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4
Societal indicators
Fair Business Practices
The lobbying activities of Universal Music Group are carried out mostly
through professional associations of which the group is a member at
global (IFPI) and local levels (such as BPI in the United Kingdom, SNEP in
France, ABPD in Brazil, RIIA in Japan, PPCA/ARIA in Australia, BVMI in
Germany and BREIN in the Netherlands).
p
p
In the United States, all companies that engage in lobbying are legally
required to file quarterly reports with the United States Congress that
disclose their expenses relating to lobbying activities. The filings –
which are completed by UMG’s Public Policy and Government Affairs
Business Unit in consultation with an expert ethics counsel, include
amounts spent on UMG employees, outside consultants, and trade
associations.
p
p
UMG lobbying activities focus mainly on drawing attention to the
issue of intellectual property rights and combating illegal content.
For example, UMG was a key driver in the IFPI campaign on the topic
of the European Union directive that establishes a term extension
of copyright, from 50 to 70 years. This will provide longer term
revenue for artists and record companies as well as providing a
new revenue stream for session musicians as older recordings are
released digitally. This measure serves and protects cultural diversity
in Europe, allowing the recording industry to maintain its level of
investment in new talent.
GVT raises awareness among its managers to represent the interests
of the group in an ethical and responsible manner, in accordance with
Brazilian regulations concerning the professional ethics of public servants
(Law No. 8,027 / 90 – Code of Ethics of public employees; Decree
No. 1,171 / 94 – Code of Professional Ethics of the civil public servants of
the federal executive branch) and the fight against corruption.
■
■
4.5.3. Responsible Communications and Marketing
Vivendi’s subsidiaries promote responsible communications and
marketing, under codes, charters or special provisions.
Accordingly, this commitment is incorporated into several sections of
the Canal+ Group Ethics Charter (particularly those relating to business
ethics and environmental protection). Furthermore, in 2014, Canal+ Group
signed “La Belle Competition” Charter proposed by the Advertisers Union
in order to promote transparency and fairness in calls for tenders issued
by advertising companies.
In France, adverts are reviewed internally by Canal+ Group’s Legal
departments. Externally, radio and television adverts are submitted
to the
Autorité de régulation professionnelle de la publicité
or ARPP
(the French authority for the professional regulation of advertising).
Moreover, the ongoing digitalization of customer relations
throughout the group (dematerialized contracts made available
in France and, more recently, in French overseas departments and
territories; “e-voucher
”
dematerialized subscription renewal system
available in Senegal, Togo and Vietnam, etc.) considerably limits the
environmental impact linked to paper consumption.
All the companies in UMG comply with its Code of Conduct. Most of them
have set up an in-house committee in charge of validating all advertising
and communications campaigns before launching them to ensure that
they meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct.
In addition, UMG has chosen a media agency that is committed through
a Code of Ethics to practicing responsible marketing
p
p
In Spain, whenever contests or promotional activities target children
below the age of 18, UMG proposes detailed general conditions
specifying, if necessary, the need for parental approval.
p
p
In the United Kingdom, ethical practices in the advertising based
area of data collection have been discussed between UMG and the
stakeholders in the Internet Advertising Bureau.
In Brazil, GVT follows the rules of the National Self-Regulating
Advertising Council concerning the ethical standards applicable to
advertising, especially with respect to young people. The Council bases
itself on the principle that advertising must contribute to creating
responsible citizens. Hence advertisements for products targeting young
people must contribute to good relations between young people and
their parents and teachers, encourage responsible behavior and must not
urge them to consume the product by implying that this will improve the
consumer’s situation.
Number of interventions by the CSA (warning - indictment
- sanction) and measures taken in response
GRI
UNGC
OECD
Scope covered
G4-PR7
-
VIII.7
Canal+ Group
2014
C+G
1
N.B.
New indicator in 2014, no feedback for 2013
For all its channels together, Canal+ Group received only one warning
from the CSA.
31
Non-Financial Indicators Handbook 2014