Havas, the fifth-largest communications group in the world, has
paid £2.8 million for the right to retain its name.
The deal with its former stakeholder, Vivendi Universal, follows
research into possible alternative titles by the Paris-based
company.
It means that the group of companies will now be known simply as Havas
and not by its former, official name, Havas Advertising.
Alain de Pouzilhac, the Havas chief executive, said: "We tested some
other names in Europe, the US and the Far East but Havas was always our
first choice. Not only is Havas a strong brand but it underlines our
intention to develop as an international communications group beyond
just advertising."
Havas, which has 300 agencies in 75 countries, operates three major
global divisions - the Euro RSCG Worldwide and Arnold Worldwide Partners
networks and the Media Planning Group.
Earlier this year it lost out to Interpublic in the race to acquire the
True North group and abandoned a bid for Britain's Tempus media buying
group, which is now part of Sir Martin Sorrell's WPP.
