Vivendi Bids for Bolloré's Majority Stake in Havas

Paris-based mass media conglomerate Vivendi has made an offer to buy a EUR 2.36 billion stake in ad group Havas from Chairman Vincent Bolloré, valuing Havas at EUR 9.25 per share.

According to reports, the offer is to buy the 60% stake in Havas owned by Bolloré (pictured), who also owns a stake of more than 20% in Vivendi. Vivendi says the buy would give its group a 'new dimension' to compete against global players.

Bolloré's son Yannick, who is CEO of Havas, told staff in an internal memo that if the deal goes ahead, Havas will bring Vivendi expertise in 'consumer science, content creation and production, and data analytics'.

Web sites: www.vivendi.com and www.havas.com .