The controversy could not come at a worse. On the eve of the IPO of Facebook, advertisers have begun to question the effectiveness of ads on Facebook. These are the basic economic model of social network, which is preparing to raise more than $ 16 billion in stock.

The automaker General Motors has announced it was stopping its advertising spending on Facebook, said the Wall Street Journal. This is a budget of 10 million that will evaporate from the platform. GM plans to continue to promote its brands on Facebook, but particularly by exploiting its free services, like his fan page.

It was a risk contemplated by Facebook as a preparatory document for the IPO, filed with the policeman American markets. But it could weigh on growth prospects of Facebook, if other advertisers were to make the same choice.

But a few hours after GM's announcement, another U.S. auto giant has responded, defending the ads on Facebook. "All that matters is performance. Our Facebook ads work when they are combined, strategically, with attractive content and innovation, "the group said Ford on Twitter.

The marketing director of Ford, interviewed by Forbes magazine, believes that we should not "be considered as a simple Facebook ad network," which is broadcast on the same banner ads elsewhere. Before conceding that "it is still early days and measurement criteria are not set to 100%."  

Other observers have called on advertisers to be cautious before max out General Motors: "We do not know why GM commercials have been no results," said Tom Skotidas and founder of an agency marketing to social networks.

One explanation could be introduced by the recent change in its presentation of Facebook pages and profiles, with the launch of the Journal ("Timeline"). The counseling agencies that had established communication strategies based on Facebook tabs and landing pages have in fact seen their recommendations become obsolete overnight.

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As promised, the outer envelope of the future Jean-Bouin has already – in miniature – the air of Bird's Nest, the Beijing Olympic Stadium built for the 2008 Olympics. The enclosure doors of 20,000 seats, which will house the games of rugby players of Stade French ("exiles" for the moment Charléty) from the 2013-2014 season, were opened Thursday for the first route point site with the Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe, the club president, Thomas Savare, and most players, curious to get a glimpse of their new lair. Everyone has been noted that the bleachers and steelwork is almost complete, while laying the panels cover the roof and the front is moving fast. Everything should be completed by March 2013.

"With a stage like this, it will be champions of France and Europe," commented Bertrand Delanoe. "This tool can only make us grow economically and sportingly, it will also allow us to more easily attract the best players," has for its part welcomed Thomas Savare.

"A work of art"

Rodrigo Roncero, the mainstay of Argentina, who will retire at the end of the season, it will be "the best rugby stadium in France and perhaps even in Europe." Captain and figurehead of the French stage, Pierre Rabadan is on him "great to have a place where almost everything – weight room, gymnasium, offices, restaurant, etc.. – Will be consolidated. "

Conceived as "a work of art" by the architect Rudy Ricciotti, the reconstruction of Jean-Bouin will cost a whopping 149 million euros. The price – considered exorbitant by the objectors – to equip the Paris team a tool worthy of his ambitions. "The old stadium, built in 1925, no longer met the requirements of comfort and safety: dilapidated changing rooms, lack of functionality of local medical and space news," explains a representative of the City. Public reception, too, was now outdated. "The capacity was 7,705 seats (12,000 counting standing room, Ed) of which only covered 4376, ticket sales and refreshments were in portables, there was no housing for the partners and the track athletics away the audience of players, "says the City. Much inconvenience to join soon be overtaken.

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This is the story of an Alsatian deputy mayor, Eric Straumann, who, wishing to save a supermarket brand of monumental and illegal blocks all the mayors of France who want to limit the display advertising in their municipality. Summoned by the prefect to remove the acronym which stands Cora to 17 meters above the campaign Husain (1600 inhabitants), the elected UMP has decided to amend the second law of the Grenelle del'environnement on the billboard said "outside business card templates." Include: large panels and signs disfiguring number of entries in cities.

"I have a large area with a large sign that does not bother anyone,

The sign of Cora Hussen.

Nicolas Sarkozy Knights principle of rent. Asked about the German model in this regard, the president candidate is that this is "a good idea." "I take it back. It does not block the rent but a framework. This is why it is interesting. I will apply, "he vowed in an interview published Monday in Current Woman.

