• Vivendi's chief executive, Jean-Bernard Lévy, underscored his company's focus on media over telecom. "In telecoms, the opportunities are rare, and there are no real cross-border advantages." He said the company will seek future growth from Universal Music Group, Vivendi games (online gaming), and programming created by Canal Plus. (Read article at International Herald Tribune)

• The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has found that Sony BMG discriminated against black employees when it "overwhelmingly" targeted black employees in a series of 2004, post-merger layoffs at a Manhattan office. Later this week, a lawyer for one of the former employees will file a suit against Sony BMG. (Read article at New York Post)

• The Los Angeles Times' Randy Lewis combined concert grosses an album sales to arrive at the Ultimate Top Ten. They are, in order, The Rolling Stones, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dionne, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bon Jovi, Nickelback (Read article at Los Angeles Times)

• Toshiba has partnered with MTV's URGE digital music service. Nothing of substance is mentioned in the press release, though. No details of the partnership. No info on collaborative branding efforts. Nothing. (Read press release)

• Shane Allen, formerly a national director of promotion at Universal South, has been hired as VP of radio strategies and field marketing at Capitol Nashville. (Read article at Billboard.biz)