Ubisoft 2012 Annual Report Download - page 30

Management Report
2012
25
in North America. The new case, which is made of 100% recycled polypropylene and is called
“ecoTech,” was launched with Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction® for PCs in April 2010.
1.4.3.3 IDENTIFYING AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT FOR SOCIAL CHANGE TO
SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
TERRITORIAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACT OF UBISOFT’S ACTIVITIES
The Group measures its territorial, economic and social impact in terms of regional development and
job creation. For example, The Toronto studio created more than 100 jobs in 2011/2012 and intends to
create 80 more new jobs in financial year 2013 to achieve its target of 800 jobs created in 10 years.
The Singapore studio created nearly 80 jobs in 2011 and aims to create 50 more in 2012/2013. Since
the end of 2011, the Group has opened a new studio in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) with a goal
to create more than 100 jobs in the region within 5 years.
LINKS WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS (ASSOCIATIONS, TRAINING INSTITUTIONS, LOCAL
POPULATIONS, ETC.)
In all its locations, the Group has strong links with local organizations and associations, such as
universities as well as the local populations. The Head Office (Montreuil – France) has thus
established a partnership with the Montreuil city council. This agreement aims to promote careers in
the video gaming industry among school pupils in the neighboring areas of the Head Office. In
practical terms, this partnership involves visits to the Ubisoft production studios and providing
information on associated jobs. The Head Office also is involved in the “Nos quartiers ont du talent”
(Our neighborhoods have talent) project, which aims to help young graduates, mainly from working-
class neighborhoods, find a pathway into work via a professional mentoring program.
The Ubisoft offices in Germany have set up a collaborative agreement with a school located near to
the studios. They have focused their efforts on helping young people with immigrant backgrounds find
employment.
Since October 2009, the Singapore studio has launched the “DigiPen-Ubisoft Campus Program”, a
tripartite collaboration between the DigiPen Institute of Technology Singapore (an American university
specializing in video game development) the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and
the Ubisoft studio in Singapore. Under the guidance of Ubisoft employees, the students are given
training for a 10-month cycle with three different areas of specialization (Programming, Game Design
and Art). The Ubisoft Singapore team also helps the students find employment.
More initiatives are listed in 1.4.2 Social Projects.
LINKS WITH COMMERCIAL PARTNERS (SUBCONTRACTORS, SUPPLIERS, ETC.)
Ubisoft is concerned by the environmental, social and societal actions of its commercial partners.
Although there is still no formal policy outlined at the Group level, the majority of the studios and
subsidiaries state that they systematically favor partners who give the best guarantees in terms of
environmental and social commitment and who offer equal benefits and budgets.
Some studios and distribution subsidiaries even have committed to make sustainable development a
priority when selecting a partner. This is true of Australia and France, which systematically include a
note on sustainable development in their tender specifications.
1.4.3.4 RAISING AWARENESS AND SHARING SOUND ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES
APPLYING SOUND ECOLOGICAL PRACTICES AT A GROUP LEVEL
At a Group level, Ubisoft identifies ecological initiatives that follow the objectives of its environmental
policy. These sound practices may be inspired by initiatives already implemented at subsidiaries or
other companies with exemplary environmental behavior. The Group favors initiatives that offer a
pragmatic response to environmental challenges, have proved their effectiveness and help to
streamline operations and investment. These sound practices will then be highlighted in a dedicated