All World

Pepsi resurrects Michael Jackson

One of the first stars to have turned in an advertisement for PepsiCo was James Dean. It was in 1950.

Since, there are many who have lent their brand image, including Michael Jackson in the 1980s. Following an agreement between the managers of agribusiness etles image of the former king of pop, this will again be the case in 2012 faxless cash advances.

The limited edition Pepsi cans bearing the likeness of Michael Jackson. Photo credits: Uncredited / AP

The German left reopens the debate on the ISF

Inspired by the French Socialists, the German Social Democrats just put a swing to the left. The SPD has decided to revive the wealth tax. Four German states, ruled by the great party of the Left, have announced their intention to submit before the summer in the Bundesrat, the upper house of Parliament, a bill for the reintroduction of a "Vermögensteuer" (ISF) modernized.

"The SPD has never hidden its emphasis on social justice. We can not simply cut down spending to meet the golden rule. That is why we are determined to pave the way for the reintroduction of the wealth tax, "said Carsten Kühl (SPD), Minister of Finance of Rhineland-Palatinate. Led by the SPD, Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Hamburg will present, before the summer break, their text in the Bundesrat, which are represented the German regional states.

Their proposal includes a tax rate of 1% for individuals and businesses. This should apply to people whose heritage is over two million and save the middle class homeowners. Calculated by the SPD, this FSI could relate to the federal state between 8 and 10 billion euros per year. However the text is unlikely to be adopted in the Bundesrat, where Angela Merkel has lost its majority, but where the SPD does not have an absolute majority cheap business cards. And it would still be ratified by the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, dominated by the center-right coalition of Chancellor.

Elections

Whatever. For the SPD it is to lay the groundwork for the legislative elections of 2013. The German Social Democrats had considered the proposal outrageous tax to 75% of the very rich made by Francois Hollande. The reluctance of the socialist candidate against the golden rule also raise the misunderstanding of the German left. But she sees the ISF a good opportunity to stand out from the Chancellor on matters of taxation.

Across the Rhine, the income tax is capped at 42% with a special 45% said "tax the rich", for those whose monthly income exceeds the 250,731 euros. The Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe ruled in 1995 that the income tax could not exceed 50%, whereas beyond this was a confiscatory measure contrary to the fundamental law. And the federal government, which has never carried out the modernization demanded by the Court in Karlsruhe, has stopped collecting the tax on capital in 1997.

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The French retailer is accelerating its expansion Kusmi

Champs-Elysees, Fifth Avenue … This is the new playground for Kusmi, the French retailer of tea bobo to conquer the urban working women and 30-50 years. Bought in 2005 by Sylvain Orebi, former dealer in cocoa and coffee, this old brand founded in the nineteenth century Russian wants to move up a gear. "We want to be the first premium tea brand in the world, and we give ourselves the means, the goal being to exceed 100 million by 2015", against 17 million in 2011, said Sylvain Orebi.

Kusmi, which covers over 25 million euros this year, intends to dethrone Mariage Freres, which has emerged as the champion French high-end tea. His credo: to succeed in the tea brands that Illy or Lavazza coffee in the. "There is no comparable success in the tea sector, said Sylvain Orebi, which imposed its colored metal boxes and does his decaffeinated tea Detox a bestseller. We very much rejuvenated the image of tea, with an affordable brand and shops where they can enter easily. "Positioning different from Mariage Freres with its servers in white gloves.

Kusmi now accelerating the creation of its network, focusing on the development of its own boutiques, alongside corners in department stores (BHV, Galeries Lafayette …) and selling fine foods and Monoprix. It has thus, according to our information, to rob the beard of his main competitor's future location on the Champs Elysees to open in July. Located at No. 71, between Nike and Ladurée, it will bring international visibility.  

Drinking tea

Her store of 250 m2 will include a tasting area called "tea bar" with pies, cakes and cookies made on site. "This will be the flagship for Kusmi foreshadowing what could be our shops in the future," said Sylvain Orebi. A concept that will also declined in the new shop on Avenue de l'Opera, which will open this summer.

