Havas revenue up 5%, net new business down 14%

Third-quarter revenue for Paris-based holding company Havas ticked up by 5% year-over-year to $543.3 million, the company reported on Oct. 26.

"We delivered strong organic growth in the third quarter of 7.3%, our best organic growth performance in three years,” David Jones, CEO of Havas, said in an earnings statement. “For the first nine months of the year, all our regions grew, led by Latin America and Asia with strong growth in North America. All divisions contributed to our performance including a continued acceleration in digital.”

North America revenue declined this quarter by 1% year-over-year to $176.9 million.

The company generated $492.7 million in net new business for the quarter, a 14% drop compared with the prior year. Among accounts won during the period, Havas listed Hefty naming Euro RSCG Chicago agency of record and unspecified mobile project work from IBM Corp.

Havas-owned agency networks include Euro RSCG Worldwide and Arnold Worldwide. Havas launched integrated multicultural marketing agency Totality on Oct. 6.