Outside the Box How a Talent Competition Broadcast on M6 Wants to Change Everyday Lives in France

16 May 2012

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Outside the box How a talent competition broadcast on M6 wants to change everyday lives in France

Luxembourg United States RTL Group presents Britney Spears and Demi Lovato digital innovation to join The X Factor RTL Group environMIND team meets in Brussels France FremantleMedia France founds 123 Productions week 20 the RTL Group intranet

Cover: Illustration by Andres Rodriguez (www.123RF.com)

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FRANCEFRANCE Giving tomorrow’s entrepreneurs a helping hand With L’Inventeur 2012, M6 is setting out to spotlight the work of numerous inventors and enable some of them to take their inventions to the next level. France - 16 May 2012

Many people may be unaware of the fact that go-getters, and some of the participants have a fair amount of the objects we use on a daily absolutely blown me away. There really are basis have their origins in France, including the some surprising people out there.” sewing machine, the chip card, the non-stick frying pan, safety matches and the iron. The fi rst episode of L’Inventeur 2012, which All these inventions revolutionised people’s daily showcased inventions including pocket-sized lives, as well as reshaping the destinies of their toilet paper, a spoon that sweetens whatever inventors. M6’s new show L’Inventeur 2012 it is used to stir and a foldable solar oven, draws on this long-standing tradition of creative was watched by 3.2 million viewers, giving the energy. programme an audience share of 20.7 per cent among viewers aged under 50. That evening, According to Albert Einstein, invention is all M6 proved to be the most popular prime time about thinking outside the box. The show’s channel among that target group. “The strength jury comprising four top professionals – CEO of the programme is its variety, because there are and entrepreneur Hapsatou Sy, inventor and several categories: inventions useful in everyday designer Jean-Michel Chaudeurge, consumer life, utterly nuts inventions, and inventions that expert Philippe Bloch, and distribution could change our planet. And there will also be specialist Pascal Gayrard – expect exactly this some surprises”, Alex Goude, who co-presents unconventionality of the budding or seasoned the show with Sandrine Corman, promised in the inventors appearing on the show. The jury’s brief 18 April edition of Ici Paris. is to sift through the inventions presented by the 170 contestants (whittled down from Produced by FremantleMedia France and 300 original submissions), choose the most inspired by the US format American Inventor, ingenious ideas and assess their relevance, the show is not entirely new to M6. Back in 2007, market potential and future benefi t to consumers. the channel already aired L’Inventeur de l’année At the same time, the jury members will raise any (Inventor of the Year). “That programme problems associated with the inventions’ future performed very well in the ratings, attracting an commercialisation. The fi nal choice of the best average audience of 3.9 million viewers, but inventor will be left up to the audience watching we waited to see the extent of the winning the live broadcast of the show’s grand fi nal. invention’s success”, explained Anne-Sophie At stake is a prize of 100,000 euro plus a chance Larry, Head of External Flow Production. The to market the winning invention and maybe 2007 edition was won by Raymond Garcia, make a fortune. whose vertical barbecue won over 10,000 buyers. But as Anne-Sophie Larry pointed out: In an interview published in the 12 May edition of “Sales of Raymond’s vertical barbecue did TV Envie magazine, jury member Jean-Michel not enable him to break through in this highly Chaudeurge explained why he had become competitive market. On the other hand, involved with the programme: “I agreed to do it thanks to the media exposure provided by the out of empathy. I want to help others make their programme, the second-ranking invention mark. I was genuinely eager to see some real featured on the show, Yves Vincent

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Hapsatou Sy CEO and entrepreneur behind a highly successful global and tailor-made beauty salon concept In July 2005, aged just 24, Hapsatou Sy embarked on her big adventure with Ethnicia. In 2007 she won second prize for business innovation in a competition open The jury (from left to right): Jean-Michel Chaudeurge, to young entrepreneurs. Today, there are Philippe Blochy, Hapsatou Sy and Pascal Gayrard 16 Ethnicia beauty salons in France, with 3 more due to open shortly.

