Deals

Ackman Music Deal Spurs Pushback From Vivendi Shareholder

French media group’s investors vote this month on UMG spinoff
Proposed sale to Ackman’s Pershing confused some analysts

Bill Ackman
Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

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By Nishant Kumar

June 10, 2021 at 4:16 PM UTC

Updated on

June 10, 2021 at 5:30 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Vivendi SE shareholder Artisan Partners is opposing the company’s plan to sell bits of its prized asset, Universal Music Group, including a proposed deal with a blank-check firm backed by billionaire Bill Ackman.

The move adds pressure on Vincent Bollore’s French media group before shareholders are set to meet on June 22 to vote on a plan to spin off 60% of the world’s biggest music company.