In the mouth of the president candidate, unless the idea is new in that it looks. On 2 February, he said already "think" in a measure inspired by the German model. Across the Rhine, a tenant can attack the homeowner if the rent is 20% higher than the market price. The entourage of Nicolas Sarkozy said he had not yet decided the question whether, in France, the initiative would be left to the tenant as in Germany or if the 20% ceiling would be required automatically to owners.

At the campaign headquarters of Nicolas Sarkozy, it ensures that the President-candidate has not changed sides. Is depressed and the socialist proposal: "This is a measure similar to the 1948 Act (the rent freeze) and it is not the German system," argued an associate of the president candidate quoted by Reuters. "What is a priority for us is not to discourage the development of housing supply, that would surely cause a rent freeze," he added.

"Everything and its opposite"

Francois Hollande camp was quick to qualify this statement of complete reversal. "On housing, Nicolas Sarkozy has said anything and everything in five years. After the 'all owners' roadmap of its policy since 2007, he rediscovered that there are tenants in France, they pay rents too expensive and they live badly, "reacted Repentin Thierry, head of the pole housing and urban policy team of the socialist candidate.

The program promises Francois Hollande "by law to oversee the amounts of rent for the first rental or relocation" in areas where prices are "excessive." But little else. Prices are set by local observatories rents and leases new concern. Especially, the measure would be "transitory", until the market relaxes, explains Thierry Repentin in the newspaper Le Monde on Saturday.

Friday, the benchmark rents (IRL) has increased by 2.24% yoy in the first quarter 2012, slightly less than inflation (2.3% yoy in March). Homeowners can increase to the same extent the rents of their tenants during the lease. However, the Observatory Clamor noted a slight drop in rents charged to new tenants (-0.1%).

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Airbus partners with Boeing. This is not a fiction but rather the reality since the last Summit Aviation held in Geneva in late March. On this occasion, the two rivals always have also announced their association with the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer to develop the use of biofuels. The day before, Airbus had announced to produce research-based biofuel … eucalyptus. A plant that will join other plants already used as a fuel, such as camelina, jatropha, algae, or even coconut. "We conduct research to develop sustainable aviation. So we decided, in collaboration with the airline Virgin Australia, to establish a sustainable chain of biofuel production in Eucalyptus in Australia for use in aeronautics, "said Frederic Eychenne, project manager new energy Airbus.  

Grown on arid land, the mallee, a species of eucalyptus, will be harvested and crushed every three to six years. The resulting biomass is then converted into hydrocarbon fuel can be used for airplanes. Through a pyrolysis process, the mallee is then transformed. "Overall, this is to burn biomass without oxygen (through a chemical process), to extract a basic product that will eventually be processed to obtain biofuel. He will then have to mix it with kerosene 'fossil' of 50% up to use it. Indeed, the chemical composition of biofuels does not currently use 100% for aircraft "Frederick develops Eychenne.

Boeing converges in the same direction Airbus

For its part, Boeing also aims to accelerate the commercialization of environmentally friendly fuels, accounting for 1,500 passenger flights on biofuel made during the last two years. Richard Mills, spokesman for Boeing on issues of biofuels in Europe, said: "Today, biofuels reduce carbon emissions in partnership with airlines. Overall, governments are beginning to express their interest and support efforts, which is essential to help us achieve our goal: that flights 1% biofuel use on average by 2015. "…. ….

The aircraft manufacturer is also studying, as part of its research program, the possibilities of using alcohol as fuel.

Biofuels more expensive than kerosene, lack of industry

Philippe Novelli, project manager at ONERA, the French aerospace equivalent of NASA, has also led the European study SWAFEA (Sustainable Way for Alternative Fuel and Energy Aviation), on the issue of biofuels in aviation paperless payday loans. He said by 2020, the processes under development are expected to be pure biofuels for aviation. Philippe Novelli adds: "To date, due to the lack of real industrial production, airlines pay biofuels about four times more expensive than kerosene. The prospects for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, however, are considerable: up to 85% for the best performing sectors such as BTL (Biomass to Liquid) produced from lignocellulose. "However, the obtaining of significant emission reductions of greenhouse gas emissions requires precautions regarding the conditions of biomass production, as outlined in the specialist ONERA.

