of violence. The project, connected to Sorgenia’s #sempre25novembre campaign, aims to keep attention focused on this social emergency every day of the year and not just on the 25th of November.

The Wom also published content in partnership with DONNEXSTRADA with the La violenza non è solo fisica ma… (Violence is not only physical, but…)campaign, with the aim of illustrating different types of violence, both psychological and physical. The initiative was a great success among its followers, also thanks to video interviews with 3 activists from the Association who presented topics such as gender-based violence, how to protect oneself against aggression and psychological violence, and how victims of violence can be helped.

Webboh specifically chose to highlight the anti-violence and anti-stalking number 1522, by posting on its Instagram Stories – every day for a week at 3.22 pm – the message: “Quando ne hai bisogno, chiama: è importante (When you need it, call: it’s important)”. It also spread the Italian State Police Guide that can help people recognise a toxic relationship. The motto chosen by Webboh to raise awareness, “This is not love”, has been echoed by its followers, with more than 150,000 likes and the post being saved more than 5,000 times.

The Wom and Webboh support DONNEXSTRADA, the non-profit association that offers help to victims of violence, promotes change in society, provides legal and psychological support to victims, works for prevention and has created a network of 150 Punti Viola – safe places for women to ask for help – throughout Italy.

We thank the DONNEXSTRADA group.

 

Webboh is the flagship media for Gen Z. Created in April 2019, it has been part of Mondadori Media since February 2023. It currently has a fanbase of 3 million followers across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, 70% of which are under 24. The website receives 2.5 million unique monthly users (source: Audiweb Monthly Average 2023). It is in the top ten most influential Italian media companies on social media, as well as the first targeting Generation Z for engagement and video views (source: Italian Top Media Rankings for First Communication made by Sensemakers). The topicality, authenticity and interest generated by the content is guaranteed by the bottom-up editorial model: the community is involved in every part of the creative process.

The Wom is the new all-digital, social media first brand dedicated to Millennials and Generation Z, who consider uniqueness a strength and a value that enriches themselves and others. The Wom is the flagship for the younger generation on TikTok and Instagram, with a total fanbase of 9 million followers and 9 million unique users on the Internet (Audiweb Total Digital Audience monthly average 2023)

Webboh Lab, created from a meeting between Webboh (3 million followers on social media) with the research institute Sylla, with Chief Science Officer Professor Furio Camillo, is the first Permanent Observatory on Gen Z. Webboh Lab is committed to gathering the voice of the younger generation, to investigate and explore the issues in order to bring them to the table of those who make decisions for them, the adults of tomorrow.

“Wrap a Book, Give the Future”

Oxfam Italia and Mondadori Store are once again collaborating in favour of inclusive education, with the third edition of their Christmas initiative

Guaranteeing inclusive education for all. This is the challenge that Oxfam is launching, for the third year running, together with Mondadori Store through their Christmas project “Wrap a Book, Give the Future”. Until 24 December, you can have your Christmas presents wrapped by the Oxfam volunteers present at Mondadori bookshops taking part in the initiative in major Italian cities.

The project is part of a partnership between the largest bookshop network in Italy, Mondadori Store, and Oxfam, the international confederation of non-profit organisations dedicated to reducing global poverty, helping and supporting families in socially difficult situations, and providing support for children’s education.

For more than 20 years, Oxfam has been active in Italy and around the world with programmes to combat educational disadvantages and spread the principles of global citizenship education aimed at cultural inclusiveness, which is perfectly in line with the objectives of the Mondadori Retail network and the entire Mondadori Group.

The funds raised in previous years have been invaluable in supporting thousands of young people with remedial classes and motivational and educational support in secondary schools.

Once again this Christmas, you can participate in the “Wrap a Book, Give the Future” initiative, aimed at guaranteeing equity and equal access and success at school for the most vulnerable students through emotional, motivational and educational support, thus keeping them from the risk of educational exclusion and dropping out of school. A small donation can be made directly at participating bookshops and also online at the dedicated page: https://www.oxfamitalia.org/mondadori/.

For three years now, Oxfam, with the support of Mondadori Store, has been committed to reducing school dropout rates and educational disadvantages, improving access to sociocultural services for families with severe economic difficulties. This year’s project involves over 150 schools, more than six thousand students and hundreds of teachers. The goal is to build inclusive schools by offering innovative teaching methods and exchange opportunities with other European schools, strengthening support for children at risk of dropping out, offering remedial courses in language and various scholastic skills, and, finally, instituting language mediation activities aimed at foreign students.

Through the collaboration between Oxfam and Mondadori Store, numerous activities will be held in several cities to animate and upgrade environments frequented by young people both in and out of school.

“The European main goal is to reduce the school dropout rate to 9% by 2030 and, despite progress in recent years, Italy is still at 12.7%,” says Roberto Barbieri, General Director of Oxfam Italia. “This is why our work this year is once again aimed at supporting schools that do not leave anyone behind, are attentive to the well-being of pupils and teachers, work in synergy with local resources and bring innovation to teaching. This commitment is aimed primarily at young people in the “peripheries” of our cities who experience greater social hardship and risk being left on the margins. We would like to thank Mondadori Store for their support, which helps us to be even more effective,” Barbieri concludes.

“School exclusion risks becoming even more severe for certain sections of the population, in a global situation of uncertainty and economic crisis such as the one we are currently experiencing. As publishers and booksellers, we have the responsibility to offer support to ensure a better future for children and young people. We are therefore continuing our commitment alongside Oxfam, aware that culture and education are primary channels for promoting inclusiveness, social cohesion and growth for all, in line with the sustainability objectives of the entire Mondadori Group,” says Francesco Riganti, Marketing Director of Mondadori Retail.

The initiative by Mondadori Store and Oxfam is part of the social responsibility path that the Mondadori Group has long undertaken, including through a series of activities to support communities, from promoting reading and education to training, social assistance and health care.

 

WRAP A BOOK GIVE THE FUTURE
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About Oxfam
Oxfam is a global movement of people who fight inequality to overcome poverty in 86 countries around the world. It saves and rebuilds lives in emergencies, promotes sustainable development and works to build a future without inequality where essential rights are guaranteed for everyone, everywhere, and no one is left behind.

About Mondadori Store
 Mondadori Store is the largest network of bookstores in Italy. It is a cultural organisation active nationwide, with more than 500 stores in both large cities and small towns, an e-commerce website — Mondadoristore.it — and also a book club. In addition to books, its core business, it organises entertainment, events and multi-channel services, reaching more than 20 million customers every year.

Oxfam Special Projects Press Office
BertelliPigola Pr & Communication
press@bertellipigola.com

Oxfam Italia Press Office
Mariateresa Alvino – 348.9803541 mariateresa.alvino@oxfam.it
David Mattesini – 349.4417723 david.mattesini@oxfam.it

Mondadori Group Press Office
pressoffice@mondadori.it
Tel. 02.75423159