INC.L Regulatory News (INC)

26 Sep 2006 07:02

Avanti Screenmedia Group PLC26 September 2006 For Release 7a.m. 26th September 2006 Avanti Screenmedia Group plc ("Avanti") Contract Win: SPAR TV Avanti Screenmedia Group plc (AIM: ASG.L) is pleased to announce that it hassigned a five year exclusive agreement to provide SPAR TV to Tates Ltd, thelargest SPAR multi-site operator. Tates is part of A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd thelargest of the six SPAR Wholesalers. The total contract (including installation,service fees and advertising revenues) is worth approximately £9.4 million toAvanti over a five year period. Avanti will provide a turnkey screenmedia system and service, including allnetwork, content and advertising services, initially to 206 SPAR stores withinthe UK. SPAR is the World's largest convenience retailer with 16,000 shops in 34countries, of which 2,700 are in the UK. SPAR TV will supply information onproducts and promotions via plasma and LCD screens on three different categorychannels at and close to the point of sale. Its prime objective is to increaselike for like sales in every shop. David Williams, Avanti Chief Executive said: "SPAR is a powerful force in convenience retailing, providing a wide range ofproducts in almost every town and village in the country. The SPAR symbol groupis highly regarded, having won awards for the innovation and quality of itsoffering every year, and we are proud to be working with Tates. This contractrepresents a critical step change in the maturity of the screenmedia sector,giving us access to a fantastic array of opportunities with the advertisers ofFast Moving Consumer Goods. This contract strongly supports our expectations forthe current financial year." Geoff Hallem, Managing Director of Tates Ltd, said: "We are convinced that screenmedia is a powerful marketing tool for increasingsales. In Avanti we have found a supplier with credibility and expertise todeliver. We are excited about the future of SPAR TV and its ability topositively impact our sales." Ends Enquiries: Avanti Screenmedia Group plc 020 7749 1600David Williams, Chief Executive Smithfield 020 7903 0676Sara Musgrave Notes to Editors About Avanti Avanti Screenmedia Group PLC is a growing communications business with unique,fully funded, strategic assets and an experienced management team who arededicated to delivering strong profit growth. The Group operates in twodivisions: Networks and Media. Through its Networks division, Avanti is also the UK's only broadcast and fixedbroadband satellite operator with its first satellite funded and underconstruction for launch in 2008. In August 2005 Avanti was awarded by OFCOM the right to use the geo-stationaryorbital position at 33.5degreesW with 3.6Ghz of radio spectrum to operatesatellites. Avanti will use this to provide broadband and high definitiontelevision services in Europe. Avanti expects to purchase other satellites, andto create a new competitor in the provision of direct to home satellitetelevision in the UK and elsewhere. Avanti is also a market leading provider of Retail Media advertising servicesdeploying plasma screen networks in shops, malls and pubs for advertising, salespromotion and customer entertainment. Avanti listed on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange, on 9thJuly 2004, at an issue price of 130.0p. Avanti is included in the FTSE Mediasector and has a RIC code of ASG.L. About Tates Ltd Tates Ltd owns and operates 206 SPAR convenience stores throughout the UK andemploys over 3,500 staff. The annual turnover is over £200m. A.F. Blakemore & Sons Ltd operates wholesale food distribution, foodservice andretail businesses employing over 5,000 people with a turnover of over £600m. Itdistributes to over 700 SPAR franchisees, and itself owns 206 SPAR storesthrough Tates Ltd. SPAR UK currently consists of six regional distribution centres, which supplygoods and service to more than 2600 stores throughout Great Britain and NorthernIreland. A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd supply stores in a zone known as the Central Meridian Guild. This covers a stretch of land from North Wales to East Anglia. It alsoreaches up to Lincolnshire and spreads as far south as the Thames Estuary. Each distribution centre is supported by SPAR Central Office. This providesnational marketing and buying services for the whole group to ensure the bestdeals for customers. SPAR has won the coveted Symbol Group Retailer of the Year award in 2002, 2003and 2004 as well as a host of other awards for both the group and individualretailers. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange