Currently world number 2 in media industry, the group Vivendi Universal appeared at the beginning of the year 2000. It originated from the « old » Compagnie Générale des Eaux that has extended its activities into the communication business for the past two decades, thanks to the liberalization process of the audiovisual and telecommunications. Now, it appears to be a « European champion ». Under the management of Jean-Marie Messier, a financial strategy of corporation purchasing and merging is being pursued, in order to establish members’ wallets and copyrights, thus making the group more and more American. – Summary AFRI-2002