COMAUGURIFThrough its Fimalac Développement subsidiary, Fimalac will soon acquire a 40% interest in Auguri Productions, a French company specialised in organising and promoting concerts. The investment will extend the positions acquired by Fimalac Développement in the French entertainment and leisure industry with Gilbert Coullier Productions, Vega and Groupe Lucien Barrière.
In association with founders Charles Bensmaine, Laurent Malvaldi and Sandrine Delaune, Fimalac is committed to driving faster growth at Auguri Productions, which produces the concert tours of such artists as Dominique A, M (Matthieu Chedid), Juliette, Oxmo Puccino, Vanessa Paradis, Thomas Dutronc, Soprano, Julien Doré or Stromae.
Fimalac also holds a 40% stake in Gilbert Coullier Productions, France's leading concert organiser, which produces around 800 shows a year for established French-speaking singers and comedians. In particular, it organised Michel Polnareff's comeback tour in 2007 and Céline Dion's latest French tour in 2008, will manage the 2012 tours of Johnny Hallyday and Michel Sardou and produces such comedians as Gad Elmaleh and Laurent Gerra.
The acquisition of a 100% interest in Vega also made Fimalac a major player in show distribution, which like production is an integral part of the entertainment value chain. Vega is France's leading operator of concert halls, sports venues and conference centers for business and other events. It operates around 20 facilities, including the Zénith concert halls and a number of multi-purpose complexes, in a dozen large cities around France.
Lastly, Fimalac owns 40% of Groupe Lucien Barrière, whose "Barrière" and "Fouquet's" brands enjoy high awareness in the luxury hospitality and gaming markets. The company also operates entertainment facilities and produces around 2,500 show a year, of which 500 large ones.
Through its investments in Gilbert Coullier and Auguri in concert management, and in Vega and Groupe Lucien Barrière in show distribution, Fimalac has become a leader in France's entertainment industry and is committed to harmoniously developing the new business.
Paris, May 2, 2011