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BONNIER

Bonnier announces new CEO

Swedish media group Bonnier has announced Jonas Bonnier as its new CEO.

Published: 12 October 2007 14:38 CEST

The news coincides with the resignation of Bengt Braun, who held the post for the last ten years.

Jonas Bonnier is currently head of Bonnier Magazine Group. He will take over as CEO of Bonnier AB at the beginning of next year.

“During the past few years Jonas Bonnier has proven himself to be the right man for the job. He has deep knowledge of our industry, international experience and knows the Group inside out”, said Carl-Johan Bonnier, Chairman of the Board, in a statement.

Bengt Braun is to remain on the board of directors and has also been appointed Vice Chairman of Bonnier AB.

“Under Bengt Braun’s leadership, the Bonnier Group has substantially boosted its sales, expanded internationally, strengthened its finances and delivered record-breaking results. We are pleased that Bengt wishes to continue in the Group,” said Carl-Johan Bonnier.

Controlled by the Bonnier family, the group owns 150 companies spread across 21 countries. The company was founded by Gerhard Bonnier in 1804.

EUROPEAN UNION

Swedish publisher behind EU press subsidy complaint

Publishing giant Bonnier AB was responsible for delivering a secret complaint to the EU Commission about state support to the press in Sweden.

Published: 6 May 2008 16:51 CEST

The revelation was made clear by their reply to the government’s call for comments on a new legislative proposal on the matter.

The analysis of operational support included in the comment is the same as that done in the complaint to the EU Commission.

The complaint itself is also includes as a supplement to the comment, writes the magazine Medievärlden.

Up until now it had been a secret as to which company was behind the complaint delivered to officials in Brussels.

The complaint, as well as the EU Commission’s own objections to the new design of state press subsidies, eventually moved Minister of Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth to put forward a new proposal.

In its response to the new proposal, Bonnier AB has chosen to show its cards.

The criticism of the old proposal remains in addition to an analysis of the new one.

The company claims the new press support formulation disrupts free competition within the industry, favours certain companies, and conflicts with EU rules on state supports. As a result, the proposal is unjust, says Bonnier AB, which is seeking a comprehensive review of state subsidies for the press.