Milan, Dec. 9 (LaPresse) – “I put €140 million on the table to invest in and acquire the Gedi group, and I did so respecting the timeline set by the offeror. I was ready to raise my bid further. I did this because this investment and my personal commitment to it is a gesture of love towards Italy, an act of responsibility for the future. But in the end, Gedi’s ownership made a different choice, which I respect.” This is what Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, a 12.5% shareholder of Delfin, said in an interview with Il Sole 24 Ore. The reference is to the almost official choice by the group led by John Elkann to sell Gedi’s assets to the Antenna group, led by Greek shipowner Theo Kyriakou. Del Vecchio, through Lmdv Capital, announced that “at the end of the exclusivity period expiring on December 1” he had matched the offer from the Greek group, adding that “evidently my delay in formalizing the offer was taken as late,” but in fact “as soon as the exclusivity period expired, I sent the binding offer to the board of directors.”
“I have always thought of entering the publishing world not so much for the profitability of the business, but because I believe it is essential to ensure that authoritative, high-quality journalism remains central, especially for the new generations who no longer have clear references to look up to, but are overwhelmed by the world of social media in all its forms, from TikTok to other platforms.” For Del Vecchio, “information—free, plural, independent—is a fundamental pillar for the future of our country. In an era where algorithms, speed, and superficiality risk replacing in-depth reporting and responsibility, Italy must preserve and strengthen a quality editorial heritage.”
Gedi, Del Vecchio: “Offered €140 million for publishing group but ownership chose differently”
