Havas North America continues to weigh down growth at the holding company. The region posted an organic revenue decline of 6.4% for the first half, which followed a 4% shortfall in Q1. 

For the first six months NA was the only region to lose ground at the holding company. 

 Havas’ first-half numbers were reported as part of parent Vivendi’s earnings announcement for the period, released earlier today. In Q1 Havas’ North American operations were down 4%. 

Outside of North America, the company was in growth mode, with Europe up 3.8%, Latin America up 8.8% and Asia-Pacific up 0.5%.  

Overall, for the first half, revenues were flat on an organic basis.  

On a reported basis Havas revenue was up 3.6% to 1.366 billion euros. That growth was due in part to acquisitions although the company stated that globally, its creative and media divisions “posted strong performances.” 

Earlier in the week Vivendi issued an update on its plan to split into several separate companies, reporting that the Bollore Group could end up with a 30.6% ownership stake and possibly 40% of the company’s voting rights.  

In June Havas unveiled a strategic plan, dubbed "Converged," that includes a new holding company-wide operating system built around a commitment to spend $430 million on data, technology -- including AI -- over the next four years.