VINCENT BOLLORE NAMED HAVAS CHAIRMAN

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Nearly a month after the resignation of its longtime chairman-CEO, Alain de Pouzilhac, embattled agency holding company Havas today named Philippe Wahl as CEO and Vincent Bollore, the company's single largest shareholder, as chairman of its board of directors. Related Stories: JEAN-MARIE DRU DECLINES HAVAS OFFER Elects to Stay as Head of TBWA Worldwide VINCENT BOLLORE PLANS FURTHER INCREASE IN HAVAS STAKE Negotiating Sale of $600 Million Shipping Company to Raise More Capital DE POUZILHAC IS OUT AS HAVAS CHAIRMAN AND CEO Vincent Bollore's Triumph Is Capped at Board Meeting TBWA CEO JEAN-MARIE DRU NEGOTIATING EXIT Said to Be in Final Talks to Join Havas VINCENT BOLLORE ACQUIRES MORE HAVAS STOCK Expresses 'Surprise' That Havas Chairman Will Not Resign BOLLORE WINS FOUR BOARD SEATS IN HAVAS STRUGGLE Alain de Pouzilhac Fails in Quest to Block Raider BOLLORE SAYS STAKE IN HAVAS IS 'FOR THE LONG TERM' Defends Intentions as Critical June 9 Vote Nears HAVAS BOLSTERS POSITION AGAINST BOLLORE Advisory Firms Recommend Against Raider's Board Candidates HAVAS REJECTS BOLLORE'S BID FOR BOARD SEATS Suspense Heightens as June Shareholders Meeting Approaches VINCENT BOLLORE MANEUVERS TOWARD JUNE HAVAS SHOWDOWN Corporate Raider Wants Four Seats on Board HAVAS STALKER VINCENT BOLLORE MAKES NEW MOVE Uses 55.1 Million Havas Shares as Collateral for Large Loan MAJOR HAVAS SHAREHOLDER UPS STAKE Vincent Bollore Now Has 20% of Holding Company Mr. Wahl is the former general manager of French savings bank group Caisse D?Epargne and a consultant to various companies, including La Poste, France?s postal operator. Moving on without Dru Today?s announcement comes not long after Mr. Bollore?s attempt to woo TBWA Worldwide CEO Jean-Marie Dru to Havas failed. Mr. Bollore today continued to try to allay concerns that he might sell off parts of Havas. ?My personal contribution at the head of the Havas Group demonstrates the long-term commitment of the Bollore Group to the strategic development and growth of Havas and its activities,? he said in a statement. Mr. Bollore, a French industrialist and corporate raider known for acquiring companies and then dismembering them to sell the parts, has in the last year become Havas' largest single stockholder. In June he won a battle with Mr. de Pouzilhac, to have himself and three of his companies' executives added to Havas' board. Mr. de Pouzilhac resigned his position June 21 as chairman-CEO, retaining only his position as a continuing board member of the company. Strategic committee The board today also appointed three executives, Ed Eskandarian, CEO of Arnold Worldwide Partners; Jacques Seguela, Havas? chief creative officer; and Fernando Rodes, CEO of MPG and a Havas director; as vice chairmen. The executives, along with Mr. Bollore and Havas director Leopoldo Rodes, father of Fernando Rodes, will participate in a strategic committee, led by the senior Mr. Rodes. Havas also elevated a number of Euro RSCG Worldwide executives to the post of managing director, including three from France and one from the U.S., saying they ?symobolize the participation of a new generation of management in the group.? The new French managing directors are Mercedes Erra, chairman of Euro RSCG France; Stephane Fouks, CEO of Euro RSCG Worldwide, France; and Remi Babinet, creative director, Euro RSCG Worldwide, France. From the U.S. is David Jones, a Brit who became CEO of Euro RSCG Worldwide?s New York office last September. Euro's Jim Heekin Not mentioned in any of the board?s management changes is Jim Heekin, chairman-CEO of Euro RSCG Worldwide. Mr. Heekin, according to one executive familiar with the matter, met late last night with Mr. Bollore in Paris, and Mr. Bollore, according to this executive, told Mr. Heekin he would very much like him to remain with the global network. Mr. Bollore could not be reached at press time. There is speculation within the industry that Mr. Heekin is in talks with Havas rival WPP Group to become CEO of Grey Worldwide, the agency network of WPP?s Grey Global Group. Ed Meyer, CEO of Grey Global Group, said, ?I?ve always had a high opinion of Jim Heekin,? but declined to comment further, citing a policy of not commenting on rumors and speculation. Several industry executives have pointed to talks Mr. Heekin and Mr. Meyer held in September 2003 about Mr. Heekin?s joining Grey Worldwide to take over responsibilities handled by Steve Blamer, who was in negotiations to move to Interpublic?s Foote Cone & Belding. But, according to knowledgeable executives, Mr. Heekin's discussion with Grey ended when Mr. Blamer opted to remain at Grey.

VINCENT BOLLORE NAMED HAVAS CHAIRMAN

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