Vivendi (France)

Vivendi, formerly Vivendi Universal, slimmed down dramatically after it came close to financial collapse in 2002, and has delivered an impressive recovery. From 1998 onwards ambitious chairman Jean-Marie Messier oversaw a string of big acquisitions which transformed Compagnie Generale Des Eaux in name and in size, and also from a French utilities business into a global media giant. But the group accumulated huge debts in the process, leading Vivendi to a series of escalating losses. Misjudged management decisions and an impending cash crisis led many to question the validity of Messier's strategy, and he was ousted in 2002. A new management team was appointed to dismantle the mess left by Messier, selling off all but five key subsidiaries including SFR, Canal+, Universal Music and its games division, now part of global #1 Activision Blizzard. Advertising Age estimated global measured advertising expenditure of $729m in 2007, making Vivendi the world's #49 advertiser. Click here to access the Adbrands profile (subscribers only); or subscribe to Adbrands.net here. Adbrands Company Profiles provide a detailed analysis of the history and current operations of leading advertisers, agencies and brands worldwide, and include a critical summary which identifies key strengths and weaknesses. Adbrands Account Assignments tracks account management for the world's leading brands and companies, including details of which advertising agency handles which accounts in which countries for major markets.

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Vivendi website

SFR	Groupe Canal+
Universal Music Group	Activision Blizzard

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