Conran pleads with Bollore to halt expansion plans

by Darren Davidson, Brand Republic 07-Apr-08, 15:15

LONDON - Sir Terence Conran, the designer and entrepreneur, has written to Vincent Bollore, the chairman of Havas, in an attempt to persuade the French marketing services group to halt its expansion plans for the Conran Design Group.

Conran is angry at Havas's aggressive international expansion plans for the Conran Design Group brand, which Havas acquired the rights to in 1990 during the break-up of Conran's Storehouse group.

Last week he sent a letter to Bollore, in which he said talks between their two companies had "clearly failed to make progress" and suggested that they meet personally to agree a resolution.

He wrote: "It surprises me that Havas wants to attach my name to projects that have nothing to do with me or Conran Holdings [Sir Terence's private company], and I imagine Havas's clients will be equally surprised.

"I am also puzzled that a major communications group like Havas does not have a brand name of its own that it believes in."

Havas and its advertising agency Euro RSCG own the CDG brand, but under the terms of the 1990 sale, Conran Holdings, which Sir Terence chairs, claims the right to vet and reject work done by CDG if it does not meet its standards.

Conran added in the letter: "This could prove tiresome for you - and your clients. It would also create an odd position if the two companies found themselves competing for the same piece of business.

"Talks between our two organisations have failed to make progress. Would it not be better if you and I met to talk when you are next in London or I in Paris?"