Havas posted positive results recently with a 21 percent improvement in operating income and net income for the year improved 80 percent compared to 2006. The company disclosed last month that its organic growth of more than seven percent. Chief Executive Officer Fernando Rodes Vila echoed Sorrell and Levy by saying that 2008 would be a good year, but 2009 would be more “complicated.” Havas noted its strong standing in both digital and media operations.
Rodes Villa, the chief executive of Havas’ Media Planning Group, said that the firm would be focusing on organic growth this year, and will also be shopping around for acquisitions with a price tag between $40 million and $150 million.
Meanwhile, French billionaire Vincent Bollore (pictured above) raised his stake to control about 32 percent of Havas in August. He also holds 29.9 percent of Aegis Group, the world’s largest independent buyer of advertising space. He’s been making a bid for seats on the company’s board to no avail, but try, try again seems to be his motto.
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