Brottier’s pulsed light hair remover, really caught on, and in less than fi ve years his company E-Swin generated sales totalling Philippe Bloch 10 million euro”. Consumer affairs expert, professional speaker and emcee, a veteran thinker about how best to serve To relaunch the L’Inventeur brand in 2012, in customers’ needs addition to a new jury the show has a panel of A graduate of ESSEC Business School, consumers. For the fi rst time in a programme Philippe edited several business magazines featuring jury members, anonymous members before publishing numerous popular works of the audience will also be given a chance to of his own. In 1994 he set up the Columbus have their say. From behind a two-way mirror, Café chain. Today, he is a professional this panel, which comprises 11 consumers, speaker and emcee who invests in start-ups will attend the auditions, comment on the and presents L’Entreprise BFM on BFM TV. contestants’ demonstrations of their inventions and pick up on the remarks made by members of the jury. Anne-Sophie Larry stressed: “This panel will play a key role in the contestants’ selection, Pascal Gayrard since it will have the casting vote if the jury fails CEO of Métro Cash & Carry France, distribution to reach a clear ‘yes’ or ‘no’ decision about an specialist invention. Aware of the importance of their role, they explained: “We take the inventors seriously Pascal Gayrard runs a prosperous company because we are making decisions about the employing around 10,000 employees. He lives of people who have put everything into their started his career in the supermarket sector project”. in 1981 and went on to occupy several managerial posts in the distribution sector. In Another novelty in the 2012 version of the 1992, he opted to join Métro Cash & Carry programme is that the development phase for France, rising to become its CEO in June inventions by members of the jury has been 2006. replaced by a live fi nal which will give viewers a chance to see the inventions being tested in real conditions. Only the six best inventors Jean-Michel Chaudeurge will reach that fi nal, which will give them a last opportunity to ‘sell’ their invention by Inventor and designer, with a string of successful inventions to his name highlighting all the improvements that have been made. The three candidates subsequently After graduating from the prestigious École remaining will present an ad showcasing their Camondo (a school of architecture and invention, be given one minute to convince design), Jean-Michel Chaudeurge went on French viewers that their invention deserves to to create a series of successful products win, and then be left to the mercy of a public vote. including the celebrated babyfood steamer and blender Babycook (and Babycook Duo), The next episode of L’Inventeur 2012 will air on and an award-winning range of stylish, M6 at 20:50 on 21 May. comfortable, practical Babyzen strollers complete with warning lights, which will soon be available in 60 countries.

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A showcase for digital innovation and diversity From 8 May to 10 May, the event ‘Art, Life, Culture in the digital space – Letsgoconnected.eu’ took place in Brussels, organised by Bertelsmann in cooperation with NBC Universal and Vivendi. Guillaume de Posch presented RTL Group’s digital businesses to EU Commissioner Neelie Kroes. Luxembourg - 11 May 2012