His ambitions do not stop at uptown Paris. Kusmi also landed in malls, Saint-Lazare in Confluence (opening today) through Beaugrenelle, inaugurated next year. After Bordeaux, Toulouse and Strasbourg, it also provides a twenty openings in the province by 2013. Finally, he put on the outside the home to establish its reputation. It has just been chosen by the Barrière group to appear in the map of his breakfast. The international not currently represents only 30% of its turnover. But Kusmi goes fast. It could open this year in London and Milan. After New York, where he will open a second store this summer at the Plaza, it targets California.

The crisis has not dried up its funding sources. Sylvain Orebi, whose company has been profitable since two years, has raised € 7 million over three years via Audacia, the investment fund chaired by Charles Beigbeder, who owns 31% of Kusmi. After taking a 50% Laura Todd cookies via Orientis, the holding company co-owned with his brother, he wants to continue investing. He is looking for acquisitions in the fields of sweet delicacies, ice cream or cakes.

Jack Daniel's looking for acquisitions

The owner of Jack Daniel's is in better shape than ever. Not only are sales of Tennessee whiskey, the fifth alcohol brand in the world after Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Bacardi and Absolut, are distributed in the U.S., but exports and accelerate the sales of other brands of Brown-Forman, whose Finlandia premium vodka and tequila El Jimador, is still growing as fast.

In total, the U.S. group Brown-Forman is getting ready to buckle on April 30 its 2011-2012 fiscal year with sales up 4% on a comparable basis compared to last year, when they reached 3.4 billion dollars. Operating profit is expected to jump by 8% (855 million last year). "In this sector, where the top ten players realize only 25% of the world, the race for size is not necessarily the best strategy, says Le Figaro Paul Varga, his boss. With margins generated by the sale of spirits, medium-sized groups can succeed. "Listed on Wall Street, the group founded in 1870, whose heirs hold 175 two-thirds of the voting rights, is somehow anti -Pernod Ricard. The French, whose objective is to steal the place of Diageo spirits market, multiplies decade mega-acquisitions: Seagram, Allied Domecq, Absolut. He expects to have reduced its debt to pursue the quest for external growth.

A group without debts

The U.S., he does not caress such dreams of grandeur, seeming satisfied with his seventh place in the world rankings, just ahead of the Italian Campari. Its leaders and family shareholders are vigilant, however. They not only take care not to fall prey, but they remain on the lookout for acquisition opportunities all medium.

This is the group's strategy since Prohibition. From 1920 to 1933, Brown-Forman was one of four U.S. companies authorized to produce alcohol for medical use. He took the opportunity to redeem distilleries … Virtually no debt, it now has a debt capacity estimated at 4 billion. "We will add more vodka brands to expand our portfolio, especially in entry and mid-range," said Paul Varga. The skipper, who wishes to expand in Central and Eastern Europe in this segment precludes a "no comment" to questions about his possible interest in Sobieski vodka for sale by the Franco-Polish Belvedere ( Marie Brizard, William Peel cash advance loan…).

France, emerging country

Brown-Forman, confident in the potential of the worldwide whiskey category, is also interested in acquisitions of brands of scotch whiskey and irish, based on barley, while Kentucky bourbons and Tennessee whiskeys are composed of 51% corn.

He finally target acquisitions enabling it to accelerate the internationalization of its flagship brand Jack Daniel's. Redemptions of Finlandia (2000) and El Jimador (2007) enabled him to acquire distributors in Central and South America. The group now has distribution subsidiaries in ten countries. What less dependent on its partnerships with competitors where it does not have the critical size. In most cases, as in France, he confided to the marketing of its Bacardi bottles. Then he realized in 2001 over three quarters of its sales in the U.S., this market last year represented only 45% of its turnover.

