LVMH boss Bernard Arnault has issued strict orders that don’t bode well for certain media outlets. It seems something has irked the Chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, as he has made it abundantly clear that his top executives are strictly forbidden from communicating with specific media organizations. Engaging with any of the seven blacklisted outlets, according to Arnault, will be treated as serious misconduct, carrying the heavy penalty of dismissal. This directive was communicated through an email sent on January 17, in which the billionaire described the targeted media as “so-called investigative sites that use the public’s fascination with luxury to attract new readers in a sensationalist manner.” The blacklisted publications include La Lettre, Glitz Paris, Miss Tweed, l’Informé, Puck (US), Mediapart, and Le Canard enchaîné.
According to La Lettre, a French investigative newspaper, Arnault, who is worth $171 billion, made his stance crystal clear: “I formally condemn any behavior that involves maintaining relations with unscrupulous journalists.” He further emphasized, “We are a family group, and I remind everyone of the formal prohibition on communicating information or comments about the family. I will be inflexible regarding any breach of these rules, which, for me, would signal an intolerable lack of loyalty.” It would indeed be foolish for any executive to risk their position at the world’s largest luxury goods company, which was the first European firm to surpass a $500 billion valuation.
As for Arnault, the fifth richest man in the world, he clearly isn’t fond of having his personal space invaded. This was proven when Twitter users began tracking his every move via his private jet, a $73 million Bombardier 7500. In response, the centibillionaire sold his aircraft in 2022, and now rents planes to maintain his privacy, an uncommon step for most tycoons, but not for the fiercely private Bernard Arnault. He is a decisive leader with an aggressive approach to business. The 75-year-old, who views himself as an ambassador of French heritage and culture, earned the nickname ‘The Terminator’ after laying off 9,000 employees following a buyout. His top executives know better than to test the Terminator!
