CBS Outdoor International is restructuring its operations in France, in line with a global vision to grow the business internationally.
The company has hired Emmanuel Schalit as Président du Directoire, based in Paris and reporting to Clive Punter, International CEO. Schalit will sit on the International Executive Board along with the international central team, and other market heads.
CBS Outdoor International is a global advertising business, with assets spanning transport, billboard and retail media properties. Shalit will oversee operations in France where the business holds contracts to manage advertising sites at airports, metro systems, street furniture and billboards with a range of inventory, that includes traditional poster media, as well as digital and interactive media.
He will be responsible for building upon the international strategy to spur revenue growth through organic and new market development, with specific investment and growth targets.
Schalit, who is a French national, has an international professional background with entrepreneurial experience in the US at Vivendi Universal, and most recently general management responsibility in the publishing sector in France.
Clive Punter commented; “We see significant opportunities in outdoor, particularly given changes in the non-commercial TV environment in France. We plan to capitalise on this environment and leverage our international capabilities in France. Emmanuel brings valuable entrepreneurial and management experience, and is as hungry as we are to proactively expand our operations.”
Emmanuel Schalit background:
Schalit joins from La Martiniere Groupe, a leader in illustrated book publishing where he was General Manager, Chief Operating Officer, with responsibility for Euros 270 million revenue, and a member of the board of directors, with direct oversight of all company operations including foreign operations in the US, UK, Germany, Canada and Switzerland.
At La Martiniere he initiated a company turnaround, with strong improvement in net income and cash flow after 12 months, and made a number of structuring and operational improvements.
Prior to La Matiniere Schalit worked for Vivendi Universal from 1995 – 2003, rising through the ranks from the gaming to the publishing division. He was Senior Vice President at Vivendi Universal, School Publishing Division in Paris, France and had global responsibility for Vivendi’s School Division with activity in the US, Latin America and Europe, the second largest K-12 publisher worldwide.
Previously, Emmanuel was Chief Executive Officer Flipside, Inc., Vivendi’s online games division. There he had global oversight and responsibility for the US and European businesses. Schalit spearheaded Vivendi’s online games strategy, resulting in a worldwide leadership position achieved in 16 months. With up to 13 million unique visitors in the US, Flipside was the largest entertainment destination on the internet at the end of 2001.
Schalit has a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Toulouse, and a Master’s in engineering from the Ecole Polytechnique, Paris. He has also completed the Executive Education Programme at Harvard Business School.