Bollore Continues Aegis Share Purchases

Vincent Bollore is continuing his relentless acquisition of shares in media buying firm Aegis, announcing that his overall stake in the company now totals 21.31%, following the purchase of 3 million shares in the firm yesterday.

The purchase, which cost Bollore £3.7 million, was made through the Frenchman’s company Financiere Du Loch and is the latest in a long line of share purchases by the entrepreneur.

Bollore has increased his stake in Aegis steadily since the end of September, when he held a stake of around 6% in the company (see Increased Stake Fuels Bollore/Aegis Rumours).

In the early stages of his acquisition marathon, Bollore was reported as stating: “Maybe Aegis will be a long-term shareholding one day, but for the moment it is a financial one.”

However, speculation is continuing to mount over Bollore’s plans for the company. Publicis chief executive Maurice Levy told reporters yesterday that “the position of Bollore is such that he is the one who will make the decision” regarding Aegis’ future ownership (see ‘Little Possibility” Of Renewed Aegis Bid Says Levy).

Media giant WPP is understood to be plotting a bid for control of Aegis’ research arm Synovate, although a deadline of 25 November has been set for a firm approach by the company following seemingly endless speculation over WPP’s intentions (see WPP Given Deadline For Aegis Bid).

Aegis Group: 020 7070 7700 www.aegisplc.com