Havas Chairman Builds Aegis Stake

Vincent Bollore's intentions drawn speculation ever since he took control of the French ad group.

Author:: Sandy Brown
Publish date:: Aug 4, 2005 4:09 PM EDT

France's Bollore group, led by corporate raider Vincent Bollore, has acquired over 6% of London-based media and market research firm

Aegis Group

Bollore, of course, recently took control of French ad network

Havas

(HAVS)

Aegis Group, listed on the London exchange, includes some of the largest media buying services in the world, including Carat and Vizeum. The move brings with it speculation that Bollore intends to merge the two groups.

Bollore took control of the Havas board in early July after a protracted corporate battle. He has said that he is in Havas for the long term and interested in building the ad network. Skeptics note his past record of buying up and selling off company assets piecemeal.

Shares in Havas were up 10 cents to $5.56 before market close on Thursday. Aegis was up 4% at the close of London business today after a two-day run in its stock.