Guillaume de Posch says: “RTL Group is actively pursuing its digitisation strategy: our linear free-to-air channels are already available on multiple digital networks: terrestrial, cable, satellite or IPTV. We complement our channels with multiple non-linear offers such as free catch-up TV, paid on-demand service and apps on TV, tablets and smartphones – in a nutshell: on all second screens available to the viewers. We will do even more in the future. Let us not forget that content is the key driver of the demand for such devices. European content needs to be nurtured and properly protected by copyright. A proper playing fi eld must be Guillaume de Posch and Rhys Noelke (left) explain RTL Group’s established among all industry players on such digital devices to Commissioner Neelie Kroes new distribution networks.” Under the heading ‘Let’s Go Connected’, Bertelsmann, NBC Universal and Vivendi The aim of the event was to enable showcased the diversity and creativity of participants to experience a variety of digital Europe’s digital landscape, ranging from TV, content offers and interact with digital content books, press to music and fi lm, at the Ancienne providers, platform providers, artists and Nonciature – the former embassy of the Vatican entrepreneurs. European Institutions, Member – in Brussels. States, press and industry stakeholders had the opportunity to witness the vitality and Visitors were led in groups through a digital geographical scope of legal digital platforms landscape divided into different ’salons‘ offering access to creative content. representing the music, publishing and audiovisual sectors. Guillaume de Posch, Kroes said: “My vision is a digital ecosystem that Co-CEO of RTL Group, took the opportunity supports European consumers, creators, and a to guide EU Commissioner Neelie Kroes, who competitive content industry. Where everybody is in charge of the Digital Agenda programme, can legally access what they want, when they through the audiovisual salon. There he want it. Where creators can profi t from their work demonstrated various digital offers by and where a wealth of European content fi nds RTL Group companies such as mobile an online home: books, news, TV, fi lms, music, applications, movie streaming, connected TV games, and more.” and video-on-demand. Ambassadors as well as ministers from EU member states were also On RTL Group’s side, the exhibition was among the guests. prepared and co-ordinated by Rhys Noelke, Vice President Business Development.

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Taking care pays off Members of the environMINDteam from all major RTL Group subsidiaries met in Brussels to discuss concrete environmental issues in the proﬁ t centres as well as developments around the RTL Group Carbon Footprint. Oliver Herrgesell presents the environMINDaward to Philippe Delusinne (left) Luxembourg- 14 May 2012

The meeting started with an award Gallup survey and noting an increased usage ceremony: Oliver Herrgesell, Environmental of the eco-pages in Backstage in the recent Chief Ofﬁ cer at RTL Group, presented the months, he said: “With the ﬁ nancial crisis, environMINDaward for exemplary achievements other concerns came to the fore. However, facts in environmental protection to RTL Belgium’s indicate that the attention for environmental CEO, Philippe Delusinne. protection is bouncing back.”

Philippe Delusine said: “In 2004, we decided The environmental ofﬁ cers from the proﬁ t to build a new headquarter and gather all centres then shared a number of best practice RTL Belgium employees under one roof. Under examples such as energy saving measures, the leadership of Stéphane Geerts, Director server virtualisation, green IT, reduction of paper of Facility Management, we took up this huge consumption, cleaner company cars, recycling challenge while integrating as much and employee awareness campaigns. environmental features as possible. The outcome is beyond our expectations and I am delighted that this initiative is rewarded today with an environMINDaward. I would like to stress out the fact that environmental matters are part of the daily life of the company.”

Already since 2008, RTL Belgium has been the only RTL Group subsidiary to be fully powered by renewable energy. This initiative might be the most tangible evidence of the company’s commitment to sustainable growth and the prudent use of natural resources. RTL Belgium’s environmental approach is complete and also covers energy reduction, waste reduction and transport. For example, the company subsidises Tun Van Rijswijck all its employees’ public transport costs and its company-car policy encourages the use of Tun Van Rijswijck, Chief Operating Ofﬁ cer of cleaner vehicles. In addition to numerous BCE, who coordinated RTL Group’s ﬁ rst two in-house initiatives, RTL Belgium has been Carbon Footprint measurements and Achim committed to broadcasting programmes Schorb of the German Institute for Energy and intended to raise public awareness. Environment (IFEU) in Heidelberg, elaborated on RTL Group’s Carbon Footprint. Van Rijswijck Following the award presentation, Herrgesell made a brief comparison of the company’s presented the status of the activities undertaken environmental impact in terms of energy, by the environMIND-initiative since it began business travel and employee commuting in in 2008. He also addressed the reception of 2008 compared to 2010. “Comparing things that environmental issues. Quoting an annual are comparable, RTL Group has reduced its

