Reclaimed brand
In September 2003, the group reorganized itself, as agencies from the Diversified Agencies division were sold or absorbed into three core divisions: Euro RSCG Worldwide (integrated communications); MPG (Media planning and buying) and Arnold Worldwide Partners (advertising). In July 2004, after having completed its strategic reorganization, Bolloré Group started acquiring a stake in Havas. In October, the Company completed a €404 million capital increase which enabled it to reduce its overall debt levels.
By 2005, Bolloré had amassed a 22% stake, obtained 4 seats on the Havas board at the shareholders meeting,[24] and took control of the company. Chairman and CEO Alain de Pouzilhac was deposed in a boardroom coup on 21 June 2005. Other board and management level changes followed.[25] The board appointed independent non-executive director Richard Colker as interim CEO. On 12 July 2005, Havas named Vincent Bolloré as board chairman, and veteran banker Philippe Wahl as chief executive officer.[26] In March 2006, Havas named Fernando Rodés Vilà, son of the founder of Media Planning S.A. Leopoldo Rodés Castañes, as its new CEO. Havas remained listed on Euronext, but delisted from the NASDAQ stock exchange as of 28 July 2006.[27]
In March 2015, the group's main shareholder Bolloré S.A. sold a 22.5 percent stake in the firm for around €600 million, but announced it intended to remain a majority shareholder.[28]
French corporate raider Vincent Bolloré, through his holding company the Bolloré Group, is the main shareholder, controlling 32.84% of the share capital as of 7 May 2012. Bolloré himself took over the chairmanship of the Havas board (Président du conseil d'administration). In November 2017, Havas acquired Malaysia-based agency Immerse and rebranded to Havas Immerse.[29]
In April 2022, Havas acquired the UK-based digital agency and Google partner, Search Laboratory.[30]
In April 2024, it was announced Havas had acquired the Paris-headquartered data consultancy company, TED Consulting.[31]
In July 2024, four of their agencies - Havas London, Havas Lemz, Havas New York, and Havas Immerse - lost their B Corp status over work for Shell plc.[32]
The company started trading at Euronext Amsterdam after its spin-off from Vivendi on 16 December 2024, the shares were trading at 1.91 euros on that day, up 6% on the opening price.[33]
In January 2025, Havas acquired CA Sports, one of the largest sports marketing agencies in Spain.[34]
