According to a weekend report in the Sunday Times, Havas could also lose its Volkswagen account. The combined loss would be a considerable setback to Havas chairman, Alain de Pouzilhac, who last month called on Bollore to make clear his intentions towards the advertising company.
De Pouzilhac has personally been involved in Euro RSCG Worldwide's efforts to retain Intel and he flew to New York last year to help retain the business.
Euro RSCG has handled the Intel account since 1991 and was responsible for creating the famous TV campaign that features the recognisable Intel chime and the tagline "Intel inside". The media account is handled by sister agency, Media Planning Group.
Early on in the battle for the Intel account, which went into review in October, there was speculation that the account could go to one of two WPP agencies -- J Walter Thompson or Berlin Cameron/Red Cell New York.
Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of WPP, is believed to have a close relationship with Intel's new chief marketer Eric Kim, who worked with WPP agencies while at Samsung.
It has since been reported that the chip manufacturer has shortlisted three agencies from Interpublic Group, Omnicom and WPP.
The VW review is a global one and involves the German car giant overhauling its $1.4bn global media business. VW is understood to be considering consolidating the work into a single agency. The Havas-owned Media Planning Group looks after the $500m North American account, while WPP/Grey Global Group's MediaCom handles Europe.
Havas was refusing to comment on speculation about the two accounts and a spokeswoman would only say: "We have no comment at this stage."
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