Wyser-Pratte Gets Full Support of ISS/RiskMetrics in His Bid To Improve Governance and Corporate Stewardship at Lagardere

NEW YORK, April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Franco-American Financier and Activist Guy Wyser-Pratte noted today that ISS Proxy Advisory Services/RiskMetrics Group, among the world's premier proxy advisory services, had issued its report on the April 27, 2010 AGM/EGM of Lagardere SCA (MMB.PA) recommending full support of his two resolutions.  RiskMetrics recommends shareholders vote FOR the election of Mr. Wyser-Pratte to the Supervisory Board of Lagardere and vote FOR his proposal to modify the limited partnership with shares structure.

In its analysis RiskMetrics states: "....we believe that a review of strategic alternatives is warranted at Lagardere, and Wyser-Pratte could add a shareholder focus on that task." They further state: "We agree with his criticism of the limited partnership structure and believe that Wyser-Pratte's election would send the message that limited partners want a different structure." In conclusion, they note: "....that the presence of the dissident [Wyser-Pratte] on the MMB board would likely prove beneficial to long-term shareholder value."

Mr. Wyser-Pratte stated, "I am gratified by receiving the support of RiskMetrics, a highly respected, independent voice and recognized leader in promulgating good corporate governance standards.  I urge all shareholders to voice their displeasure with a management and board that are unresponsive to shareholders and stewards of dismal stock performance by voting for my election to the supervisory board and the modification of the limited partnership with shares structure."

In response to the Company's call to reject the Wyser-Pratte resolutions, Mr. Wyser-Pratte said, "No one should be surprised by Arnaud Lagardere's call to reject my resolutions so he may continue his entrenchment and mismanagement of our Company.  Nor should anyone be fooled by the smoke screen created by the Company's statement of needing to affirm my ownership of shares.  I have provided this information previously, this matter is not in question, it reeks of a further attempt to manipulate the corporate machinery."

Shareholders are urged to vote FOR Company resolutions 1-10, 12 and 14, and FOR Wyser-Pratte resolutions A and B. Shareholders are urged to vote AGAINST Company resolutions 11 & 13.  In doing so you will vote in favor of Mr. Wyser-Pratte's two-resolutions and all of the Company's, with the exception of the election to the Supervisory Board of Raymond H. Levy and Jean-Claude Magendie.

SOURCE Wyser-Pratte Management Co., Inc.