Ex-Vivendi CEO: I made mistakes but never misled Nov 21, 2009
They say what was then Vivendi Universal hid its worsening finances in 2001 and 2002. Messier led a buyout binge that saddled the company with billions of dollars of debt. (KGW Northwest NewsChannel 8, OR -- Business)
Key dates in history of National Broadcasting Co. Nov 15, 2009
2004: NBC Universal formed after merger with Vivendi Universal Entertainment. 2007: Jeff Zucker named president and chief executive. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
Disney's Shanghai Theme Park Won't Help Access to China's Media Industry Nov 9, 2009
Vivendi Universal SA signed an agreement in December 2002 for a park in Shanghai with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Group Co. It was never built. which acquired the entertainment company in 2004, is now building a Universal Studios attraction in Singapore. (Bloomberg)
Needham & Company, LLC Hires Laura Martin To Cover Media and Entertainment Oct 28, 2009
Prior to that, Ms. Martin served as EVP of Financial Strategy tor Relations at Vivendi Universal in Paris. She also previously worked at Credit Suisse First Boston, where she was nationally ranked by Institutional Investor for four years in the cable tainment industries. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Bronfman faces trial for Vivendi Oct 23, 2009
French authorities yesterday ordered that Messier, Bronfman and five others face a criminal trial over alleged irregularities stemming from their 2000 merger of Seagram and Vivendi to create media giant Vivendi Universal ... Messier, 53, now an investment adviser, was ousted by Vivendi Universal's board in 2002 for accounting irregularities ... French authorities yesterday ordered that Messier, Bronfman and five others face a criminal trial over alleged irregularities stemming from their 2000... (New York Post -- Business)
Messier, Bronfman Must Stand Trial in Vivendi Market-Manipulation Case Oct 23, 2009
The decision by Judge to send former Vivendi Universal Chief Executive Officer , 52, and Warner Music Group CEO , 53, and the others to trial overrules a January recommendation by Paris prosecutors to drop the case. The company is a co-defendant with Messier in a related shareholder lawsuit in New York over statements about the companys health between 2000 and 2002. (Bloomberg -- Canada)
NY jury hears Vivendi class action case Oct 7, 2009
To illustrate the depth of the company's troubles, Abbey showed the jury warning statements made by former Vivendi Universal Chief Financial Officer Guillaume Hannezo ... Messier was forced out as CEO in July 2002, when the company was known as Vivendi Universal. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Country profile: France Sep 13, 2009
Major satellite pay-TV operator CanalSatellite is controlled by media giant Vivendi Universal. Radio France, the country's public broadcaster. (BBC News -- Europe)
'The Containment Zone,' Scenes From an Unmade Movie, to be Featured as Part of 'Terror Tram' Experience as Universal Studios Hollywood(SM) Amps Up the Fright Factor at 'Halloween Horror Nights,' Beginning 16-Night Run on October 2 Sep 4, 2009
""Halloween Horror Nights" will continue on consecutive weekends and selected weekday nights beginning on Friday, October 2 through Halloween, Saturday, October 31. Event dates are: October 2-3, 9-11, 15-18, 23-25, 28-31. The event will begin nightly at 7:00 p.m.; closing hours vary by night throughout the event.Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A., is a unit of Universal Parks & Resorts, a division of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Nigeria: The Evil Claws of Piracy [analysis] Aug 31, 2009
Both Sony and BMG have already implemented copy-protection systems, and Vivendi Universal once announced to add restricted-use technology to all of its releases. These copy-protection programs encode electronic impediments onto commercial CDs, which prevent the discs from being played on any device that is not a simple CD player. (allAfrica.com)
Entertainment Arts Research Inc. ("EARI") Enters into Negotiations to Acquire Certain Assets of Strait Gate Games, Inc. ("SGG") Aug 1, 2009
Interactive Entertainment, Universal Interactive Studios, Vivendi Universal Games and a leader in the community, has gained him notoriety in the video gaming industry. Mr. Eubanks of SGG stated that he is eager to become a full-time member of EARIs Executive team. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Countersuit filed over Brutal Legend game Jul 23, 2009
Double Fine was developing "Brutal Legend" for Vivendi Universal Games, which is now Activision Entertainment Holdings Inc.. But Double Fine's suit claims Activision never showed interest in the game and canceled it in 2008 after it acquired Vivendi Universal Games ... Those changes were requested by Vivendi Universal Games, according to the lawsuit. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Hilary Smith Upped to Senior Vice President, Communications, NBC Universal Women & Lifestyle Entertainment Networks Jul 15, 2009
