Proximedia elected ‘L’Entreprise de l’Année 2009’

Brussels, 19 October 2009 – 7 PM. Proximedia is the winner of the fourteenth edition of the ‘L’Entreprise de l’Année’. ‘L’Entreprise de l’Année’ is organised by Ernst & Young, in partnership with L’Echo and BNP Paribas Fortis. The company Proximedia was chosen as the winner from five companies nominated this year: Bruyerre, Chaussures Maniet, Paprika, Proximedia and Vision IT Group.

Proximedia meets all the Internet needs of its customers, from micro-companies to multinationals. The group’s activities include the infrastructure, hosting and internet access but also the design and production of web applications, websites, themed web TV and company films. In parallel, Proximedia offers marketing and communication solutions, such as media plans, online games, publicity, etc.

Fabrice Wuyts, Managing director of Proximedia, was presented the award by the Minister of Finance Didier Reynders.

14th edition of a prestigious award 

This is the fourteenth year that Ernst & Young has organised the election of the French-speaking edition of ‘L’Entreprise de l’Année’ in Belgium. In 1996, Ernst & Young began honouring companies that stood out by their spectacular growth and excelled in terms of entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, openness to the world, strategy and perseverance. “’L’Entreprise de l’Année’ is an honorary title that is conferred on the top performing companies. In this period of economic crisis, it is particularly exceptional to be distinguished by performance. This shows that a company like Proximedia is sufficiently dynamic, innovative and flexible to achieve its objectives and to ensure its permanence", says Philippe Pire, a partner at Ernst & Young.

Proximedia succeeds FIB Belgium (2008) Amtoys/Noukie’s (2007), Concept et Forme (2006), Callataÿ et Wouters (2005), Pharmadeal (2004), Euroscreen (2003), I.R.I.S. Group (2002), Eurogentec (2001), EVS Broadcast Equipment (2000), IBA (1999), Ariane II (1998), Moorkens Projects (1997) and DB Associates (1996). The Jury awards Proximedia In order to be a candidate for ‘L’Entreprise de l’Année’, several strict fundamental criteria must be met. Candidate companies are evaluated in light of these selection criteria, a quantitative and qualitative assessment is then carried out by Ernst & Young. After examination of these complete files, five companies were finally nominated as finalists. In the end, the members of the jury selected Proximedia as ‘L’Entreprise de l’Année 2009’.

"Despite the financial crisis, Proximedia was able to impress us by its very fast growth since its creation in 1998. The technological company from Brussels was already nominated for this prestigious award in 2004, so the constancy of the success of Proximedia, notably through launching new activities but also thanks to one of its basic products – the Internet service – that is suffering much less from the crisis than ‘paper’ format advertising”, emphasises the chairman of the jury Jean Stéphenne.

"The managing director of Proximedia has managed to bring together a strong management team which ensures the success of the company. The business model implemented guarantees some financial permanence thanks to contracts signed today and that continue to produce revenue in the coming years", concludes Jean Stéphenne.

‘L’Entreprise de l’Année 2009’: Proximedia 

PROXIMEDIA - Brussels Established in 1998 by Fabrice Wuyts and Eric Glachant, the Proximedia group meets all the Internet needs of its customers, from micro-companies to multinationals. The activities, realised by its 300 strong workforce, are divided into 4 divisions, starting with infrastructure, and internet access. A second division is dedicated to designing and producing websites and web applications. Thirdly there is the production of video for company films or themed Web TV. The fourth division focuses on marketing and communication activities, such as media plans, online games, advertising, etc. Listed on the Brussels Euronext stock exchange, Proximedia realised a turnover of around 29.8 million Euro in 2008.

Contact:
Fabrice Wuyts (Managing director) - f.wuyts@proximedia.be  - 02/349 23 23 www.proximedia.com