23rd Jan 2007 07:00
Next Fifteen Communications Group plc AGM and trading update At the AGM to be held today at 2.30pm, Will Whitehorn, Chairman of Next FifteenCommunications Group plc ("Next Fifteen" or "the Group"), will make thefollowing comments with regard to trading and the business since the start ofthe current financial year. "I am pleased to report that the Group has made an excellent start to thefinancial year and is trading comfortably in line with market expectationsthanks to strong performances from its brands and an excellent new businessenvironment. On 17 October 2006, the Group posted its financial results for theyear ended 31 July 2006 which again showed record earnings, profit and revenues,and financial growth continuing across all geographical regions. The outcome isthat Next Fifteen's revenue mix has yet again broadened across a wider portfolioof clients and brands, with the Group now having 307 clients around the world,an increase of 8.5% over the last year. "The continued strong performance of the business has itself been driven by theglobal growth enjoyed by many of our clients as is the case, for example, withYahoo!, Philips and Samsung. "The Group has again experienced strong revenue growth in its North Americanbusiness but this has been affected by the weakness of the US dollar. However,Next Fifteen does not expect its reported profits for the year to besignificantly impacted by currency movements as a result of the currencyprotection measures taken out by the Group with its banking partners over thelast year. In North America, we are gaining exposure to the fast growing cleantech sector through existing clients such as Sun, AMD and NXP, as well asthrough new business from companies such as GE Energy, Novazone and DustNetworks. "The Group is also continuing to invest in the high growth Asia Pacific regionwith the establishment of a Text 100 office in Kuala Lumpur and the launch ofthe Vox PR brand in India, with offices in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. "In November, Next Fifteen increased its stake in Lexis Public Relations from51% to 76%. This allows the Group to both increase its share of profitsgenerated by the agency and also to make it a part of Next Fifteen's tax groupin the UK, a step that should further improve the Group's earnings in thecurrent year. "We have also announced the introduction of a Dividend Reinvestment Plan. TheGroup is committed to a progressive dividend policy and we hope the plan will bewell received by our shareholders. "The Board is confident about the Group's prospects for the current financialyear. Our primary focus is on continuing to grow the business organically, aswell as on making targeted acquisitions of specialist communicationsconsultancies that complement the Next Fifteen portfolio. "The Group will report its Interim Results on 17 April 2007." For further information: \* TNext Fifteen Communications GroupTim Dyson, Chief Executive 001 415 350 2801David Dewhurst, Finance Director 07974 161183 Merlin 020 7653 6620Paul Downes 07900 244888Rebecca Penney 07795 108 178\* T Copyright Business Wire 2007Related Shares:
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