Jean-Marie Messier
Encyclopedia
Jean-Marie Messier is a French
businessman who was Chairman and Chief Executive of the multinational media conglomerate Vivendi SA (formerly Vivendi Universal) until 2002. He is also frequently referred to by the nickname "J2M", based on his initials.
from 1976 to 1980, and then at the École nationale d'administration
between 1980 and 1982, Messier held several posts at the French Economy Ministry
, including a post as technical counseler for privatization under Edouard Balladur, during the 1980s, before moving to investment bank Lazard Freres
in 1989. After taking up the chairmanship of the utility company Compagnie Générale des Eaux
in 1994, he oversaw its diversification into the media sector and its 2000 merger with Canal+ and Seagram
(owners of Universal Studios
) to form Vivendi Universal.
. After he was fired, Messier tried to claim the apartment as part of his severance package, but was rebuffed. Messier then relocated to New York City
to work as a business consultant.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
businessman who was Chairman and Chief Executive of the multinational media conglomerate Vivendi SA (formerly Vivendi Universal) until 2002. He is also frequently referred to by the nickname "J2M", based on his initials.
Business career
After studying at the École PolytechniqueÉcole Polytechnique
The École Polytechnique is a state-run institution of higher education and research in Palaiseau, Essonne, France, near Paris. Polytechnique is renowned for its four year undergraduate/graduate Master's program...
from 1976 to 1980, and then at the École nationale d'administration
École nationale d'administration
The École Nationale d'Administration , one of the most prestigious of French graduate schools , was created in 1945 by Charles de Gaulle to democratise access to the senior civil service. It is now entrusted with the selection and initial training of senior French officials...
between 1980 and 1982, Messier held several posts at the French Economy Ministry
Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industry (France)
The Minister for the Economy, Industry and Employment , or Minister of Finance for short, is one of the most prominent positions in the cabinet of France after the Prime Minister....
, including a post as technical counseler for privatization under Edouard Balladur, during the 1980s, before moving to investment bank Lazard Freres
Lazard
Lazard Ltd is the parent company of Lazard Group LLC, a global, independent investment bank with approximately 2,300 employees in 42 cities across 27 countries throughout Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, Central and South America...
in 1989. After taking up the chairmanship of the utility company Compagnie Générale des Eaux
Compagnie Générale des Eaux
Compagnie Générale des Eaux was a French multinational company which gave birth to three world's leaders in their respective fields: VINCI, Veolia Environnement and Vivendi....
in 1994, he oversaw its diversification into the media sector and its 2000 merger with Canal+ and Seagram
Seagram
The Seagram Company Ltd. was a large corporation headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada that was the largest distiller of alcoholic beverages in the world. Toward the end of its independent existence it also controlled various entertainment and other business ventures...
(owners of Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
) to form Vivendi Universal.
Forced resignation, and dispute over apartment
Messier was forced to resign from his position with Vivendi in July 2002, after the company posted a non-cash loss of 13.6 billion euro ($US 11.8 billion) during 2001. During his time as CEO of Vivendi, Messier used corporate funds to buy a $17.5 million apartment for his personal use at 515 Park Avenue at 60th Street in New York City, the swank Arthur Zeckendorf development that was home to luminaries such as Senator Jon CorzineJon Corzine
Jon Stevens Corzine is the former CEO of Goldman Sachs and of MF Global, and a one time American politician, who served as the 54th Governor of New Jersey from 2006 to 2010. A Democrat, Corzine served five years of a six-year U.S. Senate term representing New Jersey before being elected Governor...
. After he was fired, Messier tried to claim the apartment as part of his severance package, but was rebuffed. Messier then relocated to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to work as a business consultant.