A $519 million bond offering by Paris-based agency holding company Havas is fueling speculation that it may once again be preparing for a major acquisition, presumably an offer to take over
London-based Aegis Group. Havas Chairman Vincent Bollore is the largest shareholder in both agency holding companies, and has been thwarted in repeated attempts to gain seats on the Aegis board, which
some believe would be a prelude to a merger. Aegis is the parent of media networks such as Carat, Isobar, Posterscope and Vizeum, as well as marketing research giant Synovate. Havas is the parent of
media networks MPG and Media Contacts, and agencies such as Euro RSCG.
