Havas Launches Havas Drive, A Revolutionary Agency Focused on the Design of Virtual Environments for Healthcare Professionals and Patients Seeking Medical Information Online

    NEW YORK, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Havas announced today the
 launch of Havas Drive, a new digital healthcare company focused on the
 development of innovative tools designed to drive deep interaction and
 engagement with healthcare professionals and patients seeking medical
 information online. As the first virtual engagement company to develop only
 pay-per-performance products, Havas Drive represents a revolutionary
 approach to building a rich and ongoing dialogue with doctors and patients
 to facilitate the action clients desire for their brands.
 
     Additionally, Havas has chosen WebMD as the exclusive distribution
 partner for Havas Drive's Virtual Convention Booth(TM) offering. Havas will
 market the Virtual Convention Booth to pharmaceutical companies looking to
 reach physicians in innovative ways, and the booth will be available on
 Medscape from WebMD, the leading provider of health information for
 physicians and healthcare professionals. Medscape from WebMD generates more
 than 1.5 million physician visits per month.
 
     "Recognizing a seismic shift in the way people communicate, the Euro
 RSCG Worldwide network recently realigned its structure. By placing
 'digital at the core' of our business, we are able to provide seamless
 through-the-line solutions for our clients that enable them to stay ahead
 of the changing communications landscape," said David Jones, Chief
 Executive Officer, Euro RSCG Worldwide. "Our integrated structure coupled
 with our unparalleled understanding of the healthcare industry has enabled
 us to create forward-looking strategies that reach audiences when and where
 they want to be reached. Havas Drive's unique offering delivers innovation
 with built-in return-on-investment (ROI), as the clients only pay for
 results."
 
     "Havas is continuously evolving and innovating to meet the needs of the
 market. WebMD is pleased to be collaborating with Havas as an important
 agency partner on the Virtual Convention Booth," said Wayne Gattinella,
 CEO, WebMD. "As the leading provider of health information, WebMD is
 committed to providing physicians with tools like this that will improve
 their knowledge and provide the best care for patients."
 
     Havas Drive's core services are built around a suite of virtual
 interactive solutions (VI Solutions Suite(TM)) that create engaging and
 intense virtual branding environments. The VI Solutions Suite(TM) includes:
 
     -- Virtual Convention Booth(TM) - a 3-D booth, distributed on Medscape,
 where physicians can experience the convention booth as if they were at the
 live event
 
     -- Virtual Hospital(TM) - a highly immersive interactive experience
 that will surround hospital-based physicians, pharmacists, and
 administrators to deliver core brand clinical messages and showcase gaps in
 patient transitions of care
 
     -- Virtual Detail(TM) - an offering that allows a virtual sales rep to
 deliver a brand detail in a 3-D environment. The experience can be
 delivered live or remotely via the Web or CD-ROM
 
     About Havas
 
     Havas (Euronext Paris: HAV.PA) is a global advertising and
 communications services group. Headquartered in Paris, Havas operates
 through its two worldwide networks, Euro RSCG Worldwide and Havas Media,
 which are headquartered in New York and Barcelona respectively, and through
 a number of independent agencies renowned for their creativity, such as
 Arnold Worldwide Partners. A multicultural and decentralized Group, Havas
 is present in more than 75 countries through its networks of agencies and
 contractual affiliations. The Group offers a broad range of communications
 services, including traditional advertising, direct marketing, media
 planning and buying, corporate communications, sales promotion, design,
 human resources, sports marketing, multimedia interactive communications
 and public relations. Havas employs approximately 14,400 people.
 
     Further information about Havas is available on the company's website:
 www.havas.com
 
     About WebMD
 
     WebMD Health Corp. (Nasdaq:   WBMD) is the leading provider of health
 information services, serving consumers, physicians, healthcare
 professionals, employers and health plans through our public and private
 online portals and health-focused publications. WebMD Health Corp. is a
 subsidiary of HLTH Corporation (Nasdaq:   HLTH).
 
     The WebMD Health Network reaches more than 50 million visitors a month
 through its leading owned and operated health sites that include WebMD
 Health, Medscape, MedicineNet, eMedicine, eMedicine Health, RxList and
 theheart.org.
 
 

     CONTACT:
     Chantal Beaudry
     Euro RSCG Life PR
     212-367-6802
     Chantal.Beaudry@eurorscg.com
 
 

SOURCE Havas