HAVAS: Organic Growth: + 7.4% for Q1 2008

    SURESNES, France, April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- "Havas reported
 organic growth for first quarter 2008 in line with expectations. This
 confirms the positive trend observed throughout 2007, underscores the
 validity of our business model based on integration with digital at the
 core and reflects our stronger position in key markets," Fernando Rodes
 Vila, Chief Executive Officer of the Havas Group.
 
     1. General comments
 
     Havas reported organic growth of +7.4% at constant exchange rates and
 consolidation scope.
 
     Q1 2008 revenue was EUR345 million, an increase of +2.5% over 2007,
 despite the appreciation of the Euro against the US dollar and GB pound,
 which had a negative impact on the Group of EUR20 million over the first
 three months of the year.
 
     Net new business for the first quarter was EUR 510 million, 33% higher
 than the quarterly average in 2007.
 
     Finally, all the Group's key performance indicators are in line with
 expectations.
 
     One of the highlights of the first quarter has been the expansion of
 the Group's presence in the UK and in the US thanks to:
 
     - the acquisition of BLM, the leading independent media agency, which
 has combined with Arena Media Communications (part of Havas Media) in a
 deal which doubles Havas' media presence in the UK. In addition, BLM
 Quantum in combination with Media Contacts becomes the second largest
 digital media group in this key market.
 
     - the acquisition of CAKE, the leading independent branded
 entertainment agency in the UK, which will join Havas Entertainment (part
 of Havas Media); its results will be consolidated with effect from April 1,
 2008.
 
     - the acquisition of KADIUM, a strong digital agency in California,
 that we have merged with our advertising agency Euro RSCG San Francisco in
 keeping with our strategy of integrating digital vs leaving in a silo.
 
     2. Detailed calculation of organic growth by region
 
     EUROPE
 
     Growth was sustained across Europe as a whole, with Spain, Portugal,
 Italy and Germany achieving double-digit growth; all the other major
 countries reported continued growth.
 
     NORTH AMERICA
 
     North America saw a significant increase in growth across all our
 businesses.
 
     REST OF WORLD
 
     Asia Pacific maintained its trend of double-digit growth. In Latin
 America, growth in advertising and media expertise remained satisfactory in
 most countries with the exception of Puerto Rico and Colombia.
 
     3. Net New Business(1) in Q1 2008
 
     Net New Business was EUR 510 million in the first quarter of 2008.
 
     4. Creativity
 
     The BIG WON Report (Worldwide Rankings) ranked BETC Euro RSCG the
 world's 5th most awarded agency in TV and Euro RSCG 4D Amsterdam the
 world's 8th most awarded agency for digital, as well as 10th best digital
 campaign worldwide for Volvo 'The Hunt' (plus a 16th place for Volvo 'A
 Product of Free Will').
 
     Arnold Boston's "Singing Cowboy" campaign for American Legacy was voted
 most awarded campaign worldwide in TV and 2nd most awarded campaign (all
 categories). Arnold featured in the Top 20 (no. 18) of the world's most
 awarded agencies.
 
     Campaign Brief (Asia Pacific) put The Furnace Sydney (Australia) in its
 Top 3 Hottest Agencies (under Aus$ 100 million). Euro RSCG Shanghai was
 ranked 8th and Euro RSCG Flagship (Thailand) 7th.
 
     At the first Asia Pacific Effies, The Furnace took Silver for its Skins
 (sportswear) campaign.
 
     At the Asia Pacific Advertising Festival (ADFEST), Euro RSCG Flagship
 won 2 Silver awards (Nanyang Sandals), while Euro RSCG India took 1 Bronze
 for Reckitt Benckiser and Euro RSCG Kuala Lumpur 1 Bronze for Penline Art
 Supplies.
 
     The latest RECMA Compitches Report (Media Agency competitiveness)
 ranked MPG UK 3rd in Europe and 5th in the overall table. MPG USA came in
 at 7th in the US ranking.
 
     Euro RSCG Prague, was named Agency of the Year in the Czech Republic
 for the second year running.
 
     BETC Euro RSCG was named Agency of the Year in France.
 
     Top Com Corporate Business (France) awarded Euro RSCG C&O its Grand
 Prix in the Strategy Communication/B2B category for EDF 'L'avenir est un
 choix de tous les jours'.
 
     Mobius Festival:
 
     A Best of Show TV award went to the INPES Free Hugs campaign by BETC
 Euro RSCG and a Winner each for PSA, TV Canal+ ('Brokeback Mountain'
 campaign) and Canal Sat ('The Experts' campaign).
 
     Best of Show Cinema In Flight went to the American Legacy Singing
 Cowboy campaign by Arnold Boston, plus 1 Winner in the Outdoor category for
 Dulcolax by Euro RSCG Dusseldorf.
 
     5. Calendar
 
     The combined shareholders' meeting will be held on May 29, 2008 at 8.00
 a.m. at the Havas head offices in Suresnes.
 
     Revenue for the first half-year of 2008 will be published at the end of
 July.
 
     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:
 http://www.havas.com
 
     Forward-Looking Information
 
     This document contains certain forward-looking statements which speak
 only as of the date on which they are made. Forward-looking statements
 relate to projections, anticipated events or trends, future plans and
 strategies, and reflect Havas' current views about future events. They are
 therefore subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may cause Havas'
 actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any
 forward-looking statement. Factors that could cause actual results to
 differ materially from expected results include changes in the global
 economic environment or in the business environment, and in factors such as
 competition and market regulation. For more information regarding risk
 factors relevant to Havas, please see Havas' filings with the Autorite des
 Marches Financiers (documents in French) and, up to October 2006, with the
 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (documents in English only). Havas
 does not intend, and disclaims any duty or obligation, to update or revise
 any forward-looking statements contained in this document to reflect new
 information, future events or otherwise.
 
     (1) Net New Business :
 
     Net new business represents the estimated annual advertising budgets
 for new business wins (which includes new clients, clients retained after a
 competitive review, and new product or brand expansions for existing
 clients) less the estimated annual advertising budgets for lost accounts.
 Havas' management uses net new business as a measurement of the
 effectiveness of its client development and retention efforts. Net new
 business is not an accurate predictor of future revenues, since what
 constitutes new business or lost business is subject to differing
 judgments, the amounts associated with individual business wins and losses
 depend on estimated client budgets, clients may not spend as much as they
 budget, the timing of budgeted expenditures is uncertain, and the amount of
 budgeted expenditures that translate into revenues depends on the nature of
 the expenditures and the applicable fee structures. In addition, Havas'
 guidelines for determining the amount of new business wins and lost
 business may differ from those employed by other companies.
 
     (1) Net account wins, expressed in estimated annual billings. Full
 definition given on page 6 of this press release.
 
 

     Contacts :
     Communications : Lorella Gessa
     Tel: +33(0)1-58-47-90-36
     lorella.gessa@havas.com
 
     Investor Relations: Herve Philippe
     Chief Financial Officer
     Tel: +33(0)1-58-47-91-23
     relations.actionnaires@havas.com
 
     Elsa Cardarelli
     Tel: +33(0)1-58-47-90-58
     elsa.cardarelli@havas.com
 
 
 

SOURCE Havas