RUMOR MILL
Back to Rumor Mill >
"Job cuts linked to the merger and outside of normal activities will be limited and focused mainly on the headquarters, particularly in the United States."
——Vivendi Universal chief Jean-Marie Messier
Wednesday, January 31, 2001

VIVENDI UNIVERSAL EXPECTED
TO TRIM U.S. STAFF

Workers Urged to Take Advantage of Free French Bread And Perrier While They Can

Vivendi Universal is gearing up to slim down its staff, with the bulk of layoffs expected to hit the company's U.S. divisions.

According to the Financial Times, Vivendi Universal chief Jean-Marie Messier aims to cut costs by $385 million in 2002.

In a response to Reuters, Messier said: "Job cuts linked to the merger and outside of normal activities will be limited and focused mainly on the headquarters, particularly in the United States."

While it's not known how many of the company's 71,000 employees would be given pink slips, industry watchers predict the layoffs will target staffing redundancies. Most likely to see cuts is the film unit, due to duplications between Universal Pictures and Vivendi's Canal Plus film branch. Vivendi's lack of its own music division could spare Universal Music Group's staff, which was already pared down from its merger with PolyGram Music.

Vivendi Universal is expected to release more details when it announces its financial results in early March.

 
BACK TO RUMOR MILL
 
TORTURED POETS UNITE: TAYLOR IS BACK
Is she ever. (4/19a)
Check It Out Now
HITS LIST ENTERS
PLAYOFF MODE
Will the scoring record be broken? (4/19a)
Check It Out Now
SONG REVENUE: CALM BEFORE THE STORM
J. Cole has his moment; Future-Metro have another big payday. (4/19a)
Check It Out Now
WARNER CHAPPELL ROPES IN RED CLAY STRAYS
Another big get for Guy and Carianne (4/19a)
Check It Out Now
THE COUNT: COACHELLA, FROM THE COUCH
The coziest way to experience the fest (4/19a)
Check It Out Now
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
 Email

 First Name

 Last Name

 Company

 Country
CAPTCHA code
Captcha: (type the characters above)

By clicking submit you are agreeing
to Terms and Conditions