• Brand Republic, Monday, February 27, 2006 12 PM

The 2012 London Olympics may be six years away, but a rise in sports partnerships and sponsorships has prompted the French agency holding company Havas to plant seeds in preparation for the event. To take advantage of anticipated opportunities, the company is planning to open a London branch of its Paris-based sports marketing unit, Havas Sports, later this year. "The objective is to launch the agency before the end of June although the project could be moved forward or delayed," a Havas spokesman said. If the London company gets the go-ahead, it is likely to operate as Havas Sports in the U.K., although it could be incorporated into the Havas-owned Media Planning Group's operations. Havas Sports recently opened offices in China, to take advantage of the opportunities surrounding the 2008 Beijing Games, and Spain.

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