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Group wide environmental officers (from left to right): Oliver Herrgesell (RTL Group), Stéphane Geerts (RTL Belgium), Emmanuelle Tanneau (M6), Caroline Chartier (RTL Group), Katrin Gaertner (Bertelsmann), Philippe Delusinne (RTL Belgium), Stefan Witczak (RTL Television), Stefan Uhl (RTL II), Achim Schorb (IFEU), Tun Van Rijswijck (BCE), Jeroen Marre (RTL Nederland), Sarah Tingay (FremantleMedia), Jennifer Rubly (RTL Group), Sue McCartney (FremantleMedia), François Masquelier (RTL Group), Robert Palya (RTL Klub), Janine Neves (RTL Group). At the right top corner - Jean-Michel Kerdraon (RTL Radio), Mareike Lindig (RTL Radio Deutschland), Perica Bosnja (RTL Televizija)

Global Warming Potential from 2008 to 2010 Katrin Gaertner, Head of the ‘be green’-initiative by an estimated 6 per cent at constant scope” of Bertelsmann, gave an overview over the explains Van Rijswijck. “Although energy environmental priorities from the view of the consumption is growing and is the largest main RTL Group shareholder. proportion of the group greenhouse gases emissions, we start to see efforts paying Oliver Herrgesell stepped down as off. In two years, we have reduced our ofﬁ ce Environmental Chief Ofﬁ cer with the end of the paper consumption by 20 per cent, videotapes meeting to focus on his role as chairman by 70 per cent, water consumption by of the RTL Group Corporate Responsibility 35 per cent and increased recycling by Council. His successor is Tun Van Rijswijck. 57 per cent, all this even with a growing Herrgesell, who initiated the environMINDteam business.” more than 4 years ago, said: “I am happy to hand over to Tun, who is both a passionate To get an external view, Alexandra Palt, Director and focused ambassador of environment of Sustainable Development at L’Oreal, spoke protection and sustainability”. to participants about the cosmetics and beauty company’s social responsibility strategic approaches and targets.

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The legacy of Radio Luxembourg in communist Poland On 16 May 2012, an exhibition opens in Warsaw, dedicated to the broadcasting of Radio Luxembourg programmes in Poland during the years of the communist dictatorship. Luxembourg - 16 May 2012

Visit Varsovie.mae.lu/en

Remebering Radio Luxembourg

Entitled ‘Wspominając Radio Luxembourg Many representatives of the PRL/Remembering Radio Luxembourg in the political, economic and cultural People’s Republic of Poland’, the exhibition is elite of Poland today listened to taking place in the salons of the Embassy of Radio Luxembourg in their youth. the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Warsaw After that, theobjective of the exhibition is to and is under the high honorary patronage of trace the long-term impact of Radio Luxembourg HRH the Grand Duke of Luxembourg and on the popular culture of Polish youth during of the President of the Republic of Poland, the time of the communist dictatorship in Bronisław Komorowski. Poland while highlighting the current role of Luxembourg in the ﬁ eld of information The excellent reputation that Radio technology and electronic media. Luxembourg and Luxembourg enjoy in Poland dates back in part to the Cold War period, during The exhibition was put together by the Institute which many young Poles listened regularly to of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology Radio Luxembourg programmes, especially of the University of Warsaw headed by programmes in English. In spite of the Iron Professor Anna Malewska-Szałygin and Curtain that divided Europe, and often using ﬁ nanced by the Luxembourgish state and improvised antennas, young, non-conformist RTL Group as well as by SES, BIL and Poles enjoyed a “window of freedom” thanks Euroscript. The project was also realised in to Radio Luxembourg, which allowed them partnership with TVP (Telewizja Polska), Trójka to discover popular Western music and the (Polskie Radio), CityInfo and ams. counterculture of the 1960s and 70s. 8 week 20 the RTL Group intranet

Britney Spears and Demi Lovato join the X Factor Pop icon Britney Spears and singer/songwriter and actress Demi Lovato will join LA Reid and Simon Cowell as judges on FremantleMedia North America’s The X Factor this autumn. Britney Spears North America - 15 May 2012