Fuels in search of a certification

To date, there are two processes for receiving the seal of biofuels aviation authorities, ASTM International and the FAA: hydrotreated vegetable oils and synthetic fuels from biomass. Eucalyptus does not yet part of this approach where aircraft manufacturers support new biofuel for approval.

Side of engine (Saffron, Rolls Royce, General Electric or Pratt & Whitney), there is to date no formal terms of biofuels, in the sense that they are compatible with existing systems. Indeed, all biofuels are "drop-in", that is to say fully compatible with conventional reservoirs, which does not necessitate the development of new types of engines.

Steadily over the last ten years, civil aviation accounts for 2.7% of global carbon emissions, far behind the automotive industry, which accounts for 52%. The challenge is to meet the requirements set by the EU to all transport, including the requirement to use a minimum of 10% biofuels by 2020.

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Against finance, but not against the big bosses. The Socialist candidate for president, Francois Hollande, has reassured business leaders of the CAC 40, in an interview in Paris Matchpubliée Thursday. He was lampooned in mid-February, their salary increases "of 36% on average in 2010."

As we approach the elections, it has softened its tone. "We will need all the forces for the country's recovery. Therefore, in the aftermath of the presidential election, I will convene the CAC 40 companies, although many of their leaders will not vote for me, he says. I tell them: "You are the spearhead of the French economy. We need you and you need the state. We face together the challenge of recovery of France "."

The Socialist candidate was told by the president of MEDEF, Laurence Parisot, France 2 on Thursday, that the vocation of the employers' association was "to work with any government whatever." Tenors Socialist Party had in fact accused of campaigning for the incumbent president Nicolas Sarkozy free business cards.

Francois Hollande tried several times to reassure the campaign finance and management. Visiting London, and then he gave himself to enemy "the world of finance," he said at the City he was not "aggressive" and that n ' there was "nothing to fear" if elected.

Still, the Socialist candidate wants to increase the effective tax rate of 35% in large groups and, among other things, against the practice of stock options. "France seems to bring out the multinationals," said Denis Kessler, CEO of Scor, quoted by The Economist. For the second consecutive week, the weekly British Liberal lampooned the socialist project to tax at 75% marginal bracket the higher incomes of over one million euros.

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Its facade that gives pride to the larch and its roof like helium-filled, the shopping center that opened Wednesday in Lyon in the new district of Confluence is not like normal plants for sale. Nevertheless, this shopping venue which has 102 stores spread across 53,000 square meters will have to meet quite a challenge. Prove that at the merchant web booming and consumption lowered, the formula is not exceeded. Find its place in a commercial landscape Lyon already quite saturated with 267 shops including La Part Dieu and 85 stores in Ecully fifteen minutes by car. Show that a new center can succeed while the latest openings, especially the Millennium in Paris in 2011 – are not successful.  

To top it off, the latest Unibail is located in a brand new neighborhood with 10,000 new residents already … but where Lyonnais have not yet used to come. A context that does not prevent Guillaume Poitrinal, CEO of Unibail to found great hopes on Confluence. "After three or four years, this center should achieve a turnover of 200 to 250 million with seven to eight million visitors," said he. For comparison, the center of Nice Cap 3000, considered one of the most efficient outside the Paris region reached 450 million euros in annual sales.

