JCDecaux renews concession for Hong Kong subway

JCDecaux SA (Euronext Paris: DEC), a world leader in outdoor advertising and the largest outdoor group in Europe, announced today that MTR Corporation, the operator of the Hong Kong subway, has renewed its advertising contract for the four urban lines of the MTR network, following a competitive tender process.

• The five year contract, which commences at the beginning of 2003, includes the 20,000 advertising panels on the Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong, Island and Tung Chung lines, which had annual passenger traffic of 758 million in 2001.
• JCDecaux is the leading outdoor advertising group in Hong Kong with a 50% market share. In addition to its 20 year relationship with MTR, the Group has also managed the advertising concession for Hong Kong airport for 14 years.

Jeny Yeung, Marketing and Business Development Manager of the Corporation, indicated that the decision to award the contract to JCDecaux again had been made after an open tender process and thorough assessment on each submission. She said, “The tendering exercise had drawn good response from the market and the Corporation had received a number of competitive bids, JCDecaux is appointed again as their proposal can best meet our requirements and fulfil the many criteria we set out for the contract.” Jean-Charles Decaux, Chairman of the Executive Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer of JCDecaux SA said, “This is one of the largest and most successful transit advertising contracts in the world and we are delighted that the MTR has again chosen JCDecaux following our 20-year relationship. This win reflects our commitment to quality and innovation, and confirms our position as the leading provider of out-of-home advertising in Hong Kong.”