Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings plc
The following are excerpts from selected recent press releases:
15th April 2008
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Final Results for the year ended 31 December 2007
Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings Plc (AIM:IPH), one of Europe's largest direct online marketing group, today announces its Annual Results for the year ended 31 December 2007.
11th February 2008
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Holding (s) in Company
Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings Plc (AIM:IPH), Europe's largest direct online marketing group, announces that it was notified on 6 February 2008, as at close of business on 5 January 2008, AXA Investment Managers UK Ltd, now holds 1,947,843 Ordinary Shares. This holding represents 4.34% of the total issued share capital of IPT as at 5 January 2008.
27th September 2007
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Interim Results
Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings Plc (AIM:IPH), Europe's largest direct online marketing group, today announces its Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2007.
21st August 2007
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Director / PDMR Shareholding
Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings Plc (AIM:IPH), Europe's largest direct online marketing group, announces the sale by Lionel Thain, Chief Executive and simultaneous purchase by his Self-Invested Personal Pension ("SIPP") scheme of 178,479 shares at 111.5 pence per share today. Following this transaction Lionel Thain's beneficial interest remains unchanged at 6,155,210 shares, of which 5,976,731 are held directly by himself with the remainder of 178,479 held in his SIPP. Lionel Thain's holding in IPT is 13.73 % of the total issued share capital.
23th July 2007
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Purchase of own shares
Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings plc (AIM: IPH), Europe's largest direct online marketing group, announces that yesterday the Group purchased 25,000 ordinary shares of 0.4 pence each in the capital of the Group at a price of 138 pence per share. IPT intends to hold the purchased shares in treasury.
23th July 2007
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Purchase of own shares
Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings plc (AIM: IPH), Europe's largest direct online marketing group, announces that on 20 July 2007 the Group purchased 25,000 ordinary shares of 0.4 pence each in the capital of the Group at a price of 139 pence per share. IPT intends to hold the purchased shares in treasury.
19th July 2007
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Purchase of own shares
Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings plc (AIM: IPH), Europe's largest direct online marketing group, today announces that earlier today the Group purchased 35,000 ordinary shares of 0.4 pence each in the capital of the Group at a price of 137 pence per share. IPT intends to hold the purchased shares in treasury
11th February 2007
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Holding (s) in Company
Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings Plc (AIM:IPH), Europe's largest direct online marketing group, announces that it was notified on 6 February 2008, as at close of business on 5 January 2008, AXA Investment Managers UK Ltd. has decreased its holdings in IPT by 3,114,373 Ordinary Shares and now holds 0 ordinary shares in the Company. AXA will still retain 4.34% of the voting rights in the Company.
8th February 2007
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Holding (s) in Company
Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings Plc (AIM:IPH), Europe's largest direct online marketing group, announces that it was notified on 4 February 2008, as at close of business on 31 January 2008, Morgan Stanley Securities Limited has acquired in IPT 501,947 Ordinary Shares and now holds a total of 5,514,434 ordinary shares in the Company. This holding represents 12.32 per cent of the current total issued share capital of IPT
13th March 2008
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
IPT Voted Technology Business Of The Year 2008
IPT has been unveiled as winner of the Best use of Technology category at the Fast Growth Business Awards 2008.
27th September 2007
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Interim Results
Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings Plc (AIM:IPH), Europe's largest direct online marketing group, today announces its Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2007.
17th September 2007
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Holding(s) in Company
Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings Plc (AIM:IPH), Europe's largest direct online marketing group, announces that it was notified, as at close of business on 13 September 2007, Morgan Stanley Securities Limited has acquired 445,000 Ordinary Shares and now holds a total of 2,724,500 Ordinary Shares in the Company. This holding represents 6.09 per cent of the current total issued share capital of IPT.
16th July 2007
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Pre-Close Trading Statement
Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings plc (AIM: IPH), Europe's largest direct online marketing group, today announces a trading update for the half-year ending 30 June 2007.
The Directors expect revenues for the half-year ended 30 June 2007 to be in the region of £15m (2006: £9.8m) with EBITDA in the region of £1.9m (2006: £2.5m).
As the Group announced on 27 March 2007 the first half of the current financial year has been negatively impacted by a sales execution problem. This problem was technology related and resulted from product delivery issues with one specific internet based e-mail service provider. Following a number of active steps taken by management, IPT has recovered from this specific issue and has subsequently significantly strengthened its technology and operational processes.