Outside the U.S., Brown-Forman does not fight on the same land as Diageo and Pernod Ricard. "Our emerging markets are different from those of our European competitors, says Mark McCallum, commercial director of the group. We continue to build on the country they regard as mature, with the aim to gain market share in France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine. "However, China and Brazil, the group sets objectives in the medium and long term. "To impose on the Chinese market today is expensive. And the risk of counterfeiting is high. As Diageo and Pernod Ricard are not fighting, we prefer to go elsewhere, "said Paul Varga, who nevertheless seeks to buy a brand of Baiju, the more alcohol sold in the country

.

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Japanese whiskey is attracting more and more

If there are four or five years, Japanese whiskeys fell almost an anecdote, it is clear that the Japanese distilleries were located largely in the market for Liquor Stores. Of the four best whiskeys in the world, two are once more for the Japanese edition of the 2012 World Whiskies Awards, organized by Whisky Magazine. The setting was won in the categories best blended whiskey in the world by Taketsuru 17 years old Nikka from home, and in the category best single malt whiskey in the world with the Yamazaki 25 year old house Suntory.

The Japanese group Suntory is the origin of Japanese whiskeys, in the 1920s. It has two distilleries (Yamazaki and Hakushu) located in northern Japan, which develop blended and single malt whiskeys. The diversified industrial group also owns three Scottish distilleries. Its direct competitor, Nikka, a subsidiary of another giant, Asahi, came a little later (1952) in this segment. And also owns a distillery in Scotland. By themselves, these two houses share almost the entire market of Japanese whiskey world.

If the brand is more Nikka located on the French and European market, notably through the House of Whiskies, which has exclusive, Suntory is positioned more on the U.S. market. Thierry Benitah, CEO of the House of Whiskies, said: "The entry level and mid-range is slightly more expensive for Japanese whiskey over Scotch whiskey, but for more upscale products, including oldest, Japanese whiskey is cheaper, same quality. " It takes only 30 euros for a Japanese whiskey entry level (in comparison, one of the brands of Scotch whiskey sold in the world, Label 5, costs 12 euros). In amount in the range, Japanese whiskeys are between 150 and 650 euros, the price may even go up to 10,000 euros a bottle for a 50 years old.

France, the second consumer of Japanese whiskey

In 2010, according to the International Wine and Spirit Research (IWSR), it is consumed in the world 81 million liters of whiskey Japanese, representing 3 payday advance.2% market share of all whiskeys. Global consumption of whiskey, all confused, totaled nearly 2.7 billion liters. The United States are the largest importers of Japanese whiskey, with a volume of 5.2 million liters. France comes second with just under 3 million liters (2.9 million).

In 50 years, the French have adopted the whiskey. They are the biggest consumers of single malt Scotch whiskey, with 135 million bottles per year, or more than two bottles per person. In comparison, Americans consume 125 million bottles annually, depending on the portal Planetoscope.

Japanese whiskeys, more subtle and sweet

How to explain this craze for Japanese whiskey? Keinta Minari, head of the division of Suntory whiskey for France, gives some keys to this success: "One explanation lies in the style of Japanese whiskey, which is subtle and complex, where Scotch whiskey will be more strong and sturdy. "A view shared by Thierry Benitah of the House of Whiskies" Japanese whiskey is more accessible than the scotch in terms of taste. Unlike Scotch whiskeys, which have a slight bitterness on the finish, Japanese whiskeys receive a final grade soft, chewy and sweet "

According to Pierre Tissandier, head of the cellar Whisky Lodge in Lyon, and previously head of Diageo whiskeys, this development is surprising, "the Japanese whiskey differs from Scotch whiskeys including a search of the exotic, but also by a marketing and a highly developed packaging. " The Scottish distilleries would suffer a certain archaism, where Japanese whiskeys are more modern and stylish.

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World Bank: Obama wants Dr. Jim Kim

This choice is a surprise. A native of Korea, physician training, graduate of Harvard and Brown, Jim Yong Kim is not known in international financial circles. However it is in the world of health and development, particularly for his efforts against AIDS and tuberculosis. He specifically directed the Department to Fight against AIDS of the World Health Organization.

