The Bollore Group released a statement to comply with the French commercial code after taking more than 20% in voting rights in Havas. It says that the company has no immediate plans to make a takeover bid, but that it does not rule out buying or selling shares, depending on market opportunities, and also on the "evolution of relations" with the board of Havas, which is headed by chief executive Alain de Pouzilhac.
Vincent Bollore has a reputation as a corporate raider, buying up shares in companies that are underperforming and then forcing them into restructuring or merging, and thus increasing the worth of his stake.
In September, when his stake in the company stood at around 10%, Bollore issued a statement of intent saying that he had no immediate plans to take control of Havas, but that he intended to ask for representation on the company's board. This more recent statement reiterates his intention to have "several" people on the Havas board.
The machinations have given rise to rumours that Havas could be "saved" by rival French advertising group Publicis. While it would make a nice ending for French business, which has been stung by losing out in the big advertising deals to the WPP Group, many in the industry think it is unlikely because the client conflicts are too great.
Publicis' chief executive Maurice Levy has continually refused to be drawn into discussing detailed plans, saying that as far as he is aware the company is not for sale.
Bollore Group is an old, family-owned company, best known for its industrial interests, although it has recently started to build up a media arm.
Its interests include shipping, logistics, fuel distribution and it also owns rubber and palm oil plantations. Its media businesses include the radio station Radio Nouveaux Talents, which began broadcasting in March this year, and it plans to launch a digital television station called Direct 8 next year.
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