It also illustrates the ability of Vivendi's controlling shareholder, billionaire Vincent Bollore, to swiftly shift gears depending on market conditions, as the group's recent spree of acquisitions has produced mixed results. Vivendi, reporting a 32 percent jump in first-half core operating profit, also announced it had entered in exclusive talks with Spanish group Grupo Planeta to acquire French publishing group Editis for an enterprise value of 900 million euros ($1.05 billion). Pressure had been mounting on Vivendi in the last few months to update investors on its plans for UMG -- worth between 20 billion and 30 billion euros ($23 billion-$35 billion), according to analysts. UMG artists include Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, Drake, Lady Gaga, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.