Chime Research Division Eyes Profit Increase

In the UK, Chime's Research and Engagement division - which includes Facts International, Opinion Leader Research, CaucusWorld, acefieldwork, Naked Eye and Brand Democracy - says it is expecting increased profit in the second half year.

For the period 1 July 2010 to 16 November 2010, Chairman Lord Bell said the division had seen a period of recovery, adding his belief that the real benefits of Chime's 2010 investments in new recruits will 'flourish in 2011 and beyond'.

Earlier in the year, the division's CEO Crispin Beale announced a strategy to recruit the 'best and brightest individuals' in the industry. Since then, he has hired a number of senior agency and clientside players, including: Wardle Mclean Director Dominic Scott-Malden; GfK NOP's Michael Thompson; Dixon Group customer experience specialist Shaendel Hallett; Toluna exec Mark Squires; former Social Democratic Party researcher Sarah Horack; and Royal Mail's Head of Business Intelligence Sinéad Jefferies.

Bell said performance across the group had been ahead of expectations, with second half performance set to improve upon the first half. Chime has continued to control costs carefully, he adds, leading to an improved margin in 2010, and 100% of group operating income for the year is now confirmed.

The Public Relations arm showed strongest organic growth, while the Sports Marketing Division performed well, and the Advertising and Marketing Services unit remained flat. International income as a percentage of total income continues to grow so the group is less dependent on the UK economy.

'2010 is proving to be a very good year for Chime and we are feeling confident about our prospects for 2011,' stated Bell. 'All of our top 30 retainer clients (48% of 2010 operating income) have renewed for 2011 or we are in negotiations to renew.'

Web site: www.chime.plc.uk .