Worldwide Research Network 'Important' to Bolloré

French multi-millionaire investor Vincent Bolloré has told the UK's Financial Times he is looking at increasing his investments in the market research sector.

He already holds a 6% stake in Harris Interactive and a 40% stake in French MR firm CSA.

Analysts have generally assumed that in the event of a successful takeover of Aegis, Bolloré would envisage selling off MR arm Synovate – but the comments, made to the FT at the Cannes Lions Advertising Festival, indicate this might not be the case. Bolloré said research was 'very relevant for the future' and that 'a research network throughout the world' was 'important'.

Aegis shareholders have now rejected Groupe Bolloré's two nominees for the board at four successive General Meetings (www.mrweb.com/drno/news6837.htm for the latest), backing the Aegis board's view that the appointments would create a conflict of interest. The FT quotes Bolloré as saying 'we all know that Aegis alone will not survive as an independent' and that as a minimum 'commercial links' between it and Havas represent 'the best solution'.

The FT is online at www.ft.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.