Strengthening of co-operation with Affichage Holding

JCDecaux SA (Euronext Paris : DEC), a world leader in outdoor advertising and the largest outdoor group in Europe, and Affichage Holding SA (Zürich : AFFN.S), the Swiss market leader and world nº 6 in this sector, announced today that they are strengthening their co-operation in Central Europe.

As members of Europlakat International (EPI), Affichage Holding is a partner of Gewista, the Austrian leader in outdoor advertising, whose principal shareholder is JCDecaux.

To accelerate their growth in countries such as Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Serbia - where an average of 8 % of advertising expenditures are spent in the outdoor sector – JCDecaux and Affichage Holding have agreed to invest some €68 million (100 million Swiss francs) over the next five years in Central Europe. The strengthened co-operation between the two companies will also be marked by an increase in Affichage Holding's share in EPI from 49% to 50%, in line with the numerous partnerships established by JCDecaux in Europe, who will hold the other 50 % of EPI.

In the context of this co-operation, and on the occasion of the re-election of its Board of Directors, the Board of Affichage Holding will propose at the Company’s next General Meeting that Mr. Jean-François Decaux join its Board, simultaneously with the appointment of two other new members - Mr. Klaus Hug from Berne and Mr. Jean-Claude Marchand from Geneva.

Jean-François Decaux, Chairman of the Executive Board and co-CEO of JCDecaux, said:"I am very pleased to be proposed to join the Board of Affichage Holding, one of the most prestigious media companies in Switzerland, formed over 100 years ago, of which JCDecaux owns 30 % of the share capital. The two groups have the special characteristic of being focused on the field of outdoor advertising and share a common vision regarding the development of the medium."

Christian Kauter, Managing Director of Affichage Holding, commented: "We are particularly delighted with our co-operation with JCDecaux in EPI. This move is very positive because we shall be moving forward with a strong partner, and it will stimulate EPI's capacity for rapid growth."