Spears is one of the most successful and celebrated entertainers in pop history. Her musical career boasts nearly 100 million albums sold worldwide and countless awards and accolades, including the 2011 MTV Video Vanguard Award and Billboard’s Best-Selling Female Artist of the Decade (1998 to 2008). Spears fi rst captivated audiences with her fi rst single …Baby One More Time, an international hit that is currently 14 times Platinum in the US. So far, Spears has earned a total of fi ve number one debut albums and 24 Top 40 songs in her career. Demi Lovato Lovato is an accomplished singer and actress Simon Cowell says: “I’m absolutely delighted with a devoted and engaged young fan base. Britney and Demi are joining us. Britney remains Her single, Skyscraper, off of her most recent one of the biggest stars in the world, she’s album, Unbroken, recently went platinum, while talented, fascinating – and I believe she knows the video for her new single, Give Your Heart a exactly how to spot The X Factor. Demi’s had Break, already has garnered 10 million Youtube an amazing career in music, TV and fi lm for views. Lovato began acting at the age of 10, and someone her age. She’s young, confi dent, and starred in the cable television series, Sonny With enthusiastic. I think it’s really important that she A Chance. Her fi lm credits include Camp Rock speaks to our younger audience. The new panel and Princess Protection Programme. will be dynamic and will work really well with the changes we are making to the show.” “Britney Spears has done it all – she is the ultimate pop icon – and I am thrilled that In its fi rst season on Fox, The X Factor shot to the she has agreed to join The X Factor,” says top of the ratings as the number one unscripted Executive Producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz, series of the autumn and currently ranks as a CEO of FremantleMedia North America. Top 10 series among Adults 18 to 49 and the “Nobody embodies The X Factor more than number one new series among Women 18 to 49. Britney – she has shown the world what it The X Factor was created by Syco Television means, how to do it and how to sustain it. Demi, and is produced by FremantleMedia North like Britney, was discovered at a young age. Her America and Syco Television. Rob Wade and ambition and drive solidifi es her as one of the Siobhan Greene are Executive Producers most popular young artists today. Now they will for Syco Television. Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Richard each get a chance to share their experiences Holloway and Andrew Llinares serve as and skills with the acts that they will mentor on Executive Producers for FremantleMedia North The X Factor.” America.

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Kicking off season seven America’s Got Talent premiered with a two-hour episode. In its seventh season, the talent show has not only a new judge but also a brand-new home on the US east coast. North America - 14 May 2012

American radio personality, television host and author Howard Stern joins the show as a judge, along with Howie Mandel and Sharon Osbourne. Stern helped to transform American radio and put syndicated satellite radio on the map with Sirius XM. As the outspoken, unedited and headline-grabbing host of The Howard Stern Show radio programme, Stern was Nick Cannon, Sharon Osbourne, Howard Stern and Howie Mandel nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005 and (from left to right) became a pop-culture icon with a massive loyal fan base. Stern said he thinks his radio Also, NBC’s America’s Got Talent and its audience is ready to see him try something new. producers have again collaborated with He’s curious about how it turns out: “If it doesn’t Youtube, and for the fi rst time, show sponsor work, I’ll crawl back into my hole at Sirius and Snapple, to allow talented acts from across the lick my wounds,” he said. “If it does work, I’ll be country the opportunity to audition online for thrilled.” Nick Cannon returns as host. their shot at stardom and a million-dollar prize. Now through 1 June, United States-based acts Located in Newark, New Jersey, the New Jersey of all ages can upload their audition videos via Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is among the the America’s Got Talent Audition App, or on largest performing arts centers in the United different websites. Following the June 1 deadline, States. The state-of-the-art venue will hold an producers will select 20 acts for the Youtube audience of over 2,200 fans for each show. The community to view and vote for their favorites. live shows will be broadcast two nights a week The number one Youtube act with the most from Prudential Hall at the NJPAC beginning in qualifying votes will gain a place on the Youtube July. Snapple quarterfi nal performance episode. Eleven other acts found on Youtube will also “We’re excited fans of America’s Got Talent who perform on the special live show and will be live on the east coast will fi nally get a chance to competing for slots in the semi-fi nals. see the show live from the beautiful New Jersey Performing Arts Center, a fi rst-class venue with In 2011, America’s Got Talent was the number a history of showcasing the world’s top talent,” one non-sports telecast on ABC, CBS, NBC or said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO FremantleMedia Fox in total viewers during every week it aired North America. “If the passionate crowds we’ve over the summer, making it the number one had at this season’s auditions are any indication, summer series in total viewers for a sixth year it’s going to be the place to be this summer.” in a row.

