The meeting began with a friendly discussion between Gilles Alix, member of the Vivendi Management board, president of Group Vivendi Africa and CEO of the Bolloré Group, and the Committee members.
Gilles Alix referred to Vivendi’s positive results during the first half of 2018. Highlighting the Group’s excellent financial health, he went over the key accomplishments for the various activities for the period. He also looked at the analyses conducted on the potential changes in Universal Music Group’s capital and the exclusive negotiations with Grupo Planeta for purchasing Editis.
Presentation of half-yearly results
Solange Maulini, Director of Vivendi Press and Shareholders Relations, continued the Committee meeting by going through the figures published by the Group and its subsidiaries during the first half of 2018.
In particular she highlighted the EBITA growth by Universal Music Group and Canal+ Group over this period as well as the improvement in EBITA/net revenue margin for Havas.
Lastly, she discussed the change in Vivendi’s net debt. On June 30, 2018, it was 1.4 billion euros, compared with 2.3 billion on December 31, 2017. It should be noted that in March, the Group sold its shareholding in Ubisoft for 2 billion euros (for an initial investment of 794 million), and that in July, it exercised its option to sell its shareholding in Fnac Darty for 267 million euros (for an initial investment of 159 million).
Furthermore, on June 30, 2018, the Group’s portfolio of listed holdings represented a market value in the range of 5.3 billion euros.
Focus on the Théâtre de l’Œuvre by Kim Poignant, Deputy Director
Following a summary of the theater’s history (from its creation in 1892 to now), Kim Poignant explained the audit mission that she conducted there and the actions put in place. The results of these were highly positive (doubling visitor numbers and performances).
Kim Poignant looked at the theater’s forward-thinking approaches, its entirely private shareholder base, the highly competitive environment for its activities, and the reasons for creating the UBU Café. She also laid down the Théâtre de l’Œuvre’s pricing policy.
The Deputy Director finished off by presenting the theater’s future program.
Presentation of Vivendi’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy by Marie-Annick Darmaillac, CSR Director, and Jaleh Bradea, head of CSR involvement and promotion.
The Committee followed with great interest the presentation of Vivendi’s CSR strategy, supported by videos. There was an emphasis on the Group’s commitments in terms of diversity.
The committee was then able to discuss, with Marie-Annick Darmaillac and Jaleh Bradea, about the responsibility of the Group’s media entities as influencers and about the CSA (Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel – Superior Council of the Audiovisual) criteria regarding diversity.
The Committee watched a video illustrating the Group’s support for diversity with the help of Samia Essabaa, a teacher from Théodore Monod high school in Noisy le Sec. Her initiatives were also sponsored by Simone Veil and Elisabeth Guigou.
Closing lunch
The Committee concluded its work with an informal lunch, during which discussions continued (types of contracts in music, proposals of changes to how the Committee operates, etc.).
