On March 14, 2018, Elliott Associates, L.P. announced that it has nominated Fulvio Conti, Massimo Ferrari, Paola Giannotti De Ponti, Luigi Gubitosi, Dante Roscini, and Rocco Sabelli to the Board to replace 6 of the directors appointed in 2017 from the Vivendi list. Elliott Associates expressed its view that a fully independent Board should and would consider taking steps to maximize shareholder value, including simplifying Telecom Italia S.p.A.'s capital structure so as to allow all shares the same voting and economic rights. Elliott Associates also expressed its view that the Company should separate part of the Company's NetCo and Sparkle units through a sale and use the proceeds to reduce leverage and that the Company should reintroduce a dividend.