Takeover battle for Aegis looms on the horizon
In addition to Publicis, the investment firm Hellman & Friedman is apparently also interested—along with WPP.
The French advertising group Publicis is
not the only interested party for Aegis, the parent company of the
Carat media network. On Tuesday, Aegis announced in a short statement
announced that it had been in contact with "more than one
potential bidders" in order to provide these non-public
information about the company.
As Reuters has learned from unnamed insiders, behind
this formulation the investment firm Hellman & Friedman
together with the British advertising holding company WPP. In doing so
WPP is particularly interested in Synovate, the research arm of Aegis.
With Mindshare, Mediaedge CIA and the Grey subsidiary Mediacom, the
Holding already has a strong position in the media sector. Hellman &
Friedman is no stranger to the advertising market. In 1996, the
Frima provides Young & Rubicam advertising agency with a cash injection
on the way to the stock exchange. Together with Havas, it made a bid for Grey
Global Group, and since April it has owned the online advertising specialist
Doubleclick. Hellman & Friedman also holds an interest in the publishing house Axel Springer
and the TV group ProSiebenSat.1.
Another offer for Aegis could also come from Havas. The second
The French advertising holding company said in a statement on Wednesday
all options are open to them, by not being bound by statements made by their Chairman
Vincent Bolloré distanced. Bolloré has gained 12.6 %
of the Aegis shares, but describes this commitment as
purely financial investment. However, Bolloré made these statements
only as head of the Bolloré Group and not in his function
as Havas Chairman, emphasizes the advertising group. This should in no way
This is an indication of Havas' intentions towards Aegis.
not the only interested party for Aegis, the parent company of the
Carat media network. On Tuesday, Aegis announced in a short statement
announced that it had been in contact with "more than one
potential bidders" in order to provide these non-public
information about the company.
As Reuters has learned from unnamed insiders, behind
this formulation the investment firm Hellman & Friedman
together with the British advertising holding company WPP. In doing so
WPP is particularly interested in Synovate, the research arm of Aegis.
With Mindshare, Mediaedge CIA and the Grey subsidiary Mediacom, the
Holding already has a strong position in the media sector. Hellman &
Friedman is no stranger to the advertising market. In 1996, the
Frima provides Young & Rubicam advertising agency with a cash injection
on the way to the stock exchange. Together with Havas, it made a bid for Grey
Global Group, and since April it has owned the online advertising specialist
Doubleclick. Hellman & Friedman also holds an interest in the publishing house Axel Springer
and the TV group ProSiebenSat.1.
Another offer for Aegis could also come from Havas. The second
The French advertising holding company said in a statement on Wednesday
all options are open to them, by not being bound by statements made by their Chairman
Vincent Bolloré distanced. Bolloré has gained 12.6 %
of the Aegis shares, but describes this commitment as
purely financial investment. However, Bolloré made these statements
only as head of the Bolloré Group and not in his function
as Havas Chairman, emphasizes the advertising group. This should in no way
This is an indication of Havas' intentions towards Aegis.
