Havas Denies WPP Talks, Prioritizes Targeted APAC Deals
Havas denies WPP takeover rumors and posts an 8.2% APAC rebound, signaling a strategy built on targeted acquisition over mega-mergers.
Havas CEO Yannick Bolloré has publicly denied acquisition discussions with WPP, stating in an internal email that the French holding company is "not in discussions with WPP" and remains focused on targeted acquisitions. The denial follows a report suggesting Havas was considering acquiring WPP, which has faced ongoing business challenges.
Sharp Turnaround in Asia Pacific Performance
Havas' APAC strategy appears to be paying off. The company reported 8.2% organic growth in Asia Pacific and Africa during Q3 2025, a dramatic reversal from the 1.8% decline recorded in the first half of the year. This rebound coincides with the group's aggressive acquisition activity in the region.
"We want to be the best group, not necessarily the biggest," Bolloré stated, emphasizing Havas' approach to growth through strategic deals rather than mega-mergers. The company completes up to 10 acquisitions annually under Bolloré's leadership, focusing on capabilities in data, social media, and e-commerce that are critical for Asia's digital-first markets.
Recent regional acquisitions include Bastion Brands in Australia, which expanded Havas Health & You to 10 APAC markets, including China and Japan, and Klareco Communications in Singapore, strengthening crisis communications capabilities across Southeast Asia. These deals have helped transform healthcare comms into a US$200 million-plus regional revenue stream for the group.
Leighton Cosseboom
Market Positioning Amid Industry Consolidation
Havas' targeted approach contrasts sharply with the industry's trend of mega-mergers. While Omnicom and IPG pursue their combination, Havas recently launched Horizon Holdings, a joint venture with Horizon Media that commands US$20 billion in combined global billings. The partnership aims to capture US-centric global client opportunities during market instability created by larger consolidations.
The company's acquisition of Australian Public Affairs in 2024 marked H/Advisors' first owned strategic comms operation in Australia, further strengthening its public affairs capabilities across the region. Havas also acquired BLKJ in Singapore via shared ownership models to enhance creative capabilities in Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, private equity firms Apollo and KKR have reportedly reviewed WPP's assets, with potential interest in its media division. This creates competitive pressure on Havas' Asia growth ambitions, as WPP Media represents a more than US$6 billion business that could reshape regional media buying dynamics if acquired.
Leighton Cosseboom
Strategic Implications for Marketers
For marketing leaders managing agency rosters, Havas' approach offers an alternative to the disruption that typically follows large-scale mergers. The company's focused acquisitions in healthcare, corporate communications, and public affairs provide specialized capabilities without the integration challenges of mega-deals.
Bolloré emphasized that Havas remains "one of the most acquisitive groups in the industry" and stays open to larger acquisitions if they align with strategy. However, the current focus on targeted deals allows the company to move quickly in high-growth areas while maintaining operational stability.
The group's US$75 million acquisition of FullSix way back in 2015 and majority stake in Uncommon more recently in 2023 demonstrate how selective deals can transform capabilities.
With €1.35 billion (~US$1.44 billion) in net revenue during H1 2025 and 2.3% organic growth globally, Havas positions itself as an agile challenger in markets where larger competitors face integration complexities.
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