R4E.L Regulatory News (R4E)

13 Feb 2006 07:00

Under embargo to: 0700hrs Monday 13th February 2006 First Artist Corporation PLC Trading update on January transfer window First Artist Corporation PLC (AIM: FAN), the acquisitive sports andentertainment group, is pleased to announce that it has experienced its bestJanuary transfer window since its introduction three years ago. The upliftcoincides with positive trading across First Artist's event management, wealthmanagement and celebrity representation divisions.During the January period the Company completed several football deals throughits London and Milan offices including Nigel Quashie from Southampton to WestBromwich Albion, Dean Kiely from Portsmouth to Charlton Athletic, John Mensahfrom Chievo Verona (Italy) to Stade Rennais (France), and Karim Saidi fromFeyenoord (Netherlands) to U.S. Lecce (Italy). Transfer related revenuesexceeded ‚£600,000 in the period.In the same month: * First Artist's event management division, Finishing Touch, staged some 40 events, double the number for January 05. * First Artist's celebrity representation division successfully placed Rula Lenska into the Celebrity Big Brother House and continued to expand its celebrity client base. * First Artist's wealth management division, ABG Financial, continued to benefit in terms of monthly sales and cash received ahead of A Day. Jon Smith, Chief Executive for First Artist Corporation PLC, commented:"The year has begun well for our sport representation businesses in the UK andItaly. We now look forward to it benefiting further from this summer's WorldCup and our relationship with German agency FairSport."We do though remain aware that the business is second half weighted - an issuewe will be taking steps to address. However, I am also pleased to report thatour event management, wealth management and celebrity representation divisionsare experiencing a strong trading environment demonstrating the collectivemomentum that is now being achieved across the Group."-ENDS-Notes to EditorsFirst Artist Corporation PLC (AIM: FAN) is a leading sport and entertainmentrepresentation and event management group. With offices in London, Milan, theUSA and Middle East, it provides four distinct services: sports playerrepresentation, celebrity representation, wealth management, and eventmanagement. Its player representation division, First Artist Management, isrecognised as one of the world's leading football management groups.For further information:First Artist Corporation plc Tel. + 44 (0) 20 8900 1818Jon Smith, Chief ExecutiveRichard Hughes, Finance DirectorArbuthnot Securities Limited Tel:+ 44 (0) 20 7012 2000Tom Griffithsgth media relationsToby Hall/Jade Mamarbachi Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7153 8039 / 8035ENDFIRST ARTIST CORPORATION PLC