Paris, 1 September 2005 – JCDecaux SA (Euronext Paris: DEC), the number one outdoor advertising company in Europe and the number two worldwide, announced today that MCDecaux, a joint venture between JCDecaux SA (60%) and Mitsubishi Corporation (40%), has been recognised by the Japanese Minister of Finance, Trade and Industry for its outstanding contribution to the vitalization of the Japanese economy.
For the first time, this award has been made to four foreign companies, chosen from among 300 companies nominated by JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization). The criteria for their selection was to demonstrate how Japan could benefit from their excellence in developing new products, innovative services, technologies or high quality management, and, as a result, contributing to the vitality of the economy and the creation of job opportunities.
By introducing Japan to the concept of bus shelter advertising, which was invented in France by JCDecaux, MCDecaux provided Japanese local authorities with a new economic model, which offers a free service to citizens while enhancing cities. MCDecaux has been working with Japanese designers, manufacturing plants and local advertising agencies as well as creating employment by setting up a Japanese maintenance team.
Emmanuel Bastide, the Chairman of MCDecaux, received this award from Mr. Shoichi Nakagawa, the Minister of Finance and Industry, along with representatives of the three other award winning companies: Zara (Spain), Amazon (United States) and Rohde-Schwarz (Germany).
Jean-Charles Decaux, co-CEO of JCDecaux, said: “This award confirms the value of the work our local teams have contributed over the last five years, for which I congratulate them. To be recognised in this way is an honour for JCDecaux, not least because it comes from the government of the second strongest economy in the world. It demonstrates that, after 40 years, JCDecaux continues to demonstrate its position as a pioneer throughout the world and maintains its high standards in terms of quality and innovation. It is also symbolic of our ability to create jobs in countries where we have operations which, thanks to our organic growth, contributes to their economy.».