Apple Store in gondola

To take his bet, Unibail, which is the leading commercial centers in Europe, here applies the recipe that made its success elsewhere. A large dose of strings prevalent but unavoidable (Zara, Etam, C & A, Grand Optical, Franck Provost …), a pinch of signs that create events (Apple Store, Hollister, California clothing brand of Abercrombie & Fitch) and several newcomers in France and the Spanish brand apparel SuiteBlanco Specialist Portuguese decoration Loja do Gato Preto guaranteed online personal loans. In addition, it adds some local brands such as qualitative Cellerier catering, library Decitre Galix or shoemaker. Obviously, there are a hypermarket (Carrefour one) but small (4500 m). However, there is no distributor of home appliances or TV-type brown goods and computers. No trace either of stores that sell CDs or DVDs. "It's a choice: Today, consumers buy these products online," said Romain-Lavignie Molho, director of the Lyon Confluence.  

Instead, Unibail has developed the leisure part: the second floor is a multiplex with 14 theaters but also a climbing wall, spa and restaurant offers a larger than usual. Of fast food like McDonald's, Starbucks coffee as well as the more upscale chains such as Italian or American Fuxia Razowski. Moreover, to make shopping more enjoyable, Unibail has treated the architecture of the place. Part of the center is open air, in the other part, the transparent roof lets plenty of light, and in public areas, natural ventilation avoids air conditioning, inconsistent with the principles of sustainable development . An approach designed by architect Jean-Paul Viguier, known for directing Heart Defense, the largest office complex in Europe, located in the business district. The coming months will tell whether these efforts will restore the taste of consumers to buy badly shaken by the crisis.

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Two figures sum up the vise where is Spain: 27.3 billion euros to make cuts in the 2012 budget, equivalent to about the burden of Spanish debt this year, namely 28.8 billion. The "most austere budget of democracy", according to Minister of Finance, is primarily designed to reward creditors, to recover "trust" markets. Since the presentation of the general budget last Friday, the heavyweights of government do not hide their discomfort. "The situation is limited," says the finance minister, Cristobal Montoro, while the public debt of Spain will increase from 68.5% of GDP in 2011 to 79.8% in 2012, its highest level for twenty -two years.

A lose-lose situation

The leader of the Conservative government, Mariano Rajoy, has been a little further on Monday during a speech to executives of his party. "If you do not pay back, nobody's ready again. It is not an academic exercise. Everyone knows what happened to some members of the European Union. For that one you must finance that we have confidence in you, in your ability to repay. This is what concerns us. "The allusion to Greece, Ireland and Portugal, within the scope of a plan to help Europe and the IMF, is barely concealed.

The Minister of Economy Luis de Guindos, drove the nail in an article published Tuesday by The Wall Street Journal. "From a fiscal perspective, the government faces a lose-lose situation. If you do not reduce the budget enough, the markets penalize you. But if you go too far, markets can also penalize you, "he said.

Reform of labor law applied

The dangers of austerity needed to restore the credibility of the accounts, but perilous for growth, are denounced by long-time economists. No minister, however, had also clearly expressed his dismay at this square the circle.

The government is now ready to laying bare the gravity of the situation. It is to accept unprecedented budget cuts, while unemployment continues to rise: 39,000 people lost their jobs in March, the first month of implementation of the reform of labor law, revealed Tuesday that the services of employment. A perilous exercise, the same day that unemployment figures are published, the executive announced that the funding policy for employment is reduced by 21.3%.

From the details of the budget presented Tuesday, the departments will have their expenses down 16.9% on average. A figure that masks important disparities. Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, for example, will accept reduced funding by 43.6%. At the other end of the chain, the Interior Ministry's efforts will be limited to 4.3%. Montoro said Tuesday its three priorities: "the deficit, the deficit and the deficit." Growth, she will wait.

Portugal: no second rescue, said Brussels

The reforms adopted by Portugal to consolidate its public finances are on track and the country should be able to borrow again in the markets in 2013, as planned, said Tuesday the Commission européenne.Le Portugal benefited from a bailout of 78 billion euros over three years allowed by the EU and the International Monetary Fund after seeing its rate bonds climb to an unsustainable level of debt for the country, whose growth is affected by a low competitiveness. This aid package was not fully reassured investors, some fearing that Lisbon does not follow the way of Greece requesting a new bailout that could mean losses for creditors of the private sector.

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