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Havas CEO Yannick Bolloré joins father Vincent at French media giant Vivendi

Life’s never dull with a Bolloré or three around and now Vincent Bolloré has tightened his grip on French media giant Vivendi by appointing son Yannick, also CEO of Bolloré-owned Havas, to Vivendi’s supervisory board. Bolloré senior, who has numerous commercial interests outside Vivendi and Havas, managed by son Cyrille (below left with Vincent and Yannick) now owns 14.4 per cent of Vivendi, a company approximately the size of WPP.

Les fils Cyrille Bollore (gauche), directeur general delegue de Bollore, Yannick Bollore, directeur general delegue de Havas, et leur pere Vincent Bollore (centre), PDG du groupe Bollore The move is bound to lead to speculation that a formal tie-up between Vivendi and Havas, which has gained new momentum under Bolloré rule, is more likely than ever. Formal tie-up or not, the two entities seem bound to collaborate in that uniquely Gallic way.

Yannick says he is “delighted to have the chance to support the group in its ambitious plan to redevelop its content and media.” Vivendi owns Universal Music and Canal+. Havas agencies include Havas Worldwide, Arnold and BETC.

Vivendi recently bought a 3.5 per cent stake in Italy’s Mediaset and took full control of its pay television business. Mediaset is controlled by that other colourful tycoon, Silvio Berlusconi.

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