The management of the development institution is traditionally an American, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has always been attributed to a European. The odds of Jim Yong Kim selection by the board of directors of the bank amounted to the extent that the United States, the largest shareholder of the World Bank, has the support of European countries, Japan and many countries emerging.

Hours before the announcement by President Obama, South Africa had formally proposed that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigerian Finance Minister, and former World Bank director, succeeds Robert Zoellick, whose term as U payday lenders.S. President the bank comes to an end in late June. As at the choice of Christine Lagarde last June to head the IMF, rich countries have promised an emerging open and transparent process of selection that results in the designation of the most qualified candidate. Despite this commitment, developing countries find that their chances to win one of them are tiny. Their inability to agree on a single candidate is indeed an enormous handicap.

Jim Yong Kim is expected in the coming days begin a journey in the great capitals of the world to present his candidacy and convince shareholders of the World Bank of the correctness of its strategy to fight poverty and underdevelopment.

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Biotechs: France is trying to catch up

The Stock Exchange? Biotechs believe more than ever. The Lyon Adocia, revisiting existing drugs in order to increase efficiency, was introduced Feb. 20 on the stock market. It was followed by specialists in medical imaging, Eos Imaging, which lifted the passage 38 million, and Intrasense. DBV, focused on food allergies, will jump on March 29.

The biotechnology sector health (drugs created from living organisms) and medtechs (innovative medical devices) is still dreaming investors despite stock route more or less convincing. Carmat has not implemented its first artificial human heart but it is worth 490 million euros, up over 400% from its initial listing in 2010. Genfit, which is developing a diabetes drug can be marketed in 2019, took over 57% since January 1.

Less than 25 biotech companies listed in Paris

Less than 25 biotech and medtechs are listed in Paris. It's a bit more than in the creation of the Next Biotech Index in 2008. But their market capitalization weighs only 2.2 billion euros, far from the 4.7 billion euros at the time. The French biotechnology remains microscopic facing a global industry that weighs nearly 270 billion and the stock market rose nearly 15% in one year. A universe dominated by real heavyweights. Amgen, the American champion, worth 54 billion, Genzyme was acquired last year by Sanofi for $ 20 billion.

"France has completely missed the turn biotech thirty years ago. She gradually recovers from five to eight years, "says a pharmaceutical boss. No large company has, for now, emerged from French soil. But "the Hexagon biotech together weigh as heavy as the largest laboratories," said Andre Choulika, President of France Biotech. Nearly 280 biotech and medtechs use from 5000 to 6000 employees in the Hexagon. They develop over 270 products, primarily for human health, divided almost equally between drugs, diagnostic products and innovative medical devices.

But how many medicines will emerge? Fifteen products are already from the French biotech today, says France Biotech. The mucoadhesive buccal tablet Loramyc BioAlliance is. Cationorm for the symptoms of dry eye is another example. It is produced by Novagali, a biotech acquired in September 2011 by the Japanese Santen. But the vast majority of these companies still sells no products. The total turnover of some 20 listed biotech and active in health averaged just 112 million euros in 2010. The prize goes to BioAlliance, with 22.5 million sales. Yet medtechs fared rather better than biotech. Gestation of innovative medical equipment is often shorter and less random than drugs.

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Electric cars are trying to convince customers

For the second consecutive year, the price of the car of the year was awarded by a jury of European journalists in an electric car: the Chevrolet Volt, after the Nissan Leaf in 2011. The least we can say is that these awards recognize technology more than economic success. In the U.S., General Motors will suspend production for five weeks of its Volt. The U.S. has not elapsed in 7700 as last year, missing its target of 10,000 sales. Furthermore prohibitively expensive ($ 41,000 less $ 7,500 of assistance), the application has been hampered by a government investigation, while fires were reported several weeks after collisions. For its part, Nissan, whose activity has, indeed, was disrupted by the Japanese disaster, has sold only 22,000 Leaf in 2011 (including 2,000 in Europe). Figures he intends to double this year.

