Ipsos Ends Flat Year with a Good Q4

Ipsos has reported organic growth of just 0.7% for 2018, with currency fluctuations reducing reported revenue to EUR 1.7bn, 1.7% down on the previous year. Q4 revenue was up 4.5% to EUR 535.6m, as the firm consolidates recent acquisitions.

Ipsos said the partial consolidation of businesses it acquired during the final quarter (GfK assets and Synthesio) contributed to a 'positive' October to December performance. In 2019 it predicts a revenue rise of more than 10% at constant exchange rates, with organic growth of between 2% and 4%, provided there is no 'further deterioration in the macro-political environment'.

During 2018 Group headcount went from 16,000 to more than 18,000, incorporating a 1.5% organic increase, mainly in emerging countries, and the rest due to acquisitions.

Revenue for the consumer segment - which includes audience measurement, brand health, Ipsos UU (excluding pharma), social intelligence analytics and several other divisions - fell by 0.3% in organic terms. The 'clients and employees' segment (encompassing customer experience, market measurement, mystery shopping, quality measurement, retail performance and ERM), saw 1.3% organic growth; while the 'doctors and patients' line (qual and quant healthcare) revenue dropped 0.9%. Meanwhile, the 'citizens' segment (public affairs and corporate reputation) saw a significant rise, up 7.5% in organic terms during the year.

By region EMEA, which makes up 44% of Ipsos' total business, was flat (0%) in organic terms. The Americas, representing 37% of the group's total activity, shrank 0.9% in organic terms, reporting a 5.1% reduction. While business performance in the US remained steady, it fell in Latin America, and for the region as a whole, part due to political and social uncertainty following the Brazilian and Mexican elections. Finally, the Asia-Pacific region remained 'buoyant', the company having generated 19% of its revenue in the region. Total AsiaPac organic growth was 6.0%, with 'strong performance' noted in China.

Web site: www.ipsos.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.