Groupe Bollore has continued to raise its share in Aegis, with the latest reports revealing that Vincent Bollore has purchased more shares, increasing his stake in the media and communications agency to 19.1%, up from the 17.4% level announced on Saturday.
Bollore is moving closer and closer to holding a 25% level in the company, which would give him a minority blocking level for the group.
Up until now the French entrepreneur has said that his Aegis shares are for purely financial reasons, but industry speculation claim that he is interested in securing a deal in media space purchasing between Havas and Aegis.
Havas has stated that the continued acquisition of Aegis shares by its chairman are in his capacity as chief executive of Groupe Bollore, and not as head of Havas (see Havas Denies Takeover Rumours).
However, Robert Lerwill, chief executive officer of Aegis, said that there is a “certain logic” to a partnership in media with Havas (see Lerwill Says There Is Logic To Partnership With Havas).
Earlier this week, French advertising group, Publicis has announced that it has decided not to make an offer for Aegis, saying in a statement that making an offer for Aegis was not “in the best interests of its shareholders (see Publicis Backs Down From Aegis Take-Over).”
At the end of last week, WPP also confirmed its interest in Aegis saying that it is considering a bid for the company, with its main interest in the Synovate market research operation (see WPP Confirms Bid For Aegis).
However, although Aegis has confirmed that preliminary merger talks have been held with several potential bidders, the firm has stated that there can be “no certainty” that an offer for the company will result.
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