Vivendi completes acquisition of Lagardère Group

Vivendi has successfully completed the acquisition of the Lagardère group, solidifying its position as a major player in media, culture, and entertainment. This acquisition also propels Vivendi into a global leadership role in travel retail, experiences, and publishing. The Lagardère group will now benefit from the long-term and stable support of Vivendi as a shareholder, facilitating its development projects.

The transaction was finalized after Vivendi closed two sales with the European Commission. These sales included the transfer of Editis’ 100% share capital to International Media Invest (IMI) on November 14, 2023, and the sale of Gala magazine to Group Figaro, which concluded on November 21.

Lagardère Publishing and Lagardère Travel Retail are the key businesses of Lagardère. Lagardère Publishing, the third-largest book publisher globally, excels in educational and general public markets, ranking first in France and second in Great Britain. Lagardère Travel Retail is a leading global travel retailer, ranking first in the travel essential sector worldwide and second in airports.

The Lagardère group encompasses press activities with Lagardère News, celebrated brands, and Lagardère Live Entertainment. With this transaction, Vivendi's pro forma combined revenues for 2022 exceed €16.5 billion, making it a substantial player with a workforce of 66,000 employees across continents.

Arnaud de Puyfontaine, CEO, and Yannick Bolloré, Chairman of Vivendi’s Supervisory Board, express their pride in welcoming Lagardère into their group. They see this as an opportunity for both companies, emphasizing the complementary nature of their expertise, product portfolios, and geographical presence. The strategic ambition includes transformation, internationalization, and integration, aiming to strengthen their international presence in creation, content, and distribution.

Vivendi currently holds 60% of Lagardère's share capital with the authority to utilize slightly more than 50% of its voting rights. The leadership at Vivendi pledges to support Lagardère in its development while preserving its integrity, anticipating a fruitful collaboration that will elevate both companies to new heights.