Doubts raised over Vizzavi's future

Time to pull le plug?

Vizzavi claims it is "business as usual" despite waking up to press reports which suggest that funding for the Internet operation could be pulled.

Today's FT reports that Jean-Marie Messier, chief exec of Vivendi Universal, is considering whether to cut his losses and pull the plug on the multi-platform Internet portal.

Mr Messier is also said to be looking to cull other cash-guzzling Internet operations including portals Scoot and iFrance, according to the pink paper.

The newspaper claims the idea was discussed at a board meeting last week.

A spokesman for Vizzavi, which is owned jointly by Vivendi and Vodafone, said today's report was "news to me" before adding that this was "pure speculation".

In January, the Pop Idol-sponsoring outfit axed 100 jobs and confirmed that Evan Newmark, the CEO of Vizzavi would also step down. ®

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