• December 13, 2005

"The game is open" for some integration between Havas and Aegis Group, Havas Chairman Vincent Bollore told journalists in Paris Tuesday morning, following the unveiling of his new strategic plan for the French agency holding company, Reuters reported. "We have not invested for nothing," he added. "It's a financial stake." Bollore, who currently owns 23.8 percent of Havas' shares, controls more than 25 percent of Aegis', but said he was not seeking a seat on the Aegis board. The financial press, however, seemed underwhelmed by details of Bollore's strategic plan for Havas, though he did indicate it was his plan to stay with the company for the long-term. He said Havas expects to deliver an operation margin of nearly 10 percent for 2005, compared with an 11.5 percent margin in 2004.