Aegis Group may appear to be in play, but it continues to behave more like a deep-pocketed suitor than an acquisition target, announcing yet another major agency addition to its burgeoning digital
media network. Aegis early Monday said it acquired Kirowski Rt, a leading interactive agency in Hungary, which will be incorporated into its global Isobar network. The announcement comes just days
after Aegis disclosed that French corporate raider Vincent Bollore had made another purchase of Aegis shares, making him the largest shareholder and giving him some veto power over the sale of the
London-based media services and marketing research conglomerate.
On Saturday, Aegis confirmed that Bollore Group, which is also the controlling shareholder of Paris-based Havas, brought its stake
in Aegis up to 11.38 percent from 8.88 percent. That puts Bollore ahead of Chicago-based fund manager Harris Associates as Aegis' biggest shareholder, and puts Bollore in the driver's seat with enough
shares to block or make a sale of Aegis.
That move comes as French rival Publicis Groupe has entered into talks with the Aegis board over a friendly acquisition.
Meanwhile, Aegis continues
to operate as if it is in expansion mode, not a sale candidate--agreeing to pay up to $11.9 million over four years to acquire Kirowski, a nearly 10-year-old digital media shop, which handles
Hungarian Telekom, Nestle, and Renault, among other international accounts.
advertisement
advertisement