7th July 2007
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Appointment of Director
Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings plc (AIM: IPH), the UK's leading online direct marketing company, is pleased to announce the appointment to the Board of Jerome Stioui as an executive Director with immediate effect. Jerome Stioui, aged 31, is Chairman and CEO of Directinet SA which was acquired by IPT in May 2006. Following the completion of the successful integration of Directinet into the Group, he now joins the Board.
Mr. Stioui graduated from HEC, France's leading Business School, and worked with strategic consulting firms such as Corporate Value Associates (CVA) and Bain & Company on M&A, before becoming one of the founders of Directinet. He is seen in France as a pioneer of the E-Mail Marketing Industry and is a member of the main professional associations: SNCD, IAB, EBG, Cercle du Marketing Direct & ACSEL.
15th June 2007
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Acquisition in France of NP6
IPT (IPH.L), the UK's leading online direct marketing company, is pleased to announce it has agreed to acquire the entire issued share capital of NP6 SAS for a maximum consideration of €9.95million (approx. £6.73million).
IPT has agreed to pay an initial consideration of €5.0million (approx. £3.38million) in cash. This has been funded by a new loan facility of €6.5million, which will cover the initial consideration and costs of the transaction.
In addition IPT has agreed to pay a maximum deferred consideration of €4.95million (approx £3.35million) to the management vendors based on achieving certain financial targets for the years ended 31 December 2007 and 2008. This deferred consideration will be satisfied by a combination of cash and shares (50:50), with the shares to be issued at the trailing 21 day average market price just prior to the time of issue.
3rd March 2007
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Annual Report & Accounts 2006
Throughout 2006 and into 2007, IPT has continued to develop and launch new websites and innovative products designed to fulfil the needs of our clients. To support this process we have an active programme of investment, replacing and upgrading our technology to ensure a consistent supply of service to all of our clients at the level they demand.
Ever-increasing internet usage and broadband penetration means that in 2007 European online advertising spend is forecast to reach £4.1 billion, increasing by 21% from 20065. This means that Europe offers exciting opportunities to grow and expand our business. In its first six years, the IPT group was wholly focused within the UK. However, during 2006, the group took the first step to begin exploring the enormous potential of Europe. The acquisition of Directinet and its subsequent integration into the group has indicated that the European markets are following developments in the UK closely and that the adoption of leading edge UK products will give competitive advantage in Europe. In 2007, the group will continue its policy of actively seeking suitable opportunities for international expansion.
3rd March 2007
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Corporate Information
Seven years ago online marketing was relatively in its infancy, with traditional methods still taking centre stage in the marketing mix. At that time, the depth of technology simply did not exist to allow marketers to exploit the growth of internet and email usage.
IPT was created with the goal of meeting marketers' technological needs, and the company's rapid growth is testament to our success in providing the tools and services our clients desired. At IPT's launch in 1999 there were two members of staff, and turnover for the year 2000 was £900,000. By 2006 turnover was forecast to reach £24 million and staffing was at 265 and rising fast. Between the years 2003 and 2006 the company enjoyed quadrupling revenues and a tenfold increase in net profits. Following flotation in 2004 IPT's share price also followed a rapidly upward trend, and had tripled by 2006.
No textbooks existed to tell IPT the path to follow, and it was the knowledge and skills of our team that led the company to devise a number of innovative solutions which would be enthusiastically embraced by marketers. As the company rapidly grew and developed, it blazed a trail which others would quickly follow.
Today, IPT is still leading the way in the online direct marketing industry, with a tireless energy and a continual flow of new ideas ensuring that we regularly introduce fresh products, as well as continually re-evaluating and improving our established services, the better to serve our clients.
2nd February 2007
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Acquisition of Real World Customer Experience Limited - RWCE
IPT (IPH.L), Europe's leading online direct marketing company, is pleased to announce it has agreed to acquire 78.68% of the issued share capital of Real World Customer Experience Limited.
IPT has agreed to pay an initial consideration of £790,000 in cash. In addition IPT has agreed to pay a deferred consideration of up to 4 times EBIT achieved by RWCE for the years ended 31 December 2007 and 2008. The maximum deferred consideration of payable under this agreement is capped at £6.0m. This deferred consideration, payable to the management vendors will be satisfied by a combination of cash and shares (50:50), with the shares to be issued at the closing mid-market price as quoted on the London Stock Exchange on the Business Day on which the deferred consideration is agreed. The deferred consideration payable to the non-management vendors will be satisfied in cash.
