• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, November 22, 2006

Aegis Group shareholders this morning rejected French financier Vincent Bollore's second attempt to gain a foothold on the British agency holding company's board, an important step toward what many believe to be an eventual takeover of the company. During the "extraordinary" general meeting in London, a significant majority of Aegis shareholders voted against two representatives Bollore nominated for the Aegis board: Philippe Germond and Roger Hatchuel, French businessmen with close ties to Bollore, who controls a 29.2% stake in Aegis.

The vote was nearly identical to one conducted in June, but Bollore once again vowed to remain ardent in his pursuit to gain some board control over Aegis, the parent of media networks such as Carat and valuable marketing research assets.

Speaking to reporters following this morning's vote, Bollore said he would seek another vote within the next several months, but offered no clear plan for how he might sway a decision the next time.

"The overall message is as clear now as it was earlier this year: Board representation for a shareholder with close connections to a competitor is simply inappropriate," said Aegis Chairman Lord Sharman, alluding to Bollore's role as chairman of Aegis rival Havas. "We hope that Groupe Bollore will respect the views of the clear majority of Aegis shareholders voting today."