French entrepreneur and chairman of Havas, Vincent Bollore, continued to increase his stake in media buying firm Aegis today, approaching the 20% mark with the purchase of 9.15 million shares.
The purchase, made through Bollore’s Financiere Du Loch, gives the media boss a total share of 19.96% in the company, which owns and operates the Carat and Vizeum buying brands.
Bollore has steadily increased his share in Aegis over the last few weeks, but has shied away from comments concerning a takeover of the company, instead describing his mounting stake in the firm as a “financial investment.”
However, speculation suggests that Bollore will make a move for control of the firm in the near future, with his rapid increase in shareholding mirroring the method in which he took control of Havas.
Several other firms are believed to be interested in Aegis, meanwhile, with WPP confirming it is considering a bid for the company’s research arm Synovate earlier this month.
Last week saw Publicis announce that it would not pursue a bid for Aegis, ending its interest in the firm which kickstarted speculation over a sale last month.
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