Real World Customer Experience Limited is a leader in online market research, incorporating the brands of Tpoll Market Intelligence Ltd, Tpoll Direct and the Stimulating World. Tpoll Market Intelligence has been delivering online quantitative research since 1999, working with P&G, Warner Bros, Time, Airmiles, The Post Office and other blue chip clients. It is a specialist in delivering via customer panel's real time insights. Following the shift in the market place from the traditional research model, The Company formed an online fieldwork brand, Tpoll Direct, in January 2006. After strong growth in this area, RCWE are investing further in the coming year. The Stimulating World Research Company Ltd delivers qualitative research specialising in Media, FMCG, Government and International markets. More recently Stimulating World has been a pioneer of new deliberative and collaborative methods of gaining insight into consumer attitudes.
The acquisition is the first by IPT in the on-line research community. RWCE turnover for the year ended 31 December 2006 was £1,281,000 with an EBIT of £ (80,000). RWCE was profitable in the second half of 2006 and is expected to be earnings enhancing in the first full year of ownership.
Commenting Lionel Thain, CEO, IPT said: "This acquisition will allow IPT to further enhance its range of services available to its clients by bringing together the consumer databases of IPT and the market research capabilities of RWCE. The world of online market research is expanding rapidly and IPT now has the resources and skills to be a major contributor in this market."
15 September 2006
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Interim Results
IPT (IPH.L), the UK's leading on-line direct marketing services company, announces record interim results for the six months to 30 June 2006, reflected in the strong organic growth of operating profits in the core businesses. A major acquisition in France in May, IPT's first in Europe and largest to date, has moved the business onto a European dimension.
Highlights
- Turnover up 73% to £9.8m (2005 : £5.7m)
- Headline operating profits up 156% to £1.8m (2005 : £0.7m)
- Pre-tax profits up 94% to £1.75m (2005 : £1.19m)
- Diluted EPS up 23% to 3.2p (2005 : 2.6p)
- Total equity £31.02m, (2005 : £8.31m)
- Headline operating margin 18.6% (2005: 12.6%)
- Acquisition of Directinet, the leading online direct marketing company in France, on May 24th for approx £22.4m (maximum consideration)
Commenting, Lionel Thain, Chief Executive, said: "In 2006 internet advertising is expected to represent the third largest segment within the total advertising market after TV and newspapers, growing at on current estimates at nearly 50% per annum compared to less than 4% in overall advertising expenditure. We view the remainder of 2006 with a positive outlook. We retain our market leading position in Internet direct marketing in the UK and with the acquisition have established a similar position in the wider European market. The second half has begun on a positive note."
24 May 2006
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Acquisition in France of Directinet SA (Directinet) and Placing
IPT (IPH.L), the UK's leading online direct marketing company, is pleased to announce it has agreed to acquire the entire issued share capital of Directinet for a maximum consideration of EUR33.0 m (approx. £22.5m).
IPT has agreed to pay an initial consideration of EUR24.5m (approx. £16.7m) of which EUR16.2m (approx. £11.0m) will be satisfied by the issue of 5,376,243 ordinary shares in IPT which are being placed by Canaccord Adams Limited at a price of 205p with institutional investors (the "Vendor Placing") and EUR8.3m (approx £5.7m) will be satisfied by the issue of 2,820,172 consideration shares in IPT at a deemed issue price of 202p which will be retained by the Vendors.
In addition IPT has agreed to pay a maximum deferred consideration of EUR8.5m (approx £5.8m) to the management vendors based on achieving certain financial targets for the years ended 31 December 2006, 2007 and 2008 Completion is expected to occur on 30 May 2006.
Directinet is the leader in online direct marketing services in France. The French and UK markets together account for some 64% of the total spend on online advertising spend across Europe and both markets continue to grow rapidly. Together with IPT's leading position in the UK market the combined group will be the most important operator in its area in Europe, uniquely well positioned to lead the provision of the most innovative, up to date techniques of data capture and exploitation. It will create Europe's largest multi-channel customer acquisition marketing company, providing direct marketing campaigns across email, SMS, mail and telephone media. Many of the programmes and sites provided by IPT in the UK can be rapidly rolled out into France enhancing the Directinet operating model and leading to synergistic benefits.
The acquisition is the first by IPT in Europe and its largest to date. It is expected to be earnings enhancing in the first full year of ownership.
Commenting Lionel Thain, CEO, IPT said: "Directinet has a very favourable outlook, given a booming market and a strong brand profile. It is both a pioneer and a clear leader in the field of email marketing and its future strategy is based upon the broadening of its offer towards the customer loyalty emailing market and developing its business abroad." He added; "Together our two businesses will offer an unrivalled suite of digital direct marketing services across Europe."
Directinet, founded in 2000, services 300 blue chip clients from a wide range of industries. These include BNP Paribas, Swiss life, Credit Agricole, lastminute.com, Intermarche, Peugeot, Honda, Renault, Toyota, Ford, PMU, Alitalia, Le Monde, Le Figaro, Elle, Telecom Italia, SFR, AOL, Gaz de France, Publicis Groupe, Carat, SCA, Procter & Gamble, Fiat, Sony and Unilever.
IPT, founded in 1999, has over 750 blue chip clients, with over 11 million registered users. Its clients include Cahoot; FilmFour; B&Q; Britannia; American Express; Guinness; Ocado; BMI; Kodak; Citroen; Dell; Yell.com; Littlewoods; Nestle; The Open University; Tesco; Tiscali; Sky; Dixons; Cadbury; Jaguar; Virgin Wines; Abbey; AA; The Co-operative Bank; ScottishPower; Sainsbury's; The Famous Grouse; RAC; Alliance & Leicester; Panasonic; British Gas; lastminute.com; Lloyds TSB; Norwich Union. IPT also managed client databases for Dial-a-Phone, the RAC, Lloyds TSB, Kuoni Travel, Ebookers, Universal Group and BCA.
Placing
IPT also announces that Canaccord Adams Limited has placed 5,609,757 new ordinary shares at 205p to raise £11.5m. As described above, 5,376,243 new ordinary shares have been placed on behalf of the Vendors with an additional 233,514 new ordinary shares being placed on behalf of the Company. Application for admission for trading on AIM for the Placing Shares has been made and trading in the Placing Shares is expected to occur on or around 25th May 2006. The Placing Shares will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing Ordinary Shares of the company.
Commenting on the placing, Lionel Thain, said: "The board considers the placing and acquisition to be a further step in the continued development of IPT and is delighted with the response by institutions to the placing. We look forward to creating value for our new and existing shareholders."
Directinet
Since the financial year ended 31st December 2002 Directinet has produced strong financial growth and operating profitability.
Revenue has increased successively for the past three years from EUR1.9m in 2002 to EUR7.7m for 2005, a compound sales growth of 58% per annum. EBITDA has grown from EUR0.2m in 2003 to EUR1.4m for 2005.
Directinet is present at every stage of a customer acquisition campaign, being capable of managing an entire emailing marketing campaign on behalf of its clients, adding value at every stage. This includes: analytical targeting, file selection, campaign planning, channel selection, operational campaign management, results analysis and future recommendations.
Directinet's unique multichannel offer provides the widest range of opt-in files available on the French market. This includes 14.1m opt-in emails, 24.2m postal addresses, 13.5m telephone numbers, 3.6m opt-in mobile numbers and 150 selection criteria.
Directinet operates in the fast growing market of acquisition email marketing, which is estimated to have grown by 44% in 2004 and by 118% in 2005 according to SNCD/TNS Media Intelligence.
Directinet currently has over 50 employees. The five founders, Jerome Stioui, Chairman and CEO, Nicholas Klain, CFO and Data Production Director, Patrick Mareuil, Statistics and Research Director, Jeremie Mani, Web Marketing Production and Key Accounts Director, and Philippe Leclercq, Customer Relations and Commercial Director, all of whom were students together at HEC Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales, will remain with the enlarged group.
Commenting, Mr. Stioui said: "Directinet and IPT are both market leading companies in their territories. We are delighted to form part of an enlarged group with a shared strategy of becoming the clear leader in email marketing services in Europe."
27 April 2006
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Acquisitions of Direct Excellence Limited and MPCI Limited
IPT (IPH.L), the UK's leading online direct marketing company, is pleased to announce it has exchanged contracts to acquire the business and assets of Direct Excellence Limited ("DE") and the entire issued voting share capital of MPCI Limited ("MPCI"). Both businesses specialise in evaluating customers direct experiences to help organisations develop more effective customer management strategies. IPT has agreed to pay an initial cash consideration for both businesses of £0.47m and a further payment based on future profitability.
The acquisitions are earnings neutral in 2006 and are expected to be earnings enhancing in 2007, as part of IPT's market research division IMRS, the UK's largest online consumer panel, with 300,000 unincentivised members, and access to a database of 10.5 million UK names.
DE, based in Twickenham, Surrey, is being acquired from the Moonriver Group and MPCI, based in Pulborough West Sussex, is currently privately owned.
Both businesses are being incorporated into IPT's service division and will enhance the groups market research services. Both businesses expect to benefit from cost effective access to IPT's online consumer panels to enhance their existing telephone interview capabilities.
