MANUEL MIRAT is named new chief executive officer of PRISA

Manuel Mirat has been appointed CEO of PRISA. He replaces José Luis Sainz, who has reached an agreement with the company to bring forward the completion of his contract to next September as part of the succession plan developed by the Board of Directors and which was disclosed at the shareholders' meeting last year. The appointment of Manuel Mirat, until now CEO of El País and PRISA Noticias, was approved today by the Board of Directors of the Group at the proposal of the Executive Chairman, Juan Luis Cebrián, and following a favorable report from the Committee on Corporate Governance and Appointments. The appointment will be effective from September. In the interim, Mirat and Sainz will work closely together, under the supervision of the Executive Chairman, to define a new organization chart to ensure that the Group's businesses continue to successfully develop their plans.
 
José Luis Sainz has led the company's businesses over the past three years, a period in which PRISA has regained profitability, has met its financial commitments in advance, and substantially reduced costs, all while maintaining the lead and prestige enjoyed by all the Group’s companies. In his speech to the General Meeting, Juan Luis Cebrián praised Sainz’s work and professionalism, and said that he hoped he could count on him for future projects.
 
Cebrián explained that Manuel Mirat has been key in coordinating the transformation of PRISA, championed by El País. His profile as an innovative expert and visionary is behind the decision that he replace the outgoing CEO. Continuity and change are the two words that perhaps best summarize the new style that Mirat brings with this appointment. Continuity in the excellence of our products, which are leaders in all sectors. And change in the face of the necessary technological innovation, and new management and business models that we must embrace
 
Manuel Mirat (Cáceres, 1970) holds a degree in Law, and completed the Senior Management Program (PADE) and the Management Development Program (PDD) at the IESE. Mirat began his career at Arthur Andersen and joined PRISA in 1997, where he held a range of corporate posts, including head of the Finance Department. In 2004, he was appointed CEO of PRISACOM to lead the digital development of the Group, overseeing transformation projects for the different brands: El País, Cadena SER, 40 Principales, As and Cinco Días. 

In March 2009 he was appointed chief operating officer of Sogecable, and in December of that year he became Managing Director of CANAL +, in charge of sales, marketing and new business development. In 2014 he was appointed CEO of El País and PRISA Noticias, a position he has held to this date.

Over the course of this period, PRISA Noticias (which includes El País, AS, Cinco Días, El Huffington Post and Meristation) has expanded its business and taken major steps towards digital transformation. El País is now a global multimedia newspaper, with well developed audiovisual and interactive formats. It has strengthened its presence in Latin America, where much of its news teams are based, and has launched an edition in Brazil in Portuguese.

According to financial results published by the company, PRISA Noticias closed 2016 with a positive EBITDA of 15.2 million euros, double that of the previous year. The growth of digital advertising and event revenues have offset declines in traditional advertising and digital formats now account for more than 40% of advertising revenue in the division.