HAVAS goes public, lists on Euronext Amsterdam

Communications and marketing agency Havas has been listed on Euronext Amsterdam under the ticker 'HAVAS' and the ISIN code NL0015002AH0, officially making it a public company. This milestone follows the completion of its spin-off from Vivendi SE and the distribution of Havas' ordinary shares to Vivendi shareholders on a one-for-one basis. 

According to the company, the strategic transaction will provide Havas with opportunities to accelerate its growth and solidify its position as a global creative and strategic leader in the marketing and communications industry. 

At the same time, it will support the agency in executing its converged strategy through acquisitions and investments in growth drivers such as data, technology and AI. The converged strategy aims to implement a group-wide operating system to fuse all Havas' global expertise, tools and capabilities and further integrate its networks and agencies worldwide. 

Don't miss: Havas says it experienced 'negative publicity' and 'reputational harm' for taking fossil fuel client 

"The successful completion of Havas’s spin-off and listing on Euronext Amsterdam marks a pivotal step towards the realisation of our long-term vision. It gives us additional flexibility to accelerate our growth across our key business lines and strengthens our unique position within the dynamic marketing and communications industry," said Yannick Bolloré, chairman and CEO of Havas. 

"Our converged strategy, enhanced by exceptional talent, data-driven insights, cutting-edge technology, and targeted acquisitions, places us in the best possible position to be even more creative and strategic, and deliver robust financial performance, creating long-term value for our shareholders. I would like to thank our talented teams for all their hard work and commitment throughout this process, and all our clients for their trust," added Bolloré (pictured). 

As a public company, Havas aims to achieve an adjusted EBIT margin ranging between 14.0% and 15.0% by no later than the financial year ended 31 December 2028. Havas is also aiming to generate contributions to net revenue from new acquisitions averaging between €40 million and €50 million per year. Meanwhile, for the year ended 31 December 2025, Havas added it can achieve a net revenue in excess of 2.0% and an adjusted EBIT margin ranging between 12.5% and 13.5%.

According to a statement seen by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, Havas intends to provide a regular return on capital to its shareholders through an annual dividend payment.  This payment is expected to represent around 40% of the net income (group share) for the relevant financial year, starting in 2025 for the financial year ending 31 December 2024.

Havas made numerous headlines in 2024. Most recently in November, the agency warned investors that it experienced "significant negative publicity and corresponding reputational harm" for taking on a client in the fossil fuels sector.

"The group has faced, and is likely to continue to face, negative publicity based on the identity of its clients and the public’s (or certain segments of the public’s) view of those clients, irrespective of the nature of the group’s services to those clients," said Havas in a prospectus listing. 

In the same prospectus listing, Havas said that the group may fall short of stakeholder expectations relating to ethical, environmental, social and governance considerations in ways that materially adversely impact the group's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. It added that such negative publicity and reputational harm may negatively impact the group’s ability to attract and retain clients, employees, suppliers and other partners.

"Additionally, the group may face pressure to not do business in certain industries or sectors that are viewed as harmful to the environment or are otherwise negatively perceived," said Havas. 

"The group may also be subject to reputational harm by virtue of its delivery of crisis management services, particularly where such services are delivered in the context of a controversial event that is negatively perceived by the public or certain segments of the public," it added. 

Havas is not the only company to make headlines on the global network agency scene. Recently Omnicom announced its acquisition of IPG which shook the industry. The combined company will bring together the industry’s deepest bench of marketing talent, and the broadest and most innovative services and products, driven by the most advanced sales and marketing platform.  

Together, the companies will expand their capacity to create comprehensive full-funnel solutions that deliver better outcomes for the world’s most sophisticated clients. Upon the acquisition, the new Omnicom will have over 100,000 expert practitioners. The company will deliver end-to-end services across media, precision marketing, CRM, data, digital commerce, advertising, healthcare, public relations and branding. 

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