Commenting, Lionel Thain, Chief Executive Officer, IPT, said: "The enhancement of the group's research capabilities is one of our ongoing objectives and bringing DE and MPCI into our services division will allow us to broaden the services we can offer to our corporate customers. At the same time we can operate in a very cost effective manner due to the access we have to the online consumer data held within the group."
Regarding current trading at IPT, Mr Thain said: "IPT has made a confident start to 2006 trading. Online marketing spend continues to be 'the hottest' advertising growth area."
IPT
IPT Limited was founded in 1999 in Central London by an experienced direct marketing management team. It is owned 41% by its management team and employees. The Company collects consumer data and communicates offers over the Internet.
The IPT client base has grown consistently. Between 2002 and 2006, Its extensive, blue chip list of clients have been drawn primarily from the consumer marketing sector and include both direct clients and their media agencies. IPT's Clients include: Cahoot; FilmFour; B&Q; Britannia; American Express; Guinness; Ocado; BMI; Kodak; Citroen; Dell; Yell.com; Littlewoods; Nestle; The Open University; Tesco; Tiscali; Sky; Dixons; Cadbury; Jaguar; Virgin Wines; Abbey; AA; The Cooperative Bank; Scottish Power; Sainsbury's; The Famous Grouse; RAC; Alliance & Leicester; Panasonic; British Gas; lastminute.com; Lloyds TSB; Norwich Union. IPT also managed client databases for Dial-a-Phone, the RAC, Lloyds TSB, Kuoni Travel, Ebookers, Universal Group Universal and BCA.
IPT has created and maintains a range of websites to collect consumer data, primarily via online questionnaires. Since inception, IPT has processed information from in excess of 90million such questionnaires. The Company has formed a number of online marketing partnerships that generate for IPT an average of over 200,000 registrations from consumers every month. Data collected enables IPT and its clients to send targeted offers by email, post, telephone and SMS.
IPT has also developed a range of complementary online marketing services including email delivery, database and microsite management and market research.
Customer acquisition data is collected from online questionnaires (2-3 million questionnaires per month). Direct rents out lists for direct communication by email, post or SMS (over 100 companies per month). Services comprise the execution of online direct marketing campaigns (over 45 million messages per month) and market research.
Traffic at IPT averages over 200,000 registrations per month, three websites (MyOffers, OK-mail, PayFinder.com) and databases. IPT currently has over 90 million questionnaires on its databases.
IPT Financial Performance
IPT announced its maiden preliminary results last March. For the year ended 31 December 2005, turnover rose 61% to £13.6 million, operating profits increased by 90% to £1.7 million, and profit before tax was up by 160% to over £2.6 million. Diluted EPS increased by 158% to 6.7p from 2.6p in 2004. Shareholder funds increased by £5.1 million to £11.7 million.
Lionel Thain said: "We continue to be delighted with the level of institutional investor support the Company has received. We continue to be excited about the future of the digital direct marketing place and the opportunities for growth in both direct marketing and on-line services. We have a broad customer base within our market, very good cash generation and a strong, experienced and ambitious management team."
27 April 2006
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Contract Win
ASOS.com, the leading online fashion and beauty retailer, has appointed Interactive Prospect Targeting Ltd ("IPH.L") to handle all its email marketing in a deal worth £500,000 over two years.
The account includes renting ASOS's 800,000-strong customer email database to selected third parties, and building a new 1.8 million email prospect database over two years.
With its state-of-the-art delivery and reporting systems and its market-leading websites for building opt-in email databases for blue chip brands, IPT's reach in the marketplace is ideally suited to ASOS's new email marketing needs.
- holistic list management, part of IPT, will manage the ASOS list exclusively as of 1st June
- MyOffers.co.uk, IPT's award-winning competition and data capture website and WebBrands.co.uk will build a new email prospect database of at least 1.8 million 18 to 34 year olds over the next two years with immediate effect.
Martin Kiersnowski, IPT's Chief Operating Officer said: "We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with ASOS. It has stolen a march in online fashion retailing and is a company that really understands the value and strategic importance of email marketing."
Nick Robertson, CEO of ASOS, said: "IPT has the scale, expertise and breadth of service we need to take the email channel to an even higher level for us. I am looking forward to working with them in this vital area."
14 March 2006
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Preliminary Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2005
IPT ("IPH/L"), one of the UK's leading online direct marketing companies, today announces record preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2005, its first full year of trading as a listed company on AIM.
Said Lionel Thain, Chief Executive: "Each of our operating divisions has performed to our expectations and continued to lead the market in its respective sector. 2005 represented another year of development and expansion."
