The Mission Group Regulatory News (TMG)

18 Jan 2008 07:00

The Mission Marketing Group PLC18 January 2008 18 January 2008 The Mission Marketing Group plc Pre-Close Update for the year to 31 December 2007 The Mission Marketing Group plc ('themission(R)', AIM: TMMG), the nationalmarketing communications and advertising group, today issued the followingpre-close update for the year to 31 December 2007, prior to entering its closeperiod ahead of the preliminary results announcement on 17 April 2008. In the first half of 2007 the Group reported organic proforma profit before taxgrowth of 19% and this momentum continued into the second half with themission'sorganic growth and margin performance remaining strong. As a whole the Group hasperformed in line with the Board's expectations. The four acquisitions madeduring the year are all benefiting from being part of the enlarged network andhave further strengthened themission. Highlights include: • Strong organic growth - reflects the Group's broad and integrated, on and offline service offering, as well as its increased geographical reach. • Additional acquisitions and new sector expertise - in 2007 the Group successfully acquired thinkBDW and AprilSix in early summer, Story UK in autumn and most recently RLA, announced on 19 December. The first three acquisitions have been successfully combined with the Group's other agencies and the benefits are coming through as planned. The integration of RLA is going to plan and all four acquisitions are expected to be earnings enhancing in 2008. These acquisitions have further extended our service offering and ourgeographical reach as well as strengthening our position in our chosen, highgrowth, sectors. The last two acquisitions have added expertise in direct anddatabase marketing, specialist media planning and buying, automotive and retail,luxury and financial services. • Expanded digital and on-line capabilities - we have further enhanced this area across all our businesses enabling our digital and on-line revenues to continue to outperform the fastest growing media category. • Good new business flow - significant wins by Group agencies include West Indies Spirit and Rum Association, Sharwoods, Grant Thornton, Ben & Jerry's, Orange, St Austell's Tribute Ale, Sugar Puffs, Lil-Lets and The Institute of Chartered Accountants. • Multiple Awards wins - Creativity and ideas to drive clients' business are the common threads linking all of our agencies and this year saw Group agencies win 33 awards for creativity and effectiveness. The recent Bellweather report anticipates that despite some turbulence, themarket will show further growth in 2008. The current year has started well andall of our agencies are benefitting from being part of the enlarged Group. Thisis reflected in themission's continued new business success which includesDomino's Pizza across the UK, won by Group agency Big Communication this week,and AEGON, which was recently won by Story. Overall, the Board believes that theGroup is well positioned to continue to outperform the sector. Enquiries Iain Ferguson, Chief ExecutiveTim Alderson, Chief Financial OfficerThe Mission Marketing Group plc 020 7395 7575 Charles Palmer/Nicola BilesFinancial Dynamics 020 7831 3113 Mark Percy/Sarah Jacobs 020 7107 8000Seymour Pierce Limited www.themission.co.uk themission(R) is a national marketing communications and advertising group with10 offices across the UK. The Group specialises in providing national andinternational clients with award winning marketing, advertising and businesscommunications. Group members include April-Six, Bray Leino, Big Communications,Fuse Digital, thinkBDW, Story UK and RLA. themission(R) employs over 600 staffnationally and is listed on AIM (TMMG). This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange