Candidates with strong personalities, verbal jousting, a dose of suspense, … presidential election, the highlight of French political life, provides a golden opportunity for brands to stand out for their creativity. For some of them, it is even the opportunity to make themselves known. Among them, the Paris Chocolate brand, created last year, did speak of her with boxes of chocolates bearing the image of candidates. Popilz society, which wants to start selling humorous figurines inspired by celebrities, moved, for his part, since its April 23 first characters in the image of Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande. MarionDem, young designer who launched last December the lingerie brand Panty Me, launched panties printed with the colors of the candidates. Best known and oldest brand Reunion sorry! commercialized a reversible shirt if we hesitate to support the UMP candidate or PS free instant credit score.

In these operations, profitability is not often visit. "We know that this is not a shirt to wear every day. We especially want to build brand awareness, "said Peter Marten, founder of the brand sorry! that focuses on products related to humorous news. Even at the risk a fine for infringement of image rights, as in 2008. At Popilz also, "the goal is not to make profits but to come forward and test the market," says Bastien Rochard, manager of the company. "The presidential election is the best time to create awareness around a brand. Citizens and the media only talk about it for a month. This is an opportunity to talk with humor. "

The figurine "Zarkface", inspired by Nicolas Sarkozy and sold by Popilz. DR

Faced with the crisis, employers are reducing their training budgets, but at the same time, feel they do not have the skills necessary for their development. They evoke a strong "talent shortage". This paradox is largely promoted by the 10th European Business Summit 2012, held this Thursday 26 April by the Federation of Belgian Enterprises (FEB) – equivalent of the MEDEF and the giant-board, Accenture.

A survey by Accenture and presented during the Forum is a measure of the problem (*). Over the last 12 months, 86% of European employers surveyed reduced or froze their spending on training and skills development. The greatest restrictions affecting Italy (93%), Spain (90%) and Britain (90%). But no country is characterized by the implementation of important ways. France is about average (85%) and Germany is slightly less severe (71%).

In the next 12 months, no change announcement: only 18% of employers plan to increase spending.

Yet at the same time, 43% of them recognize that they are facing a talent shortage. Better, 72% say they have revised upwards their investments

.

"It's the crisis, companies are reducing the wing," says Fernand Dimidschstein, responsible for the activity management consultancy Accenture France Benelux. "We must reinvest in training! Because without training, there is no skill, and no innovation, "he insists. The EU summit is organized to raise consciousness. "

"The withdrawal is a database error"

Restrictions to the paradox of training budgets is also the issue of "untapped talent pools" in Europe: 23 million people unemployed, plus a non-working population, wants to work but faces many obstacles, ie 15 million seniors, and young mothers face the same struggle.

"Companies do not know their talents, both internally and externally," says Fernand Dimidschstein.

Based on these observations and responses of respondents, the study makes recommendations to employers and politicians. It invites the first to "invest in collecting and analyzing data to draw the profiles of talent" and work together on networks. "German companies have an ability to hunt in packs, which is not the case in the rest of Europe," said Fernand Dimidschstein.

Policy makers, the study suggests more support for schools and businesses partnerships to bond market needs. It also calls for increased harmonization of diplomas in the European area. The Bologna Declaration had laid the groundwork in 1999, "but too many students still spend equivalencies," says Fernand Dimidschstein. "It would also simplify the legislation to attract international talent in Europe and encourage them to settle there," he continues talking about an "intelligent immigration". "The withdrawal is a database error," he concludes.

(*) Study "Turning the Tide: how Europe rebuild skills and generate Cdn Growth", conducted in February 2012 among 500 decision makers at the head of business administration and civil society organizations.

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Not a word has filtered out of the conversation between Nicolas Sarkozy and PSA boss Philippe Varin. For nearly an hour, the two men met at the Elysee about the factory in Aulnay-sous-Bois in Seine Saint-Denis. The future of this plant, which employs over 3,300 people, would be threatened, unions fear. The presidency as the automotive group has declined to comment on leaving the meeting.

Nicolas Sarkozy wanted to convince Philippe Varin to organize a roundtable discussion with unions and industry minister, Eric Besson, "next week" to discuss the future of the site. A request of the unions, the president-candidate met Thursday at his campaign headquarters.

"All done" to save the plant

Nicolas Sarkozy said on Friday, on the antenna of i-TV: he will "do anything to save this plant." For him, it must "ease the burden on the wages of employees and the contributions of the company." He recalled that the business tax that has weighed deleted "250 euro per car manufactured in France." "It's fine to say that the cars must be manufactured in France, but if you put on in France making more taxes than elsewhere, there is a relocation," he concluded.

