Brands
eBay gives fans of reality TV the chance to pitch ideas
MUMBAI: Two of the hottest pop culture icons in the US reality TV and online auction forum, eBay are coming together for the first time. The funds raised will go to a childrens foundation.
From 27 March 2004 at www.ebay.com/psiloveyou, reality TV fans who think they have the next blockbuster idea for a hit reality TV show will get their first of three chances to bid for the opportunity to pitch that idea to reality TV executives. 48 10 minute, face-to-face meetings with Los Angeles studio executives and reality TV show decision-makers will go up on the auction block in three phases of 16 three-day auctions each.
The high bidders will be invited to Los Angeles in May to pitch their ideas to 3 Ball Productions. The company produced the show For Love or Money. One finalist will then be invited to wow a major Hollywood television network studio and convince them to turn his or her idea into America’s next new reality series.
All proceeds from the auctions will go toward the P.S. I Love You Foundation. The non-profit organization is dedicated to assisting at-risk Southern California children through an array of education and community outreach programmes. In addition to the online event the foundation will have a fundraiser on 27 March in Manhattan. Ticket-holders to the gala will have the opportunity to bid on the first two face-to-face, reality TV pitch meetings at a live auction and raffle that evening.
They will also have the chance to rub elbows with dozens of reality celebrities from For Love or Money, The Apprentice, Survivor, Real World, The Bachelor, and others. They will be mingling and manning casino tables.
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.
