Havas Group today

Acquisition of Snyder Communications Inc.

* On April 4, 2000, at the height of the M&A frenzy, Havas Advertising agreed[2] to acquire Snyder Communications, Inc. (SNC) in an all-share transaction, where SNC was valued at US$2.1 billion. Just prior to the takeover, the market capitalisation of SNC was just US$1.3 billion.

SNC was a listed communications group controlled by Daniel Snyder, and their activities were mainly outsourced marketing services, such as Direct marketing, database marketing, proprietary product sampling, sponsored information display in prime locations, call centres, field sales.

* SNC's three divisions: Bounty SCA Worldwide, Arnold Communications and Brann Worldwide were respectively merged with Euro RSCG, Campus, and Diversified Agencies[3]. Arnold Communications becomes Havas' second network, Arnold Worldwide Partners.

* as part of the SNC deal, Havas Advertising lists American Depositary Shares (ADSs) on the NASDAQ National Market System.

* The deal was completed on September 25.

* The stake belonging to Vivendi is diluted to 40% following the acquisition.

Havas S.A.

* 2002. Following the decision of Havas to rename itself Vivendi Universal Publishing and to divest itself of its remaining stake in the Havas Advertising, the name was acquired by the latter. "Havas Advertising" became "Havas" by decision of the annual shareholders meeting held on May 23, 2002.

* 2003. Strategic restructuring and reorganization of the Group around three core divisions announced September : Agencies from the Diversified Agencies division are sold or absorbed into the remaining divisions, Euro RSCG Worldwide (integrated communications); MPG (Media planning and buying) and Arnold Worldwide Partners (advertising).

* 2004. Havas completes its strategic reorganization. In July, Bolloré Group starts to build a stake in Havas. In October, the Company completes a €404 million capital increase which enabled it to reduce its overall debt levels.

* 2005 Bolloré Group obtains 4 seats on the Havas Board at the Shareholders meeting, and seizes control of the Company. Chairman and CEO Alain de Pouzilhac was deposed in a boardroom coup on 21 June 2005. Mr. Bolloré succeeded as Chairman. Other board and management level changes followed.

* 2006. Havas names Fernando Rodés Vilà, son of the founder of Media Planning S.A. Leopoldo Rodés Castañes, as its new CEO in March.

Havas remains listed on Euronext, but announces its plans to delist from the NASDAQ stock exchange as of July 28, 2006.

Services

Havas’ business consists of providing communication consulting services, through traditional advertising in media, a multitude of various marketing services and media expertise.

Traditional advertising services consist of defining the nature, content and illustrating the advertising message for dissemination through traditional media: television, radio and print and display advertising for the promotion of products or brands.

Other marketing services would include marketing strategies designed to acquire customers or clients through specific or specialised audience targeting. These would include Direct Marketing, Sales Promotion, Corporate Communications, Healthcare Communications, Internal Communications, Television Sponsorship, Design, Human Resources communications, New Media & interactive communications, Media planning and media buying.

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