Strong trading figures released by Aegis ahead of Dentsu takeover
Marketing services group Aegis has announced that group revenue rose to £596.8m, an increase of 15 percent, with operating profit increasing by 18.2 percent to £87m.
The group, set to be acquired by Dentsu, has also reported a pre-tax profit of £69.4m, an increase of 20.1 percent on last year.
The acquisition offer by Dentsu was overwhelmingly accepted by shareholders in a vote last week.
Jerry Buhlmann, chief executive officer of Aegis Group, said:“Aegis produced another strong performance in the first half of 2012. The business’s considerable positive momentum continued, and was reflected in our market-outperformance, our sector-leading organic growth of 8.6% and another excellent new business performance.
“During the period, Aegis continued to deliver its growth strategy, further increasing the revenue contribution from our sector-leading digital capabilities and from faster-growing regions and North America. This improved business mix, supplemented by targeted acquisitions, gives Aegis an unrivalled ability and opportunity to deliver the integrated campaigns our clients are seeking in the convergent media environment.
“Successfully delivering our strategy in recent years has consolidated Aegis’s market-leading position and, in July, the Board recommended a £3.16 billion cash offer from Dentsu. Once completed, this transaction will create one of the world’s most dynamic marketing services groups, the first truly global communications group born in the digital age, with the global reach to provide increased scale, capability and investment to support our clients. For our people, the combination offers continuity and the promise of working for one of the most exciting, high growth companies in our industry.”