Financial Highlights
- Turnover up 61% to £13.6m
- Diluted earnings per share up 158% from 2.6p to 6.7p
- Operating profits increased by 90% to £1.7m
- Profit before tax up by 160% to over £2.6m
- Shareholders funds increased by £5.1m to £11.7m
- £4.4m acquisition of Postal Preference Service (PPS), contributes to operating profits
- Excluding PPS acquisition, organic growth of 44%
- Secondary placing on AIM raising £2.8m, net of expenses
- Cash balances of £5.4m for expansion and investment
Operational Highlights
- Online advertising market fastest growing UK marketing sector
- Consolidated position as number 1 online consumer and services provider in the UK, to over 750 mainly blue chip organizations, with over 11 million registered consumers
- Flagship online data collection site UK's most active website, 3rd fastest growing in broadband user terms
- PPS adds postal database of over 3.5 million UK households, 9 million individual prospects
- Customer Acquisition Division: Continued expansion of tailored internet databases of consumer information via suite of websites
- Direct Division: Expansion of fast, low cost service targeting consumers for acquisition and brand building campaigns, including PPS
- Services Division: Growth in additional services to support clients' direct marketing needs, including IPT's own email bureau
- Innovation: Development of other web-based products/services, as incubator of new ideas for database development, contributed to group revenues
- Successful product launches; new products set for 2006
Prospects
Said Colin Lloyd, Non-Executive Chairman: "The new financial year has commenced in line with our expectations."
Said CEO Lionel Thain: "Our aim for 2006 is to continue to expand our core businesses and to develop new opportunities within the rapidly expanding market place in which we operate. The beginning of this year has seen our business continue to expand and develop, and this together with the continued growth in online marketing is reason for management, employees and shareholders to be optimistic."
8 February 2006
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Notification of Substantial Share Holding
In a letter dated 3 February 2006 Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings plc ("IPT") were informed that pursuant to Section 198 of the Companies Act 1985, as amended by Section 134 of the Companies Act 1989, that as at the close of business on 2 February 2006, JOHCM OEIC Managers LLP as discretionary manager is now interested in 1,481,435 Ordinary Shares of 40p each in Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings Plc.
Based on an issued share capital of approximately 33,185,000 Ordinary Shares of 40p each, this figure amounts to 4.46% of the issued share capita of Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings Plc.
Please note that the holding of 1,481,435 shares is a non-material interest for the purposes of Section 199 2A Companies Act 1985. JOHCM OEIC Managers LLP is interested as an investment manager of undertakings for collective investments in transferable securities (UCITS).
22 November 2005
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Trading Statement
Interactive Prospect Targeting "IPT" (AIM: IPH/L), the UK's leading online direct marketing company, is pleased to announce an update on trading for the financial year to 31 December 2005.
Following a positive outlook reported by the Company in its interim results, trading has remained strong. As a result, turnover in the financial year ending 31 December 2005 is likely to be in line with market expectations, with operating profits likely to be ahead of market expectations. Furthermore, based on the latest financial information available to the Company, IPT also expects profits for the 2006 financial year to be higher than current market forecasts.
Lionel Thain, CEO, commented: "We are absolutely delighted to provide our shareholders with a positive update. Our operating divisions have performed in line with forecast and the acquisition of PPS, which we completed in August, has achieved its revenue targets. As a result the Group has achieved substantial growth at a lower than estimated cost."
The Company expects to report its results to 31 December 2005 in March 2006.
22 August 2005
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Acquisition of Postal Preference Service Limited and Placing
IPT (IPH/L), the UK's leading online direct marketing company, is pleased to announce it has exchanged contracts to acquire the entire issued voting share capital of Postal Preference Service Limited ("PPS"), an offline and online direct marketing company, valuing PPS at £4.3million. IPT has agreed to pay a cash consideration of £0.675m for the equity shares in PPS to the vendors and will repay inter-company loans and other outstanding amounts owed by PPS of £3.6m.
The acquisition is earnings enhancing in 2006, based on data acquisition savings alone.
PPS, based in Richmond, Surrey, is being acquired from the Royal Mail Group Plc and Royal TPG Post B.V. (Dutch Post Office) and two private individuals in London and Belgium.
PPS is considered to be among Europe's leading providers of consumer preference data, or permission information, with a database of 4 million offline and 0.35 million online names in the UK and Europe, with the objective of bringing consumers and advertisers together. Its motto is: "More of the mail you want, less of what you don't want."
PPS preference service has been created for consumers, matching real customers needs, giving them an opportunity for the first time, to tell advertisers exactly what mail they want and what they would like to receive. The company's preference service consumer facing brand, Post Preference Service, asked consumers to list their mail preferences within an initial survey, also helping advertisers to ensure that their direct mail is welcomed, opened and responded to. IPT will have no right to use any logo or name of the Royal Mail Group following completion.
