Working Title films research - synergy

Working title is 67% owned by Universal Studios. Universal Studios are owned by Vivendi. Vivendi own a multitude of global companies for instance Studio Canal, Odean, MP3.com and Universal Records.


Love Actually is a Working Titles Film. It had 4 production companies:

• Universal Studios
• Studio Canal
• Working Title Films
• DNA Films

Because this film was budgeted for more than £80 million, Working Titles could not give it the green light with out involving Universal Studios. Universal Studios called on their parent company- Vivendi, to gain more support on the production whether this be for advice, or money. Studio Canal- (also owned by Vivendi)- Universal Studio's sibling got involved in this film. So because Working Titles is partly owned by Universal Studios, who is owned by Vivendi, who owns other production companies, Love Actually gained more support.

As Love Actually was such a major success it was distributed in many foreign countries. The distributers involved were:

Universal Pictures (USA)

Filmes Lusomundo (Portugal)

Mars Distribution (France)

Studio Canal (France) 

United International Pictures (Argentina), (Germany), (Switzerland), (Spain), (UK), (Italy), (Netherlands), (Singapore), (Japan)- all theatrical

Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (DVD), (VHS)

RTL Entertainment (Netherlands) (TV) (RTL5)

Universal Pictures (Spain), (Benelux), (Brazil), (Netherlands), (Canada)(DVD)

Universal Studios Home Entertainment

 All a 4 of the distribution companies which are in red are owned by Vivendi. This shows a strong use of Vivendi's 'children'. This convergence is known as vertical integration. This is where all aspects of a film- (studio, distribution and exhibition) can be done under one company-in this case Vivendi.

Love Actually doesn't have it own official web page. It has been released on DVD, Blue Ray and CD soundtrack. This synergy of merchandise work together in creating a long term distribution and exhibition plan.