Trading Statement

12 Jul 2007 07:01

The Mission Marketing Group PLC12 July 2007 12 July 2007 The Mission Marketing Group plc ("themission") or (the "Group") Pre-close update for the six months to 30 June 2007 The Mission Marketing Group plc ('themission(R)', AIM: TMMG), the nationalmarketing communications and advertising group, today issued the followingpre-close update for the six months to 30 June 2007. themission(R) has continued to generate strong organic growth - significantlyoutperforming forecasts for the advertising and marketing services industry.This organic growth has been generated through both online and offline activityfor existing and new clients and has been further complemented by thecontribution from acquired businesses. Highlights include: • Organic Growth - continues at above industry average rate in both existing and newly acquired businesses. • Digital and On-line - new, additional technical and creative group in Bray Leino has significantly increased our capacity in this growing segment. • New High-Growth Sector Expertise - coverage increased to include Property and IT in addition to existing strengths in Food and Drink, Environmental and Pharmaceuticals. • Acquisitions - encouraging performance of two acquisitions made in the first half. Integration of BDW and April-Six has been achieved quickly and benefits from their additional services and increased geographical reach are coming through as planned. • Additional Services - BDW will shortly open new service centres in our existing locations in Bristol and the Midlands allowing further development of our property marketing activities. Bray Leino has opened a Public Relations practice in Leicester and Big Communications has launched a branding and design consultancy. Iain Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer commented "Trading is in line with theBoard's expectations and the combination of above industry average organicgrowth and the contribution from acquisitions underline the Board's confidencethat 2007 will be another strong year. Consistent with our strategy of combiningorganic growth with selective acquisitions, the future acquisitions pipeline isencouraging and we are currently in discussion with a number of specialistagencies. The Group has headroom in its existing debt facilities for furtheracquisitions that meet its strict acquisition criteria. " Enquiries: Iain Ferguson, Chief Executive 020 7395 7575 Tim Alderson, Chief Financial Officer The Mission Marketing Group plc Charles Palmer/Nicola Biles 020 7831 3113 Financial Dynamics Mark Percy 020 7107 8000 Seymour Pierce www.themission.co.uk themission(R) is a national marketing communications and advertising group with9 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 and thinkBDW. themission(R) employs over 500 staff nationally andis listed on AIM (TMMG). This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange