NEW YORK, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Havas announced today the launch of Havas Drive, a new digital healthcare company focused on the development of innovative tools designed to drive deep interaction and engagement with healthcare professionals and patients seeking medical information online. As the first virtual engagement company to develop only pay-per-performance products, Havas Drive represents a revolutionary approach to building a rich and ongoing dialogue with doctors and patients to facilitate the action clients desire for their brands.

Additionally, Havas has chosen WebMD as the exclusive distribution partner for Havas Drive's Virtual Convention Booth(TM) offering. Havas will market the Virtual Convention Booth to pharmaceutical companies looking to reach physicians in innovative ways, and the booth will be available on Medscape from WebMD, the leading provider of health information for physicians and healthcare professionals. Medscape from WebMD generates more than 1.5 million physician visits per month.

"Recognizing a seismic shift in the way people communicate, the Euro RSCG Worldwide network recently realigned its structure. By placing 'digital at the core' of our business, we are able to provide seamless through-the-line solutions for our clients that enable them to stay ahead of the changing communications landscape," said David Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Euro RSCG Worldwide. "Our integrated structure coupled with our unparalleled understanding of the healthcare industry has enabled us to create forward-looking strategies that reach audiences when and where they want to be reached. Havas Drive's unique offering delivers innovation with built-in return-on-investment (ROI), as the clients only pay for results."

"Havas is continuously evolving and innovating to meet the needs of the market. WebMD is pleased to be collaborating with Havas as an important agency partner on the Virtual Convention Booth," said Wayne Gattinella, CEO, WebMD. "As the leading provider of health information, WebMD is committed to providing physicians with tools like this that will improve their knowledge and provide the best care for patients."

Havas Drive's core services are built around a suite of virtual interactive solutions (VI Solutions Suite(TM)) that create engaging and intense virtual branding environments. The VI Solutions Suite(TM) includes:

-- Virtual Convention Booth(TM) - a 3-D booth, distributed on Medscape, where physicians can experience the convention booth as if they were at the live event

-- Virtual Hospital(TM) - a highly immersive interactive experience that will surround hospital-based physicians, pharmacists, and administrators to deliver core brand clinical messages and showcase gaps in patient transitions of care

-- Virtual Detail(TM) - an offering that allows a virtual sales rep to deliver a brand detail in a 3-D environment. The experience can be delivered live or remotely via the Web or CD-ROM

About Havas

Havas (Euronext Paris: HAV.PA) is a global advertising and communications services group. Headquartered in Paris, Havas operates through its two worldwide networks, Euro RSCG Worldwide and Havas Media, which are headquartered in New York and Barcelona respectively, and through a number of independent agencies renowned for their creativity, such as Arnold Worldwide Partners. A multicultural and decentralized Group, Havas is present in more than 75 countries through its networks of agencies and contractual affiliations. The Group offers a broad range of communications services, including traditional advertising, direct marketing, media planning and buying, corporate communications, sales promotion, design, human resources, sports marketing, multimedia interactive communications and public relations. Havas employs approximately 14,400 people.

Further information about Havas is available on the company's website: www.havas.com

About WebMD

WebMD Health Corp. (Nasdaq: WBMD) is the leading provider of health information services, serving consumers, physicians, healthcare professionals, employers and health plans through our public and private online portals and health-focused publications. WebMD Health Corp. is a subsidiary of HLTH Corporation (Nasdaq: HLTH).

The WebMD Health Network reaches more than 50 million visitors a month through its leading owned and operated health sites that include WebMD Health, Medscape, MedicineNet, eMedicine, eMedicine Health, RxList and theheart.org.



    CONTACT:
    Chantal Beaudry
    Euro RSCG Life PR
    212-367-6802
    Chantal.Beaudry@eurorscg.com

SOURCE Havas