Among her many accomplishments in this role, she helped lead communications for several of NBC's major business transactions, including the merger of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, as well as the acquisitions of the Telemundo and Bravo television networks. She joined the company as a press manager for "Dateline NBC" in 1998. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Carlson Cos. CEO joins Polo board Jul 3, 2009
He also had served as executive vice president of American Assets at Vivendi Universal from 2002 to 2004. Joly is Polo s 11th member of its board of directors. (Twin Cities Business Journal, MN)
Pirate Bay's Weird New Business Plan Jul 2, 2009
Pandeya said he first intends to go legal by paying royalties for online content to media companies such as Warner Brothers (), Sony BMG (), and Vivendi Universal (). He didn't say how much he'll pay and concedes he hasn't yet entered into discussions with any music and movie companies. (BusinessWeek)
Monitise Inks $13 Million Deal With Visa Jul 1, 2009
Wednesday July 1, 2009 5:09 AM ET. Published June 30, 2009 6:49 AM. (SmartMoney)
Top 10: Game Industry Mergers Jun 25, 2009
In just a few short months, it would merge with the games division of French media conglomerate Vivendi Universal (itself an amalgamation of brands like Seagram's and Canal+). The resulting company would be named Activision Blizzard, incorporating the name of Vivendi's most popular developer: World of Warcraft and Starcraft developer Blizzard Entertainment. (IGN PS2)
Ballistic Publishing Journeys into The Realms with Philip Straub's Utherworlds Jun 17, 2009
About the artist/author: As an Art Director, Philip Straub has worked with some of the biggest names in the gaming industry including: Vivendi Universal; Electronic Arts; NCSoft; and Big Fish Games. Philip's work has appeared in over 30 childrens' books, and he has co-authored three digital art tutorial books including d'artiste Digital Painting. (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
Activision sues to stop Jack Black game Jun 5, 2009
Activision Entertainment Holdings is the former company known as Vivendi Universal Games and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard. The company has numerous top game franchises in its roster, including the "Call of Duty" and "World of Warcraft" series. (USA Today -- Tech)
Sen. Plan Gives Retailers Leeway on Discounts May 12, 2009
Plan Gives Retailers Leeway on Discounts ((MA), Vivendi Universal (V), (US57636Q), (US92826C)) at SmartMoney. com. (SmartMoney)
Al Gore's Current TV Withdraws Initial Public Offering Apr 15, 2009
Current TV was converted from a defunct cable channel, Newsworld International, that a Gore-led investor group purchased in 2004 from Vivendi Universal for a reported $70 million. The IPO was to have been underwritten by JP Morgan and Lehman Brothers, now part of Barclays Capital. (Fox News)
"The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club" Brings Laughter and Added Starpower to Universal CityWalk as Gala New Comedy Showcase Opens Late May '09 Apr 4, 2009
Jons edgy humor and his innovative plans are a perfect complement to our position as The Entertainment Capital of L.A."The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club will feature a variety of dinner and snack choices from Mulberry Street Pizza, Jerrys Famous Deli and gourmet food from The Perfect Bite. Drinks from a full bar will be available.Emmy Award nominee, Production Designer, Bruce Ryan is designing the club in partnership with Jon Lovitz and his business partner Frank Kelly, one of the countrys... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
PlayStation(R)Network's Video Delivery Service Partners With NBC Universal to Offer Lineup of Hit Movies and Television Shows Mar 11, 2009
Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
$20 Off NWN2 Bundle at D2D Mar 10, 2009
D2D's AAA roster of leading game publishers includes , Activision, Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts, NCsoft, Rockstar Games, SEGA, Sony Online Entertainment, THQ, 2K Games, Ubisoft and Vivendi Universal Games. The Legend of Chun-Li gets beat-down. (IGN PC Games)
WIC: Soviet Assault - Crushing Capitalist Pigs Mar 6, 2009
It may seem strange that these six new missions took so long to get to us; it was supposed to arrive last year, but the merger between Activision and Vivendi Universal Games to form Activision Blizzard put World in Conflict out in the cold. which published World in Conflict, was basically shut down and the franchise was cast adrift to find a new publisher. (IGN PC Games)
Watchmen: The End is Nigh Part 1... Mar 5, 2009
D2D's AAA roster of leading game publishers includes Atari, Activision, Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts, NCsoft, Rockstar Games, SEGA, Sony Online Entertainment, THQ, 2K Games, Ubisoft and Vivendi Universal Games. - March 4th, 2009 D2D now has the Watchmen game available for digital download. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II... Feb 20, 2009
D2D's AAA roster of leading game publishers includes Atari, Activision, Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts, NCsoft, Rockstar Games, SEGA, Sony Online Entertainment, THQ, 2K Games, Ubisoft and Vivendi Universal Games. - February 19th, 2009 D2D has DoW II available for digital download; free bonus with purchase. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
