‘PRIVATE PLUMS’
SURVEY OF THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF PRIVATELY-OWNED UK MARCOMS BUSINESSES BUCKS RECESSION
Results International has recently published its annual Private Plums, a survey compiled in partnership with Bob Willott of Fintellect Ltd which examines the financial health of privately-owned UK marcoms businesses. The results are encouraging and show that despite the recession and client budget pressure, independent agencies are increasingly well run and achieving growth.
Seventy businesses reached the minimum revenue threshold of gross income over £2.5m for inclusion in the survey, up by 11.1% year on year.
Seven companies achieved the distinction of satisfying all eight of the highly demanding financial criteria – built around a scoring system of ‘Plums’ - set by the survey and consistently built profits and maintained a strong balance sheet, compared to last year when only two businesses did so.
This year’s juicy businesses, also mischievously know as ‘Private Plums’, that are deemed most likely to attract potential buyers are, in order:
1. CHI & Partners
2. ILG Digital
3. Latitude Group
4. Beattie McGuinness Bungay (from nowhere last year)
5. Albion Brand Communication (from 25th last year)
6. Ptarmigan Media
7. Response One (from nowhere last year)
Plums were awarded to participating companies for achieving set targets for items including gross income, operating profit, staff costs, borrowings and net current assets.
The full report is available from Results International at the cost of £49 plus VAT.
Please contact alurssen@resultsig.com for a copy of the report.
