The French public relations giant Havas has remained conspicuously silent regarding the future position of British executive Ian Osborne on its board of directors. This silence comes as the company assesses the potential repercussions of newly released documents that detail Osborne's professional relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Osborne's Controversial PR Strategy for Epstein
Ian Osborne, who serves as a non-executive director at Havas while running his own consultancy firm Osborne and Partners, offered public relations advice to Epstein in 2011. This was three years after Epstein's conviction for procuring a child for prostitution in 2008. According to documents released by the US Department of Justice, Osborne presented a comprehensive PR strategy aimed at rehabilitating Epstein's tarnished public image.
Rehabilitation Through Media and Search Engine Manipulation
Osborne's proposed strategy involved multiple coordinated approaches to restore Epstein's standing in influential circles. He outlined plans to steadily rebuild Epstein's profile within select media, political, and philanthropic networks while simultaneously establishing him as a pioneering supporter of science and technology initiatives.
Perhaps most controversially, Osborne promised Epstein he could clean up his Google search results by attempting to downrank the prominence of news stories detailing his paedophilia convictions. In communications revealed through the filings, Osborne emphasized the critical importance of this search engine manipulation, stating: We have hired an excellent team of Israeli experts for other clients. I cannot overstate the importance of this, because it is the initial source of information on you for many people.
Targeting Influential Media Outlets
The proposed media strategy extended beyond search engine manipulation to include direct engagement with senior journalists at some of Britain's most respected publications. Osborne suggested arranging informal meetings with key figures at:
- The Times
- The Financial Times
- The Economist
These engagements were designed to generate more positive press coverage and gradually reshape public perception of Epstein within elite circles.
Havas's Response and Osborne's Regret
When approached for comment by City AM, a spokesperson for Havas stated the company was looking into this topic, which we were not aware of. However, the spokesperson notably declined to address whether Osborne would be removed from the firm's board of directors, leaving his future position with the company uncertain.
In a statement provided to the Telegraph, Osborne expressed profound regret about his association with Epstein: I wholeheartedly regret that I ever met or had any association whatsoever with Epstein. I never witnessed, nor was aware of, the repellent and illegal behaviour by him. I am forever sorry for all the people who suffered by him. It was a serious error of judgment and one I bitterly regret.
Broader Implications and Lobbying Efforts
The released documents reveal additional dimensions to Osborne's relationship with Epstein, including efforts to influence corporate appointments. Osborne offered to help Epstein lobby for the installation of his associate Jes Staley as the new chief executive of Barclays bank.
In one particularly revealing email, Osborne informed Epstein that then-Financial Times editor Lionel Barber would be joining him for dinner, adding: so I can have a quiet word on Jes if that makes sense. It should be noted there is no suggestion of impropriety by Barber in this matter.
Corporate Fallout and Wider Resignations
Staley eventually became chief executive of Barclays in 2015 but has since resigned from the bank in connection with his association with Epstein. The Financial Conduct Authority subsequently banned him from holding senior financial services positions in the UK.
The Epstein revelations have triggered a series of high-profile resignations across British institutions. Former Washington ambassador Peter Mandelson recently stepped down as a House of Lords peer after new details emerged about his relationship with Epstein during Mandelson's tenure as business secretary in 2010. Additionally, the chief executive of Mandelson's consulting firm Global Counsel resigned this week following City AM's reporting on the firm's communications with Epstein.
These developments highlight the continuing reverberations of Epstein's network through British corporate and political circles, with Havas now facing its own governance questions regarding Osborne's position on its board.