Commenting, Lionel Thain, Chief Executive Officer, IPT, said: "There are many key drivers to the acquisition of PPS. Above all, the acquisition opens an established channel to direct marketers to introduce email marketing. Growth of the enlarged Group will continue to be driven by the accelerating shift of direct marketing from offline to online. PPS will be earnings enhancing from 2006 through utilizing online data collection techniques alone."
He added: "IPT acquires another comprehensive database in a new business sector which offers growth opportunities. We also expect to make data acquisition savings, as PPS currently spends £3-4 per new addition and IPT will utilise the Internet to reduce this substantially. In addition, PPS will provide additional sales channels. Our future plans include moving the direct marketing clients of PPS online in the future, with PPS also providing new sales channels for IPT's own offline business. PPS gives IPT further credibility in the marketplace in providing joint offline and online solutions."
Regarding current trading at IPT, Mr Thain said: "IPT, which utilises the Internet, has made a confident start to 2005 trading. Online marketing spend is 'the hottest' advertising growth area."
Placing
IPT also announces that Canaccord Capital (Europe) Limited ("Canaccord") has raised £3 million on its behalf, by way of a placing of 2,610,000 ordinary shares in the company ("Placing Shares") with institutions at 115p per share. The placing will increase IPT's institutional shareholder base and replenish cash utilised for the PPS acquisition. In addition Canaccord has placed 1,000,000 existing ordinary shares on behalf of Atrium Venture Partners LP, one of IPT's original venture capital investors, at 115p per share in order to satisfy institutional demand.
Application for admission to trading on AIM for the Placing Shares has been made and trading in the Placing Shares is expected to occur on 25 August 2005. The Placing Shares will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing ordinary shares of the Company.
Commenting on the placing Lionel Thain said "We are delighted with the response by institutions to the placing, which was heavily oversubscribed, and look forward to creating value for our new and existing shareholders. The board considers this an important step in the evolution of the IPT and is pleased to welcome 10 more institutions to the shareholder list."
PPS
In its fiscal year ending 31 December 2004, PPS made revenues of £6.8 million and produced an operating loss of £0.2million. In 2004, PPS invested £3.8 million generating new additions and updates to its database. Tax losses brought forward amount to up to £7 million. PPS was established in 1999. Its management team and staff will remain with the business. Total PPS employees amount to 31. Its operations in Richmond will be assimilated into IPT's London Head Office operations in Victoria.
PreferenceData consists of the both Opt-inData and Opt-outData supplied by a substantial sample of the UK population. PreferenceData enables itself to introduce advertisers to the right customers at the right time - 'bringing advertisers and consumers together.'
The Preference Service holds PreferenceData on over 4 million households. This is compiled of specific requests for information on products/services and a large variety of attitudinal information.
Every advertisers' needs are different and the Preference Service has developed its products to reflect differing needs. The collection and supply of its PreferenceData takes part in many forms, tailored to customers' individual needs and to enable them to target their most profitable prospects.
PPS(tm) and Its Members
The PPS service is simple: by filling in a questionnaire, consumers advise PPS to inform participating advertisers which postal information they will send to members, removing unwanted advertising mail to consumers.
Online Advertising vs Total Market
IPT has both promoted and benefited from the shift in advertising expenditure from traditional media to digital channels, which offer advertisers significantly lower costs and faster execution.
In total, online advertising spend since the first quarter of 2001 has grown from £47.4 million to £196.7 million in quarter 4, 2004, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers/ Interactive Advertising Bureau, the Advertising Association/WARC.
These sources state that online advertising is the fastest growing area in the total UK advertising market: Internet was up to £0.7 billion or up 60.2% in 2004 against total advertising market growth of 5.8% per annum 2004. Of the total advertising market, in comparison, direct mail grew 0.1% to £2.4 billion; press display 4.0% to £3.7 billion; press display 5.4% to £3.2 billion; TV 5.4% to £4 billion; radio 5.9% to £0.6 billion; and, outdoor 7.8% to £0.8 billion. Quarter by quarter, online advertising spend since 2001 has steadily grown from £47.4million to £196.7million for the last quarter in 2004.
IPT
IPT operates in two overlapping marketplaces: direct marketing and online marketing. The Group’s two divisions, Customer Acquisition and Direct which conducts bespoke online direct marketing campaigns and database generation, and Services which is an online direct marketing outsourcing and market resource business, are focused on embracing data.
