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Who Is Vivi? Media World's Mystery Man

Influential investor keeps a low profile but wields much clout

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 28, 2008 6:49 AM CDT
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(Newser) – He has major stakes in Time Warner and Goldman Sachs, he hangs out with Lenny Kravitz and the boss of Morgan Stanley, and he's engaged to the impossibly beautiful Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi. But Vivi Nevo is an unknown quantity: the mogul came from nowhere and, through a series of shrewd investments, has made himself into one of the most influential players in the media industry. The New York Times looks at the rise of the man his colleagues call "the international man of mystery."

Nevo has never given an interview, and his lack of a paper trail has only raised the intrigue about him. But the wealth and connections he has amassed over two decades of investing have made him an indispensible figure in the media world. "What the hell does Vivi do?" asked one decades-long associate. "He seems to be a powerful player in the entertainment industry. How, I don’t know."

Zhang Ziyi and Vivi Nevo pose together at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008.
Zhang Ziyi and Vivi Nevo pose together at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/ Matt Sayles)
Vivi Nevo, president of NV Investments, right, talks with Edgar Bronfman, chairman and CEO of Warner Music Group, during lunch at the annual Allen & Co.'s media conference Wednesday, July 9, 2008, in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Vivi Nevo, president of NV Investments, right, talks with Edgar Bronfman, chairman and CEO of Warner Music Group, during lunch at the annual Allen & Co.'s media conference Wednesday, July 9, 2008, in...   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Vivi Nevo, of NV Investments, and actress Zhang Ziyi arrive for the annual Allen & Co.'s media conference Thursday, July 10, 2008, in Sun Valley, Idaho. The couple plans to wed next year, said Nevo.
Vivi Nevo, of NV Investments, and actress Zhang Ziyi arrive for the annual Allen & Co.'s media conference Thursday, July 10, 2008, in Sun Valley, Idaho. The couple plans to wed next year, said Nevo.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Investor Vivi Nevo and actress Zhang Ziyi arrive for the annual Allen & Co.'s media conference Tuesday, July 8, 2008, in Sun Valley, Idaho. The two plan to wed next year, said Nevo.
Investor Vivi Nevo and actress Zhang Ziyi arrive for the annual Allen & Co.'s media conference Tuesday, July 8, 2008, in Sun Valley, Idaho. The two plan to wed next year, said Nevo.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi and investor Vivi Nevo break for lunch during the annual Allen and Co.'s media conference Wednesday, July 11, 2007, in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi and investor Vivi Nevo break for lunch during the annual Allen and Co.'s media conference Wednesday, July 11, 2007, in Sun Valley, Idaho.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
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Zhang Ziyi fans start digging into Nevo's career
Just Jared

How Nevo kept his name out of the papers for years
Cityfile

 
media • Time Warner • Goldman Sachs • entertainment industry • Vivi Nevo • Zhang Ziyi

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