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FremantleMedia France founds 123 Productions FremantleMedia France has merged all its DTT, cable and satellite production operations into a single entity called 123 Productions. France - 15 May 2012

A subsidiary of FremantleMedia France, the new structure will be led by Isabelle Mitsch as Head of Sales, and Bruno Fallot as Head of Programming and Development. They will report directly to Monica Galer, President of FremantleMedia France. “DTT, cable and satellite channels are transforming the French media landscape and will continue to grow,” says Galer. “Our establishment of 123 Productions is in line with this trend and will allow us to be more active in these markets.”

Mitsch, currently Head of Sales for several animation producers (C&D, PMMP, Cymax), took over the distribution of Playboy Entertainment Group in 2000 before joining the content Isabelle Mitsch division of Orange in 2005, where she was particularly instrumental in the creation and launch of the Orange cinema series of pay channels in 2008. “We are pleased with the conﬁ dence Monica Galer has shown by giving us this exciting assignment,” she says.

Bruno Fallot has worked on several of the group’s formats such as X Factor, Incroyable Talent (Got Talent), and Nouvelle Star (Idols). He was also Artistic Director of Arab Idol. A former journalist, he has been a producer at FremantleMedia since 2006. “I am delighted to be a part of the creation and development of this company, which will allow us to be particularly reactive and creative, and formulate the best responses to the DTT, cable and satellite markets,” he says. Bruno Fallot

11 Live from the Croisette

From 16 to 27 May, everything at RTL Radio will revolve around cinema on the occasion of the 65th Cannes Film Festival. A few days before the stars walk up the red-carpeted steps, Marion Cotillard and Will Smith (pictured) have already been featured among the station’s distinguished guests. week 20 the RTL Group intranet

Friday is naval crime night Airing on CBS in the United States since January of this year, Season 3 of NCIS: Los Angeles kicked off on M6 on 11 May 2012. 4.3 million viewers tuned in for a total audience share of 16.6 per cent. France - 11 May 2012

Zero road deaths RTL-TVI is airing Go for zéro, a new short programme produced in partnership with the IBSR (Belgian institute for road safety). Belgium - 14 May 2012

Co-production deal with BBC Worldwide RTL Television has signed a co-production deal with BBC Worldwide for Hidden Kingdom, an event-scale wildlife ﬁ lm produced by the BBC Natural History Unit. The other co-production partners are France 2 and Discovery. Germany - 15 May 2012

The radio station with great deals Radio Contact now offers ‘Contact Avantages’, a platform offering great deals for the station’s listeners and Internet users that is accessible through the RadioContact.be website. Belgium - 16 May 2012

The most influential person in the Hungarian media landscape For the ﬁ fth time in a row, Dirk Gerkens, CEO of RTL Klub, has been ranked at number one in the Top 50 list of the most inﬂ uential persons in the Hungarian media industry, compiled by the communication magazine Marketing & Media. Hungary - 16 May 2012

Britain’s Got Talent final draws 14.5 million A peak audience of 14.5 million watched the ﬁ nal of Britain’s Got Talent on 12 May 2012 – the highest recorded peak audience of any programme in 2012. Ashleigh and her dog Pudsey took the title of Britain’s Got Talent champion 2012. United Kingdom - 16 May 2012

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