IPT's Directors believe that the Company has no single competitor in the UK across all of its diverse products and services.
IPT Limited was founded in 1999 in Central London by an experienced direct marketing management team. It is owned 42% by its management team and employees. The Company collects consumer data and communicates offers over the Internet.
The IPT client base has grown consistently. Between 2002 and 2005, Its extensive, blue chip list of clients have been drawn primarily from the consumer marketing sector and include both direct clients and their media agencies. IPT's Clients include: Cahoot; FilmFour; BBQ; Britannia; American Express; Guinness; Ocado; BMI; Kodak; Citroen; Dell; Yell.com; Littlewoods; Nestle; The Open University; Tesco; Tiscali; Sky; Dixons; Cadbury; Jaguar; Virgin Wines; Abbey; AA; The Cooperative Bank; Scottish Power; Sainsbury's; The Famous Grouse; RAC; Alliance & Leicester; Panasonic; British Gas; lastminute.com; Lloyds TSB; Norwich Union. IPT also managed client databases for Dial-a-Phone, the RAC, Lloyds TSB, Kuoni Travel, Ebookers, Universal Group Universal and BCA.
IPT has created and maintains a range of websites to collect consumer data, primarily via online questionnaires. Since inception, IPT has processed information from in excess of 90million such questionnaires. The Company has formed a number of online marketing partnerships that generate for IPT an average of over 200,000 registrations from consumers every month. Data collected enables IPT and its clients to send targeted offers by email, post, telephone and SMS.
IPT has also developed a range of complementary online marketing services including email delivery, database and microsite management and market research.
Customer acquisition data is collected from online questionnaires (2-3 million questionnaires per month). Direct rents out lists for direct communication by email, post or SMS (over 100 companies per month). Services comprise the execution of online direct marketing campaigns (over 45 million messages per month) and market research.
Traffic at IPT averages over 200,000 registrations per month, three websites (My Offers, OK Mail, Pay Finder.com) and databases. IPT currently has over 90 million questionnaires on its databases.
IPT Financial Performance
IPT announced its maiden preliminary results last March following entry onto AIM in December 2004. For the year ended 31 December 2004, turnover rose 37% to £8.4 million, operating profits increased by 106% to £0.9 million, and profit before tax was up by 123% to over £1 million. Diluted EPS doubled to 2.6p from 1.3p in 2003. Shareholder funds increased by £4.7 million to £6.6 million.
At flotation on AIM in December 2004, IPT raised £4.5 million (£3.9 million net of expenses), at a then market capitalisation of £23.4 million, at a placing price of 68p per share.
At the time of flotation, Lionel Thain said: "We are delighted with the level of institutional investor support the Company has received, which puts us in a good position to aggressively grow the business. IPT is excited about the future of digital direct marketing and the opportunities for growth. We have a broad customer base within our market, very good cash generation and a strong, experienced and ambitious management team."
28 January 2005
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Disposal
Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings Plc ("IPT" or "the Company"), one of the UK's leading online direct marketing companies, announces that it has sold its entire shareholding in Allegran Limited ("Allegran" or "the Company"), a London-based on-line marketing services company, for £450,000 in cash.
This shareholding, which arose as part of the consideration for services provided to Allegran by IPT, has not previously been recognised in the financial statement of IPT due to uncertainty as to its realisable value.
9 December 2004
Interactive Prospect Target Holdings plc
Placing and Admission to trading on AIM First Day of Dealings
Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings plc ("IPT" or the "Company"), one of the UK's leading online direct marketing companies, announces that its shares were admitted to trading on AIM today.
The Company has raised gross funds of £4.513 million, by way of a placing of 6,636,915 New Ordinary Shares of 0.4p each at 68p per share. At the placing price, IPT will have a market capitalisation on Admission of £22.57million. The number of Ordinary Shares in issue immediately following Admission is 33,184,575 Ordinary Shares of 0.4p each. The percentage of Enlarged Share Capital being placed pursuant to the Placing is 20%.
IPT intends to use the proceeds to facilitate greater organic growth in two areas. Firstly to increase it's client base and appeal by expanding its existing databases and secondly to increase its activity in the database management market. The Company will also use the proceeds to invest in information technology security and back-up systems and for acquisition opportunities that may arise.
Lionel Thain, Chief Executive Officer, commented "We are delighted with the level of institutional investor support the Company has received, which puts us in a good position to aggressively grow the business. IPT is excited about the future of digital direct marketing and the opportunities for growth. We have a broad customer base within our market, very good cash generation and a strong, experienced and ambitious management team."
