• by Joe Mandese , Yesterday

Through a series of transactions, Havas Chairman-CEO Yannick Bolloré strengthened his position in the Paris-based agency holding company. The disclosure, made as part of a "solid" first-quarter earnings release, gives Bolloré family-controlled Compagnie de l’Etoile des Mers a 22% share of Havas N.V. capital, and total combined Bolloré entities 53% of its capital.

While the release doesn't explicitly state the exact percentage they held prior to this quarter, the phrasing "strengthened its stake" and the consolidation of Yannick Bolloré’s private holdings into the main corporate vehicle indicate a strategic move to solidify majority control and simplify the ownership hierarchy.

“Havas has started 2026 on a solid footing, continuing its momentum and delivering organic growth in net revenue of +2.5%," Bolloré stated, adding the holdco's performance is in line with its full-year 2026 guidance and was driven by continued strength in the U.S. (see results below).