MAM
Havas slams the door on WPP takeover chatter
PARIS: Yannick Bolloré has had enough of the gossip. The Havas chief executive told employees on 17 November that his French advertising group is “not in discussions with WPP” about taking a stake in the embattled British rival—despite a weekend of frenzied speculation that sent WPP’s battered shares rocketing 11 per cent.
The Times had reported that Havas was eyeing either a chunk of WPP or its media agency arm, prompting talk that private equity sharks Apollo and KKR were also circling. An American advertising executive poured petrol on the flames by telling Adweek the two sides were in “very serious” discussions. By Monday morning, WPP shares were the FTSE 100’s biggest climber.
Bolloré’s internal memo, seen by multiple outlets, sought to kill the chatter stone dead. “Given the recent press coverage amplifying these rumours and the questions we’ve received from colleagues and clients, we want to clarify that we are not in discussions with WPP,” he wrote. Havas, he noted, delivered 3.8 per cent organic growth in the third quarter—outpacing rivals whilst WPP stumbles.
The Paris-based group does have an appetite for deals, Bolloré acknowledged, but prefers “bolt-on and targeted acquisitions” to mega-mergers. “While we could consider a larger acquisition aligned with our strategy,” he added, “there are currently no ongoing discussions of that nature.”
WPP needs all the help it can get. Its shares plunged 16 per cent in late October to their lowest level since 1998, after another round of missed forecasts. Chief executive Cindy Rose called the performance “unacceptable” and drafted in McKinsey to devise a turnaround strategy. The company’s market value has cratered from £25 billion in 2017 to roughly £3 billion today, putting its FTSE 100 membership in jeopardy.
The frenzy underscores how desperate investors are for consolidation in a sector squeezed by digital platforms and shrinking budgets. Omnicom’s $13.5 billion swoop on Interpublic Group is set to close this month, whilst Dentsu is mulling a sale of its international operations.
For now, though, Havas is keeping its powder dry. Bolloré signed off by urging staff to ignore the “rumours and noise” and focus on the firm’s AI-driven strategy. Translation: don’t hold your breath for a white knight rescue of WPP.
Here’s the full contents of the internal note:
Dear all,
It’s our policy not to comment on market rumors, however, given the recent press coverage amplifying these rumors and the questions we’ve received from colleagues and clients, we want to clarify that we are not in discussions with WPP.
As you know, Havas has delivered strong results over the past months in a world full of uncertainties. In Q3, we achieved organic growth of +3.8%, outperforming the market, reflecting remarkable client wins and expanded collaborations with long-standing partners. Thanks to your commitment and energy, we continue to reinforce our market position and drive growth.
Havas has a strategy of bolt-on and targeted acquisitions that contributes to our strong momentum, alongside strategic partnerships. While we could consider a larger acquisition aligned with our strategy, as stated during our Q3 earnings announcement a few weeks ago, there are currently no ongoing discussions of that nature.
Undistracted by rumors and noise, we remain focused on accelerating the deployment of our Converged.AI strategy, driving group-wide AI adoption, and delivering excellence for our clients and prospects.
Let’s keep pushing forward with ambition and confidence, shaping the future of our industry together.
Sincerely,
Yannick
MAM
Barista partners Ginny Weds Sunny 2 with mango campaign
Cafe chain blends cinema buzz with summer menu and 20 per cent offer.
MUMBAI: Love may brew slowly, but marketing clearly doesn’t especially when coffee meets cinema and mangoes steal the spotlight. Barista Coffee Company has partnered with the upcoming hindi film Ginny Weds Sunny 2 as its official beverage partner, in a move aimed at tapping into youth culture through entertainment-led engagement. The collaboration is not just a logo placement exercise. Instead, Barista is translating the film’s high-energy vibe into its cafés with a themed summer menu titled “Main Hoon Mango”, accompanied by a limited-period 20 per cent discount on combo offerings across outlets.
Actors Medha Shankr and Avinash Tiwary feature in the campaign, seen engaging with the mango-themed menu inside Barista cafés, a visual cue designed to blur the lines between reel and real-life consumption moments.
The strategy reflects a broader shift in how consumer brands are leveraging hindi film industry not just for visibility, but for immersive, on-ground engagement. By embedding the film’s narrative into its product experience, Barista is aiming to drive footfall, especially among younger audiences who increasingly seek experiential touchpoints over traditional advertising.
Barista Coffee Company CEO Rajat Agrawal described the partnership as both a branding and growth play, focused on expanding reach beyond the existing customer base and aligning with evolving consumer preferences.
The emphasis on a seasonal, flavour-led hook mango, one of India’s most culturally resonant ingredients adds a timely layer to the campaign, aligning with summer consumption trends while riding on the film’s promotional momentum.
For Barista, the move is part of a larger positioning shift. Rather than operating purely as a coffee retail chain, the brand is increasingly framing itself as a lifestyle destination, one that intersects with entertainment, conversation and shared experiences. By integrating cinema into its physical spaces, Barista is effectively turning cafés into micro-extensions of the film’s universe, where consumers do not just watch a story unfold but participate in it sip by sip.
The 20 per cent offer further nudges trial, lowering the barrier for consumers to engage with the themed menu while amplifying recall through a tangible incentive.
Brand-film collaborations are hardly new, but their execution is evolving. Where earlier partnerships relied on co-branded ads or product placements, the current playbook leans towards immersive storytelling and retail integration.
In that sense, Barista’s “Main Hoon Mango” push is less about promotion and more about participation inviting consumers to experience a slice of the film within a familiar, everyday setting. As the film industry continues to act as a cultural amplifier, such partnerships underline a growing truth, in today’s attention economy, it is not enough to be seen brands must be experienced.
And if that experience comes with a mango twist and a cinematic backdrop, all the better.
