Havas

Ex-Omnicom and IPG Staff Launch Indie Agencies

Former employees of holding companies Omnicom and IPG have launched a wave of independent agencies that reject traditional full-time-equivalent (FTE) commercial models. Examples include This Will Be Good (co‑founded by Bennie Reed, Daniel Beaudoing and Brian Linder), London’s Ace of Hearts (founded by Richard Brim, Martin Beverley and Polly McMorrow) and several small studios such as House of Rabbits, Memory and TightKnit. These indies emphasize lean staffing, freelance talent and alternative commercial arrangements (performance fees, project fees, subscriptions or equity). Some founders say their training at large networks provided valuable experience, but the new agencies aim to be “fitter for the future” by avoiding large overheads and traditional rate-card models.

Havas posts modest growth and raises media stake

French advertising holding Havas reported organic growth of 2.5% for the reporting period and released its half-year figures. In the second quarter the listed agency group's net revenue rose 2.5% to €724 million. The company, led by CEO Yannick Bolloré, also increased its shareholding in a media conglomerate that is controlled by the Bolloré family, the same family that controls Havas.

Havas Embraces AI-First Identity as Revenue Grows

Havas reported modest organic growth in Q2 2026 and is positioning itself around an "AI-first identity" strategy. Q2 net revenue was €724 million ($824 million), up 3.8% year-over-year, while Q2 organic growth was 2.5%, unchanged from Q1. First-half 2026 revenue reached €1.42 billion with net revenue of €1.36 billion, a 1.2% increase YoY. North America posted stronger performance, with organic net revenue growth of 6.4% in Q2 and 6.9% for the first half of 2026. The company forecasts 2%–3% organic growth for the remainder of 2026.