Media buying group Aegis today confirmed it had received a request for a shareholder meeting from French financier Vincent Bolloré, who wants two seats on the company's board.

Aegis said Mr Bolloré, who owns a 29% stake in the company, had asked for a meeting to consider the election of Philippe Germond and Roger Hatchuel to its board.

Mr Germond and Mr Hatchuel were the two candidates put up by Mr Bolloré at the company's annual meeting in June and rejected by shareholders.

Aegis said the extraordinary general meeting would be convened "in due course", though it is unlikely to happen before November.

The company is likely to stick to its previous line of defence, arguing that to give Mr Bolloré seats on the board would be inappropriate because he is the chairman and the largest shareholder of rival advertising group Havas.

However, Mr Bolloré's campaign is an irritant to the Aegis chief executive, Robert Lerwill, as he struggles to maintain the company's long-term viability as an independent company.

Mr Bolloré was entitled to call for the EGM as a shareholder with more than 10% of the company.

Many analysts believe his efforts to get seats on the board represent an opening gambit in a push to acquire the company. The financier cannot add significantly to his stake - acquired since August last year - without crossing the 30% threshold at which he would be obliged under City rules to make a takeover bid.

WPP's Sir Martin Sorrell, who backed away from bidding for Aegis last year, will also be keeping a close eye on the situation.

Earlier this year, Sir Martin - who has always been interested in acquiring Aegis's market research division, Synovate - said he thought Mr Bolloré was aiming at full ownership.

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