De Pouzilhac announced he was stepping down after nine years in the position at a board meeting in Paris on Tuesday, having lost his power struggle with Vincent Bollore, the corporate raider who owns 22 per cent of the company.
Should Dru make the switch, the way would be open for Paul Bainsfair, TBWA's European president, to succeed him. Dru is understood to be meeting with Bollore at the Cannes International Advertising Festival this week to discuss the move.
Meanwhile, Havas, the world's fifth-largest communications group, will be under the control of Richard Colker, an independent director who is backed by a team of other Havas directors including Ed Eskandarian, Jacques Seguela and Fernando Rodés.
De Pouzilhac, 60, will remain a Havas board member until June next year and will continue managing accounts such as Peugeot, with which he has a long relationship.
Dru's capture would be a huge coup for Bollore. The TBWA boss is not only one of the few French admen with global stature, but he is also much respected in Havas' key US market.
"De Pouzilhac believes Dru is the best option for the group even if he isn't happy to go," a Havas source said. "If Bollore hadn't produced Dru, he would not have gone quietly."
Despite a successful career with Omnicom, the Havas lure is expected to be irresistible to Dru. The job would bestow celebrity status on him in his native France, while commanding a high financial reward. De Pouzilhac was paid £1.8m in salary and bonuses last year.
Dru's expected arrival is being welcomed by senior managers at the Havas operating companies, who see it as evidence that Bollore has no wish to break up the group.
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