MAM
Visa launches Olympic Mentors scheme
LONDON: Visa EU, a subsidiary of Visa International, has announced the launch of ‘Team Visa’, an integrated sponsorship programme across a number of European markets that combines the popularity and appeal of famous Olympic greats (‘Olympic Mentors’) with the positive influence they will have on the up and coming Olympic and Paralympic stars (Olympic ‘Hopefuls’).
Visa International is a worldwide Olympic partner and the exclusive payment card of next year’s Olympic games in Greece. An official release informs that this is an expansion of Visa’s commitment to the Olympic Movement, National Olympic Committees and national teams, which has been an important factor in ensuring the continuance and success of the Olympic Games.
Across Europe, Visa, in partnership with its member banks, will be supporting a large group of Olympic ‘Hopefuls’. This refers to athletes with potential to get into their national teams for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games or Paralympic Games – through direct financial contributions. These can be used by the athletes to pay for their training and travelling expenses, as well as on-going advise and support from the Team Visa ‘Mentors’.
Visa EU’s executive VP relationship management and marketing Steve Perry said, “We are supporting Team Visa across Europe because the Olympics are all about having pride in your national team, about celebrating national differences and backing local heroes.
Some of the athletes in Team Visa in the UK are 400m Sprinter Daniel Caines who is ranked No.1 in Great Britain, Leanda Cave who became the first ever British female triathlete to win the World Triathlon title in 2002.
The release states that there is a perfect synergy between Visa EU’s brand strategy of ‘The Future Takes Visa’ and supporting the Olympic Hopefuls through Team Visa – the up and coming athletes of the future. The Olympic Hopefuls are critical to the integration of the Olympics within ‘The Future Takes Visa’ as they provide the perfect link between the brand strategy and Olympic values.
Brands
Havas reports solid Q1 2026 with 2.5 per cent organic net revenue growth
Advertising group maintains positive momentum and confirms full-year guidance.
MUMBAI: Havas has started 2026 on a strong note proving that even in uncertain times, its converged model continues to deliver. The global advertising and communications group reported net revenue of €638 million for the first quarter of 2026, representing organic growth of +2.5 per cent compared to the same period last year. This performance was driven particularly by a robust +7.4 per cent organic growth in the United States.
Total revenue for the quarter reached €667 million, with organic growth of +2.8 per cent. Recent acquisitions contributed a positive scope impact of +1.7 per cent, while foreign exchange movements had a negative impact of -5.8 per cent, mainly due to the US dollar and British pound.
Europe, which accounts for 50 per cent of net revenue, delivered +1.1 per cent organic growth, supported by a good performance in France. North America (36 per cent of net revenue) led the way with +7.4 per cent growth, thanks to strong contributions from both Havas Creative and Havas Media. APAC & Africa (8 per cent) saw a decline of -6.2 per cent, while Latin America (6 per cent) remained nearly stable at -0.6 per cent.
Havas chairman and CEO Yannick Bolloré said, “Havas has started 2026 on a solid footing, continuing its momentum and delivering organic growth in net revenue of +2.5 per cent. This performance, in line with our full-year 2026 guidance, was driven in particular by continued strength in the US.”
The group also continued its bolt-on acquisition strategy, acquiring majority stakes in four agencies during the quarter: Acento Public Affairs (Spain), Ctrl Digital (Sweden), Styleheads (Germany), and Eyesight (France).
Havas maintained its strong creative reputation, ranking as a top holding company in the WARC Creative 100 for the sixth consecutive year, with three agencies BETC, Havas Paris, and Havas India placing in the Top 50.
Looking ahead, Havas confirmed its 2026 guidance: organic net revenue growth between +2.0 per cent and +3.0 per cent, adjusted EBIT margin between 13.2 per cent and 13.5 per cent, and a dividend payout ratio of around 40 per cent. The group also reiterated its medium-term targets for 2028.
Despite ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, Havas enters the rest of the year with solid fundamentals and confidence in its ability to deliver sustainable, profitable growth.
In a challenging environment, Havas is proving that its integrated, client-centric model remains resilient delivering steady growth while continuing to invest in creativity and innovation. The first quarter results suggest the group is well-positioned to navigate the year ahead with confidence.