A drop of water compared to a global production

With tens of thousands of copies last year, this solution is a drop compared with a world production of 80 million cars. In France, only 2,630 electric cars were registered to individuals last year, representing 0.12% of the market.

After the electric Kangoo and Fluence, especially designed for professional fleets, Renault is launching his Twizy quadricycle, and fall, the Zoe, the spearhead of its range. The French put on the price of this car to democratize power: it will be offered at 15,700 euros (including the government bonus of 5,000 euros), which will be added monthly rental of the battery for 79 euros. 150,000 copies per year will be manufactured at Flins.

The group, which provides a market share of 10% for electricity in 2020, appears now more cautious about starting on a difficult European market. "We'll have to show persistence, even quiet. We do not know if the request will happen as quickly as desired. One thing is certain, the price of gasoline will continue to rise and, at a time, each billboard service station will become an advertisement for the electric vehicle, "predicted Carlos Tavares, head of Renault operational flexcheck cash advance.

Meanwhile, Zoe will reassure consumers that they are not likely to fail. For if this car has a range of 210 km certified, in real driving, it comes down to the summer and 150 km to 100 km in winter, with heating. This is why Renault is targeting commuters or provincial equipped with a garage, making every day from 40 to 50 km. The group considers that from 12,000 km per year over three years, it is more advantageous financially to own a Clio diesel Zoe.

Low self

Another obstacle, "in France, there is only one thousand charging points around, as he ought to have ten times more," said Thierry Koskas, director of Renault's electric cars.

Moreover, the Volt arrives this year in Europe as the Opel Ampera. "It will be interesting to see whether demand will be greater in Europe. But make no mistake, this is the first generation of the vehicle, we will need a second generation to continue to reduce its cost, "said Steve Girsky, vice president of General Motors.

Most other manufacturers are skeptical about the power. Toyota continues to focus on the hybrid, expanding its offering. "In 2011, we achieved 10% of our European volumes with hybrid versions. We expect this share to rise 14% this year, "said Didier Leroy, who started a small hybrid Yaris.

For its part, PSA Peugeot Citroën has invested on the hybrid diesel engine to power 3008, 508, DS5 and RXH. Only problem: these vehicles cost an average of 2500 euros more than the diesel version, including bonus of 2000 euros.

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European groups headwind against the carbon tax

The European carbon tax causes coughing sector of the European air. Corroborating sources, and six Airbus airlines are head wind against the tax for the European fight against the emission of carbon dioxide, which is theoretically in force since 1 January 2012. This tax, imposed on all companies operating in the EU whatever their nationalities, for a total of nearly 4300 companies, and would cost 705 million euros for 2012 those involved in the air around the world.

The aircraft manufacturer Airbus and the airlines British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, Air France, Iberia and Air Berlin have thus associated to "alert" on "economic consequences" of this tax, in letters to the heads of the French government, German, British and Spanish. French equipment Safran and German MTU would also be associated with this outcry.

These groups believe that the application of the tax threatens "inadmissible" for the sector as it could revive a trade war with China, but also with the United States and Russia, the Financial Times. The protagonists also challenge "the unilateral nature of this measure and require" the establishment of a general discussion with all stakeholders within the ICAO, "the Organization of International Civil Aviation, told a familiar with the matter told AFP.

In fact, China has threatened trade retaliation at the expense of Airbus, said Thursday the group EADS, parent of Airbus. Beijing could well cancel orders for 45 Airbus (10 A380 superjumbo and 35 long-haul A330) amounting to several billion dollars. The freeze order would represent a potential shortfall of $ 12 billion for Airbus, according to the catalog prices. More than 2000 jobs would be directly threatened by the Financial Times. But so far, the EU refuses to yield, saying Friday that it stands ready to respond to any discriminatory provision in Beijing.

