17th Dec 2007 07:01
Chime Communications PLC17 December 2007 17 December 2007 CHIME COMMUNICATIONS PLC ('Chime') TRADING UPDATE Chime Communications plc, the leading marketing services group, issues thefollowing trading update ahead of the announcement of preliminary results forthe year ending 31st December 2007. The strong performance in the first half of 2007 has continued into the secondhalf and we expect our results for the year to be at the top end of marketexpectations. Operating income growth is expected to be around 20% and operatingprofit growth is expected to be in excess of 25% with all divisions showinggrowth. Our three acquisitions in 2007, Fast Track, The Corporate Citizenship Companyand Facts International are fully integrated into the Group and are growingstrongly. VCCP Group's success means they will get close to achieving their full earn outat the end of 2007. The key managers of VCCP will have substantial shareholdingsin Chime which are restricted from sale for three years. In addition, a new fiveyear incentive scheme has been agreed with these managers to align their futurerewards with the continued success of VCCP and Chime. Recent new business wins include : • The £10 million Government account for alcohol awareness and education (including anti binge drinking).• The advertising account for O2 in Germany.• HSBC's sponsorship of the 2009 Lions tour to South Africa.• The IPO of DP World on the Dubai International Finance Exchange.• Corporate and financial public relations for Bloomsbury Publishing.• Ripplewood Holdings bid for Jaguar and Land Rover.• Corporate and social responsibility campaigns for Unilever, Lafarge and Barclays.• Financial services marketing for Aegon Asset Management and the Britannia Building Society.• The direct marketing business for The Rocco Forte Collection.• The advertising account for Aer Lingus. Chime also announces the acquisition of Stuart Higgins Communications Limited('the company'). Founded in 1999, the company is a public relations and communicationsconsultancy run by Stuart Higgins, former editor of The Sun newspaper. Thecompany has a strong presence in the sports sector and has worked for a widerange of clients including Camelot, British Airways, Chelsea Football Club,Reading Football Club, Watford Football Club and Storm Model Agency. Thebusiness of the company will be integrated into that of Fast Track SalesLimited, the sports marketing agency and wholly owned subsidiary of Chime. The company's revenues for the year ended 31st October 2006 were £1.6 millionwith gross assets at the same date of £0.7 million. Lord Bell, Chairman of Chime, commented: "Our trading performance is very strong, our new business pipeline is verystrong and our prospects look very good". - ENDS - For further information please contact : Lord Bell, Chairman 020 7861 8515Chime Communications Christopher Satterthwaite, Chief Executive 020 7861 8515Chime Communications Charles Cook/Chris Hamilton 020 7861 3232Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial Notes to Editors About Chime •Chime Communications Plc is the holding company for a number of leadingpublic relations, marketing services and research consultancy firms. •The Chime Group consists of one of the UK's leading public relationsgroups, Bell Pottinger; two research and consultation businesses Opinion LeaderResearch; and VCCP, one of the fastest growing advertising and marketingservices groups in the UK. •The Chime Group helps clients create, manage, monitor and market theirbusinesses, brands and reputations both in the UK and internationally. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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