• May 4, 2006

French financier Vincent Bollore's Groupe Bollore has struck a deal to acquire seats on the board of U.K.-based media agency holding company Aegis Group, reports Reuters citing an as-yet-unpublished article in French magazine Challenges. Bollore, who controls 25.8 percent of Aegis, also is the largest shareholder and chairman of French rival Havas. While he has indicated he would prefer to see Aegis continue to operate as an independent company, Bollore's control over Havas progressed in a similar manner. According to the Retuers' report, the magazine article, citing unnamed sources, says Bollore will not seek his own seat on the Aegis board, but will nominate his own candidates.

Amid the continuing takeover speculation, Aegis this morning announced yet another acquisition of its own, disclosing a 70 percent stake in New Voice, a marketing and events firm in China. Terms of the deal are valued at about $9.5 million with an option to acquire the remaining 30 percent for as much as another $5.7 million. "The marketing and communications sector in China is growing at over 20% a year," noted Aegis CEO Robert Lerwill.