Havas, the agency holding company based in Suresnes, France, saw a revenue increase of 7.2% to $510 million for the first quarter of 2012.
Organic growth, excluding acquisitions and exchange rate variations, was 3.5%.
The French communications group, whose networks include Euro RSCG, Arnold and MPG Media, suffered mixed fortunes in Europe but posted more solid results elsewhere in the world.
Its North American business grew 3.6%, just slightly better than French rival Publicis Groupe, which last week reported 3.3% growth in the region. Digital, health care and media performed strongest for Havas in the region.
Havas’ home territory, France, reported growth of 5.1% in the first quarter, and Germany and Italy also posted what Mr. Jones called “highly satisfactory” growth. The U.K., however, suffered what he called a “temporary slowdown in marketing services,” and revenue fell 0.2%.
Havas’ figures are very different from those of French rival Publicis Groupe, which reported growth of 8.6% in the U.K., but a drop in Italy.
David Jones, global CEO of Havas, said in a statement: “The group achieved good growth in the first quarter of 2012, despite a high comparative benchmark. A particular highlight was the strong performance in France given what remains an uncertain economic environment in Europe.”
Asia/Pacific reported growth of 12.2% and Latin America also posted double-digit growth, with Mexico and Argentina performing well, while digital and media also helped boost growth.
Havas claimed net new business of $796.8 million, with Euro RSCG winning Yili dairy in China, Lycra globally, Playstation Network and PS+ in North America and Nokia digital in India. Havas Media wins include Burger King for Cake U.K., Edun for MPG in the U.S. and Hyundai for MPG China.
As announced, Havas will drop the Euro RSCG brand name and replace it with Havas Worldwide on Sep. 1.
At the same time, the group will introduce an umbrella brand, Havas Digital, to make it easier to sell its digital capabilities. Meanwhile, rival Publicis continued to grow its own digital resources, announcing the acquisition today of India’s Indigo Consulting, a developer of websites, software solutions and digital marketing programs for clients including HSBC, Tata AIG Insurance and South Australia Tourism. Publicis said Indio will operate, under its own name, as a unit within Leo burnett Group in India.
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