PARIS (Reuters), Vivendi, the French media company (OTC:) reported that its first quarter sales rose 7.9% compared to a year ago on the basis constant exchange rates. Acquisitions are excluded. This was driven by the success of its advertising and pay-TV units.

The total revenue for the year rose to 2.38 billion euro ($2.56billion) from 2.1billion a previous year. The company’s largest asset, Pay-TV Canal Plus (AS:), saw its sales rise by 6% to 1.45 million euros.

Sales at Vivendi’s ad unit Havas also increased 11.3%, to 591,000,000 euros.

($1 = 0.9284 euros)