The unions said they were somewhat reassured after their head to head with Nicolas Sarkozy. "The words we hear a lot, but the words fly away, we want it written guarantees, said Jean-Pierre Mercier, the CGT. We play our skin. "And not just employees of PSA 9000 with direct and indirect jobs, PSA Aulnay is one of the largest employers in Seine-Saint-Denis, according to the General Council.

The record of the Aulnay plant is back on center stage last weekend. The unions had then expressed their disappointment after a meeting between employee representatives and management organized by the prefect of Seine Saint-Denis. But the concern of unions as of June 2011 and the disclosure of internal working documents of the automaker speculating a closure of Aulnay. Unions fear that the decline in production will continue and lead eventually to a cessation of activity on this site.

"We want to continue working"

In recent months the government has stepped up operations in the industrial thorny issues. Latest success, the recovery of the carrier Sernam by Geodis. In the case of Peugeot, the unions are skeptical, as expressed by Jean-Pierre Mercier Thursday: "We all know that the management of Peugeot expects the presidential and legislative elections to officially announce the closure of this factory, we are unwilling not die, we want to continue working. "

Like it or not, a sort of "peer government" is trying to establish in Europe. No national economic policy can now be released from the judgment of its neighbors and European authorities themselves, for better or for worse. While Spain had suffered fire Tuesday in financial markets, with the key rumors of a possible bailout like the programs in place for Greece, Ireland and Portugal, the German Government and the European Central Bank have seen fit to act as surety moral Wednesday, and in almost identical terms.

"Spain has undertaken major reforms in several areas, including finance, labor market and the banking sector," said Johannes Blankenheim in Berlin, the spokesman of the Ministry of Finance. "We regret that the markets have not yet acknowledged the enormous reform efforts," he added.

Almost simultaneously, but in Paris, Benedict Cœuré, one of six members of the ECB executive, developed the same argument. "The new government (in Spanish) has taken strong decisions … What is happening in the markets does not reflect the fundamentals (of the Spanish economy)." And the ECB representative, who attended a conference organized by the AFTE (French Association of Corporate Treasurers), joined the action to the word: "The ECB could intervene? We instrument for this, programs to purchase securities in the market, which has not been used (since February) but can be. "

The situation remains fragile

These words produced an instant effect on the markets. Yields on bonds of the Spanish State, which had peaked at 5.99% on Wednesday morning, retreated to 5.82%. However Italy has seen its borrowing rates harden, and the eight billion shares to twelve months were subscribed at a rate of 2.84% instead of 1.40% during the similar issue launched in March, while its refinancing conditions had steadily improved since the beginning of the year. This is clear proof that "the situation remains fragile … Governments must continue the efforts already made to restore sound fiscal positions and support the long-term growth," added Benedict Cœuré.

The roadmap on which governments will be judged by the markets is twofold equally important: first reductions of deficits and the other structural reforms likely to revive economies. Thus the European Commission Wednesday she said "the very important reform of the labor market" set up by Madrid, having welcomed the measures announced Monday savings in health and education, a total budget of 10 billion euros.

As president of the French Banking Federation and head of Societe Generale, Frederic Oudéa says the same thing: "You have come to show the markets that the trajectories become virtuous, and this requires a number of quarters to show that results are well go, "he said Wednesday on BFM Business antenna.

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"I never agreed to turn in a series if it had not been open to international than that I propose today." Jean Reno, one of the biggest stars of the 49th edition of MIPTV, which runs until April 4 at Cannes, is entering the world became very select the TV series. It will be the key figure in the future production brought on a platter by Atlantic Productions (Lagardère Group) in TF1 and launches its first major international co-production.

In the purest tradition of French first commercial channel, "The Grand" is "an ambitious cop show" tour in English, created by Rene Balcer and (judicial NYPD, New York: Criminal Intent). "This is our first collaboration with Jean Reno in a series, says Laurent Storch, executive vice president of TF1, in charge of the cluster production. Its presence reinforces one of our convictions: building bridges between cinema and television. "

The actor, a great frequenter of blockbusters traveling, be sure seduced by the idea "of this series which is intended to be broadcast worldwide. I am sure that before long, she will even conquered the Asian market! "He smiles. Its role will be that of a Brigade commander whose criminal investigations take place in Paris. "The city is the second main character in the series," said one who promises to be "myself in this role. This is probably the one most like me today. This character is meant complex. This is not a single cop as I was able to interpret them so far. Jo has lived he has gray areas. It contains both the strength and humanity. "  

International Strategy

TF1 has signed for an initial season, the amount for each of the eight episodes around 2 million no teletrack payday loan. The first French chain has agreed to buy the pre-set to the tune of 900,000 euros per episode. It should not be on air until 2013. The fact that it is filmed in English is clearly strategic. "For four years, we position ourselves in the international market because we are in a world increasingly fragmented between different modes of dissemination programs, be it traditional TV, VOD, or catch-up TV. We must be able to offer strong programs of international stature. Here at MIPTV, 98% of the proposed programs are shot in English, "said Takis Candilis, CEO of Atlantic Productions. The latter is also in Cannes to complete its financing from major global players in the audiovisual sector. Already, it has the input of the distributor SevenOne International, a subsidiary of Germany's ProSieben Sat1 and claims to be on the right voice to convince.

