DGAP-News: Vodafone Group Plc. english VODAFONE AND VIVENDI UNIVERSAL AGREE REVISED BUSINESS MODEL FOR VIZZAVI Corporate-news announcement processed and sent by DGAP. The sender is solely responsible for the contents of this announcement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VODAFONE AND VIVENDI UNIVERSAL AGREE REVISED BUSINESS MODEL FOR VIZZAVI Vodafone Group Plc ("Vodafone") and Vivendi Universal SA ("Vivendi Universal"), today announce that they have agreed terms on a revised business model for Vizzavi Europe ("Vizzavi"), the multi-access joint venture portal between the two companies. At the time of the launch of the Vizzavi joint venture in May 2000, the partners made clear their intention to re-examine the revenue and cost sharing model within two years. Today, the parties announce their intention to replace the existing model, which was based on a 50/50 split of the gross margin between Vizzavi and the partners` mobile operators, with a new arrangement. Under the new model, with a greater focus on Vodafone`s and Vivendi Universal`s mobile services, the partners` mobile operators will pass on to Vizzavi up to 5% of the operator access airtime revenues that are generated through the Vizzavi content portal, with the remaining percentage to be retained by the partners` mobile operators. In addition, Vizzavi will earn 80% of all revenues generated through user payments for premium content such as ringtones, logos, games and other downloads with 20% to be retained by the partners` mobile operators. In this way, Vizzavi and the partners` mobile operators will benefit from a targeted focus on a premium content platform aimed at increasing customer usage and revenue. This evolved business model emphasises the added value that Vizzavi can bring to consumers. It recognises the era at messaging services and will enable optimisation of services availed by new technology across Europe. The partners are confident that Vizzavi will achieve its target of break-even by the end of 2003. Focusing on its key strength of Vodafone and Vivendi Universal`s 94.5 million mobile venture customers across Europe, Vizzavi will also leverage Vivendi Universal`s expertise in content development and implementation across Europe. The results of the last few months clearly demonstrate Vizzavi`s achievements in growing the business: in the quarter ended December 2001 there were 6.3 million customers (42% ahead of the previous quarter), 4.1 million average daily web page views (33% ahead of the previous quarter) and 2.1 million average daily wap page views (86% more than at the end of the previous quarter). In line with the revised business model, Vizzavi will be undertaking a restructuring programme. It is anticipated that the associated job reductions will be in the region of 100 across Europe. In addition, Evan Newmark, the CEO of Vizzavi since its creation in May 2000, has announced that he will be leaving the business effective as at 31 January 2002. Guy Laurence, currently the Chief Marketing Officer, will succeed him as CEO. Jean-Marie Messier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vivendi Universal, commented: "Vizzavi is entering a new era. This revised business model will give more commercial and financial flexibility for Vizzavi`s development and Vivendi Universal will have a very important role as content provider for the company. The new model demonstrates Vivendi Universal`s and Vodafone`s confidence in Vizzavi`s future as the number one European multi-access portal. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Evan for his significant achievements since Vizzavi`s creation. I also welcome Guy as the new CEO, who has done excellent work as Vizzavi`s Chief Marketing Officer, a key field for Vizzavi`s success. With Vodafone we have developed a real and long term partnership with a key pan-European focus." Sir Christopher Gent, Chief Executive of Vodafone, said: "This revised agreement aligns more closely the interests of the partners` mobile operators with the commercial focus of Vizzavi in an emerging marketplace. I would like to thank Evan for all he has accomplished in developing Vizzavi to its current leadership position. Guy is an excellent appointment as the new CEO given his previous track record within the business. We have strong management, the right business model and the premier partner in Vivendi Universal, giving us confidence in the future performance of the business." For further information: Vodafone Group Plc Tim Brown, Group Corporate Affairs Director Melissa Stimpson, Head of Group Investor Relations Bobby Leach, Head of Group Financial Media Relations Jon Earl, Senior Investor Relations Manager Darren Jones, Senior Investor Relations Manager Tel: +44 (0) 1635 673310 Tavistock Communications John West / Peter Willetts Tel: +44 (0) 20 7600 2288 end of message, (c)DGAP 07.01.2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WKN: 875999; ISIN: GB0007192106; Index: Stoxx 50 Listed: Amtlicher Handel in Frankfurt (Dt. Zert.); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München, Stuttgart
Autor: (),13:42 07.01.2002
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