Nice-Matin Acquires Bestimage Paparazzi Agency from Michèle Marchand
Nice-Matin, owned by billionaire Xavier Niel, has acquired the Bestimage paparazzi agency from Michèle Marchand, often referred to as the queen of the celebrity press. The regional press group announced this significant acquisition on Wednesday. Jean-Louis Pelé, CEO of Nice-Matin, explained that their plan is to create unique digital content focused on celebrities in the Côte d'Azur, capitalizing on an extensive collection of photos and documents dating back to the 1970s.
This treasure trove, consisting of millions of photos and documents, will be used to spotlight celebrities who favor the region, especially during the glamorous summer season. While Pelé didn’t disclose the purchase price, he confirmed that the ten employees of Chouet'Press, the parent company of Bestimage, will retain their jobs.
The Future of Michèle Marchand and Bestimage
Michèle Marchand, also known as 'Mimi,' aged 77 and revered for her closeness to the Sarkozys and subsequently as the guardian of Emmanuel Macron's public image, will undergo a 'transition' period to ensure a smooth handover in the long run. Notably, Marchand was indicted in 2021 and placed under judicial supervision for 'witness tampering' in relation to allegations of Libyan funding of Nicolas Sarkozy's 2007 presidential campaign. She’s also suspected of extorting money from TV host Karine Le Marchand.
Pelé assured that despite these legal issues, Bestimage remains a premier entity covering news about public figures both domestically and globally. Daily, thousands of photos from red carpets, ceremonies, and events around the world are captured by Bestimage photographers.
One of 'Mimi’s' distinctive approaches has been to create compelling narratives rather than publishing unapproved, stolen photos. A clear example is the orchestrated public appearance of Brigitte Macron with her husband Emmanuel in 2016, which helped in quelling rumors during a critical phase of his presidential campaign. This staged moment led to images of the couple romantically enjoying the beach, making the front page of Paris Match.
Xavier Niel, beyond his stake in Nice-Matin, also holds shares in prominent French media outlets including Le Monde, France-Antilles, and Paris-Turf. Additionally, he financed the creation of the online investigative economic media, L’Informé.
- Michèle Marchand's indictment and subsequent legal hurdles have added layers of complexity to the acquisition. Her association with various high-profile figures and controversial cases has kept her in the public eye, further intensifying the narrative around this acquisition.
- The acquisition signals a shift in content creation strategies, as Nice-Matin aims to leverage historical photo archives to produce engaging and exclusive digital content focused on celebrities in the renowned Côte d'Azur region.
- Despite the legal controversies surrounding Marchand, the acquisition underscores the strength and potential profitability lurking within celebrity-focused media assets, particularly those rich in archival content.