Admittedly, Takis Candilis arrives crowned with the success of the Borgias, co-financed by Canal +. A second season of the series written by Tom Fontana is also being prepared for a total of thirty million. What are the ranks of the largest international producers. TF1, we will however cautious about a second season: "We see the success of the first," says Sophie Leveaux, artistic director of acquisitions group. It must be said that the chain headed by Nonce Paolini also a development project of international series with Luc Besson, for now still in limbo. For his part, Jean Reno is not opposed to a sequel but it intends to hire "for a limited time" so as not to sacrifice his career in film.

The Chinese have hit hard. They decided to freeze orders 45 Airbus to protest against the carbon tax that the European Commission imposed from January 1 to all airlines flying over European airspace. Beijing remember vividly that he has very strong case when a trading partner dares challenge him. The Middle Kingdom also knows how to play the national preference. It requires six high-tech sectors to buy Chinese. China is not the only country to use every weapon at its disposal to defend its interests.

Other states willingly play the card of patriotism and protectionism. In the U.S., the Pentagon chose the U.S. in February 2011 at the expense of Airbus Boeing to equip 179 tanker aircraft. The battle, which has experienced tremendous twists, lasted ten years. In France, more than 180 MPs signed a petition in June 2011 calling Air France to equip Airbus, not Boeing.

Broader range of measures

A study by the consulting firm Roland Berger, the use of defensive protectionism is rising sharply. The G20 countries have taken defensive measures 122 between November 2010 and April 2011, against 54 between May 2010 and October 2010. The first concerned imports amounting to $ 77 billion. The second for $ 31 billion. They drew on a wide range of measures ranging from quotas to technical standards, sanitary and environmental, through administrative procedures, restricting access to public procurement, export restrictions. Countries can also go on the offensive by providing support to an industrial sector, export subsidies, antidumping action or increase tariffs.

Europe can be even more tempted to protect themselves, the trade deficit with China rose to 170 billion euros in 2010 and has lost 3.3 million manufacturing jobs between 2003 and 2009 when China created 56 million jobs in the industry during the same period.

Refusing the border closure, Roland Berger experts advocate that Europe plays the opening for several reasons. European countries can not ignore the markets of Brazil, India, China and Russia who represent 40% of global GDP in 2050. They have strong assets (qualified staff, quality of infrastructure) that enabled them to attract in 2009 twice as much foreign investment (216 billion euros) that the United States. Europe can count on champions entered in the top 3 worldwide in their sector, such as GDF Suez, LVMH, EADS, Bayer, Sanofi Aventis, Michelin, BASF, Volkswagen. But it must also be facilitated by the political will to resist threats. The standoff Airbus-carbon tax is a good test.

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Olympus is preparing to renew its leadership. The group of optical and medical imaging, the center of a scandal hidden losses, said Monday it has chosen children of the seraglio to compose his future Board. The group is now led by Hiroyuki Sasa, now in charge of marketing.

Olympus has also promised to appoint six outside directors (most already linked to the group) of the eleven new members to its board of directors to be presented for approval at a special meeting of shareholders on April 20.

A scandal of hidden losses of $ 1.5 billion spread over thirteen years to put down the reputation of Olympus. Last summer, the group managing director, Michael Woodford, was curtly thanked by its board of directors after requiring clarification of accounting anomalies revealed in the press.

Since then, the president "historic" Olympus and six executives were arrested. In a country where a charge often means a conviction (almost all of the defendants are convicted in Japan), these arrests have cast doubt on the sustainability of the group in its current form.

Exit the ambiguity

Too broke out, could be sold by Olympus divisions to another industry. Its medical imaging division in particular displayed an insolent financial health despite a fiscal year 2011-2012 which looks disastrous for society (200 billion yen loss forecast for the year which will end in late March). Sony has already shown particular interest in the activities of Olympus.

Meanwhile, the current management group, on borrowed time until April 20, closely linked to the ousted president, trying with difficulty to break the ambiguity. The next president is chosen as Olympus just SMBC, the bank group, so its main creditor, who has covered, probably by laxity, all of its accounting maquillables.

"It is not desirable that the president comes from SMBC", pleaded last week the U.S. fund Southeastern Asset Management, which owns 5% of Olympus. Wasted. To date, most members of the board are being sued … by Olympus.

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