Competitiveness: the opinions of four contractors

CLAUDE TAR: "I will lose market"

CEO of Ultralu, specializing in scaffolding, member of the movement Ethic.

"Since I started my business in 1988, I am facing problems due to the rigidity of employment. Like many entrepreneurs, I have suffered the brunt of the crisis. The shock was brutal since 2008 should be a year of strong expansion. I predicted a 30% increase in sales and I hired six people. In our business, it is necessary to train an employee for six months to make it operational.

The crisis caused a 20% drop in sales. The six people hired have become an unbearable burden for the company. I had to part with it. Unfortunately, no administrative delays allowed me to do that in 2009 when the company had posted a loss of 50,000 euros in 2008. A dismissal for economic reasons cost me 40,000 euros.

After having recovered in 2010, my company was again able to be increasing. So I could rehire taking a risk because nobody can be sure that a new crisis will not occur. I will not do. I decided to retain the current workforce by stabilizing my figure and therefore of losing markets.

I chose this solution because the bankers who supported me in 2008 and 2009 will not understand if I do not learn from previous years. I can not take the risk of disappearing. "

CHRISTOPHER Collignon: "Let the air companies'

COO call center IMA Technologies, a subsidiary of Inter Mutual Assistance. Member of the Young Business Leaders, it animates the ethics commission and good practices Medef 44.

"We manage with existing regulations. We strive to meet everyone's expectations respecting the law and to the extent that this does not hamper production. We allow people who want to work at 60% to do so. Half the members of the Executive Committee are women who have decided to work at 80%. We also set up the working time of three people who wanted to start their own business. Any record created a strange atmosphere. But it is not possible to work more to earn more. The law does not permit an employee to work ten hours more if desired. We must let air companies and employees so they can negotiate their working hours.

I regularly discuss this topic with other entrepreneurs. It is important that leaders speak truth with employee representatives. I have set up agreements tests. It is also important that people can choose the working time. Someone may need to work 35 hours at a time and 39 hours to another. Our needs are not the same at 20, 40 or 60. It requires both trust and be realistic and do not forget one reality: the first objective of the company is to generate profits. "

Stanislas de Bentzmann "Managers have to work longer"

Co-CEO of the IT services company Devoteam, vice president of the employers' association Growth Plus.

"Policy makers plan to increase taxation frameworks to solve the budget problem, while the subject lies in structuring the value creation for the country. French managers take eight weeks and a half of vacation per year on average, five weeks against the rest of Europe. It is possible for a factory employee working over 35 hours thanks to the tax exemption of overtime, but this flexibility can not be applied to frames. But they are the ones who drop out contracts that run factories.

This is not only problematic for the industry, it is also for services. Service companies who work in large groups on international markets, because of RTT among other things, higher production costs than their competitors German or Italian. We must change the rules and give companies the ability to adapt to customer needs. Feasible by allowing businesses to reach agreement directly with employees, who are winners on both sides. France can accelerate its dynamic economy and reduce its debts if managers are willing to work longer, at least for the next five years. "

JEAN-RENÉ BOIDRON: "Being able to depart from the law"

President of the DL Health software company, President of the Social Committee of Growth Plus.

"It is absurd to impose the same working time everywhere. The unraveling of 35 hours has its limits. To meet their particular situation, companies need to discuss with staff representatives on the duration of working time and if necessary within the law or an industrial agreement. It is a matter of survival for many companies in the services, on the verge of suffocation, and whose turnover is correlated with working time. In from 39 to 35 hours, these companies have lost up to 10% of their turnover and nearly as many results. The rise in working time is their only option. For others, the decline in working hours can help through a difficult – while giving assurances to employees who must find more than their implementation, once the recovery of the acquired business.

These solutions are only possible with a quality relationship between an employer and its representatives. Otherwise I would have filed for bankruptcy in my previous company in 2001. Attitudes have evolved. Since 2008, the conventional termination showed that one could consider an employer and an employee adult enough to solve a problem. Have confidence in the company of actors to find solutions when it comes to saving jobs. "