MUMBAI: The Havas Group posted revenue of $654.41 million for H1 2012 ended 30 June 2012. This is a 7.7 per cent increase from $607.58 in H1 2011.
The group‘s income from operations for H1 2012 increased by 4.21 per cent to $125.72 million, compared to $120.64 million reported for H1 2011.
Geographically, Europe continued to be the media group‘s strength with $529.34 million coming in revenue from the region followed by North America ($358.10 million) and Asia Pacific and Latin America bringing in $165.08 million.
The group‘s Q2 revenue stood at $561.28 million, a 9.40 per cent rise from Q2 FY12‘s $513.03 million. During this period too, Europe led the share of revenue with $284.45 million followed by North America with $185.40 million and APAC+Lat Am bringing in $$91.43 million.
Havas CEO David Jones said, "All our regions continued to deliver growth in the first half led by Asia, Latin America, digital, media and healthcare. New Business performance strengthened in H1 2012, delivering one of the best half-year new business results in recent years with major wins including Novartis, GSK, Hershey‘s (digital), Intel Asus, (global), Sony Playstation, New York Life, Atlantic City, Lycra (USA), Yili in Asia, Nokia in India and Volvo in China, to name but a few. We made a number of targeted acquisitions during the first half of 2012, bringing into the group innovative agencies and talent adept at using digital technology and creativity to meet the future needs of our clients."
Over the first half of 2012, Havas made a number of acquisitions of agencies representing a total investment of approximately $44.45 million. These targeted acquisitions made to reinforce the group‘s digital, technology and creative resources and are in line with the Group‘ strategy.
The group acquired agencies Boondoggle, Ignition, Victors and Spoils, Creative Lynx, Mediaxis and launched Havas Media Ortega in Philippines.
The agency won some prominent accounts like Expedia (Euro RSCG 4D Matrix), Nokia (digital business won by Euro RSCG), Parle (media account won by MPG) and TVS Tyres (media account won by MPG) in India.
