Havas posted improved growth in the half year to June as the France-based advertising group reported “numerous” new business wins.
Organic growth was up 2.3% in the half year, hitting 2.6% in the June quarter, up from 2.1% in the March quarter.
In North America, representing 35% of net revenue, organic growth accelerated to 4.6% in the June quarter, driven by the Havas Health business line double-digit organic growth
This put organic growth in North America at 3.9% for the first half of 2025, compared to -6.4% for the same half in 2024.
The only region not to report growth was APAC Africa, with net revenue down 1.8%, mainly due to less client spending in China.
The company reaffirmed guidance of net revenue growth of 2% for the full year.
"Havas has delivered a solid first half of the year, achieving organic growth of +2.3% and driving dynamic new business momentum, particularly in North America, along with numerous integrated wins we are especially proud of,” said CEO Yannick Bolloré.
“The rollout of our global strategy and operating system, launched one year ago and now evolved into Converged.AI to reflect its expanded capabilities, is clearly bearing fruit and delivering meaningful impact for our clients worldwide.
“As we continue to scale our AI-powered product suite, we are committed to equipping all our teams with the knowledge and tools to fully embrace its potential, ensuring that technology and creativity reinforce one another across every part of our organisation.
“We are maintaining a strong pace in M&A, with five new agency acquisitions completed during the first half of the year, and continue to forge strategic partnerships, most recently with Ostro and YouGov.”
The result compares well to its global peers which reported mixed results.
Publics Group topped the league table with organic revenue at 5.4% in the June quarter.
Omnicom reported organic revenue growth of 3% for the June quarter and forecasts a full year outlook at 2.5% to 4.5%.
IPG reported a negative organic growth of - 3.5% for the June quarter.
And WPP has downgraded its like-for-like revenue outlook for the full year to -3% to -5% with weaker than expected client spend and slipping net new business.
At Havas, staff costs increased just 1.6% compared to the first half of 2024, below the percentage increase in net revenue.
Restructuring costs hit 7 million euros in the first half of 2025, compared to 11 million euros in the same six months of 2024.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to invest €400 million by 2027 in data, technology, and artificial intelligence.
Over the six months, Havas pursued its strategy of bolt-on and targeted acquisitions, acquiring majority stakes in five agencies in Canada, France, the US, Argentina and Spain.
Key client wins in the first half of 2025 for Havas Media: Campos Coffee, Carl Buddig, Collegium Pharmaceutical, Dr. Theiss, Elizabeth Arden, Hourglass Cosmetics, Isdin, Liverpool, MagicBricks, PINSA, Rush Gaming, CaixaBank, Cencosud, Generalitat de Catalunya, Lombard Odier, Olive Garden, Pennylane, PKO BP, Rahat Rooh, Realme, TIM.
And on the creative side: Asahi, Carl Buddig, Citeo, EDF, EPI COMPANY, Honor, Jacuzzi, Lidl, Nacional Monte de Piedad, Ocado, PKO Bank, RTX, TIM Brazil, Under Armour, Yili Milk Co., LTD, American Residential Services, Google, Meta, Toyota.
First half numbers:
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