Havas jumps in on Lopex action

Design in Action holding company Lopex is set to be acquired by French group Havas Advertising, after an unsuccessful bid for Lopex by Lloyd Northover Citigate parent Incepta.

Incepta has agreed to sell its 26.6 per cent stake in Lopex to Havas, the parent group of Euro RSCG Design, CGI, Conran Design Group and Real Time Studio.

DIA managing Barry Salter says: “We have recommended the Havas deal although it is too early in the day to say what plans there may be to link DIA to any other members of the Havas organisation. We would be extremely happy to be part of Havas, which has some top design brands.”

The Havas offer will not be concluded until next month. Incepta Group chief executive David Wright says, “The deal provides us with the additional resources to invest further in our development as a leading international marketing and communications group.”