Vivendi Universal Chief Gets Huge Bonus

Vivendi Universal chief Jean-Marie Messier won a bonus worth 250% of his salary last year, pushing his pay package close to $5 million, even though the Paris-based media group posted the biggest net loss in French corporate history.

Messier received total compensation of $4.8 million, including his annual salary and a bonus of 250% of his base pay, because the company’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization rose more than 30% in 2001, the company said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.