Marketing

The 2009 Modern Responsibility Report presents Modern Times Group’s (MTG) effort to embed corporate responsibility across its broadcasting and media operations while navigating the aftermath of the 2008‑09 financial crisis. The report’s thesis is that a structured, multi‑pillar responsibility programme can coexist with commercial growth, even as the group expands its channel portfolio and geographic reach.

In 2009 MTG recorded net sales of SEK 14.2 billion and launched three new channels—TV3 Puls, Prima COOL and Viasat Hockey—while completing a major restructuring of its Bulgarian assets. Despite revenue growth, operating income fell to a loss of SEK 1.4 billion and basic earnings per share turned negative at ‑30.86 SEK. The responsibility framework, introduced in 2004, is now governed by the CEO, board directors, a central committee and local “Green Ambassadors,” with KPIs, internal audits and external consultancy guiding progress. Targets for 2010 include broader KPI coverage, reduced carbon emissions and enhanced stakeholder communication across business, broadcast‑marketing, colleague and community dimensions.

Employee engagement proved strong: 86 % of the 2,906 staff across 38 national markets completed the annual survey, 88 % expressed enthusiasm for their work and 90 % embraced the company’s three lead words. Gender balance approached parity overall (52 % male, 48 % female) though managerial levels remained skewed (63 % male, 37 % female). Internal recruitment accounted for 40 % of hires.

The carbon footprint for 2009 amounted to roughly 13 000 t CO₂e across 19 countries, split evenly between facilities and office‑supply material use, with an intensity of 4.2 t CO₂e per employee (0.9 t per MSEK turnover). ISO 14001 certification for the Swedish radio division and energy‑efficient headquarters illustrate concrete mitigation steps. Partnerships with WWF and Sweden’s BLICC, together with expanded carbon‑footprint audits, underscore MTG’s commitment to environmental stewardship within the

Modern Times Group’s Modern Responsibility programme, launched in 2004, is presented as a strategic framework for leveraging entertainment to create social and environmental value across the company’s global operations. The initiative is positioned as core to MTG’s mission to “maximise the power of entertainment,” with responsibility articulated through five measurable pillars: community, environment, colleagues, broadcasting standards, and marketing.

In 2008 the group reached 125 million viewers in 30 countries, operating 70 brands across television, radio, online retail and production. Financial performance showed net sales rising to SEK 13.2 billion and operating income to SEK 2.6 billion, while basic earnings per share more than doubled to SEK 43.25. Employee data indicate an average workforce of 2 810, with 35 % female representation, a 22 % turnover rate and 461 training days delivered to 46 % of staff. Community engagement generated 78 million SEK of donated airtime and raised 56 million SEK for charities, while environmental actions reduced office energy use by 28 % relative to national standards and produced a total carbon footprint of 4 223 tonnes CO₂ (3.0 t per employee), calculated under the Greenhouse Gas Protocol with external verification.

Stakeholder governance is overseen by senior management, a dedicated coordinator and a Modern Responsibility Committee, supported by local ambassadors in each market. Reporting draws on internal data, carbon accounting from Tricorona Climate Partner, and regular stakeholder feedback through surveys and focus groups. The 2008 snapshot underscores MTG’s expanding footprint, its commitment to ethical broadcasting, and its ambition to deepen responsibility reporting in subsequent years.