Chime Research Income Up 20% But Poor Qual Show

UK marcoms group Chime Communications has reported a 20% rise in revenue for the first six months of the year, but has warned that while its quant business maintained a 'good performance', its qual business is unlikely to return to profit until the fourth quarter.

During the period, Chime's Research & Engagement division - which includes Opinion Leader Research, Facts International, acefieldwork, CaucusWorld, Naked Eye, Brand Democracy and Tree - reported an increase of revenue from £4.7m to £5.7m. Operating income rose 12% to £3.9m from £3.5m in the prior year period. However, headline operating profit dropped from £379k to £353k.

Tree, the group's data analytics business, experienced 'good growth' in the first half of 2011, against a poor performance from the group's qual division. Overall, the Research & Engagement division remained profitable and Chime is expecting it to return to growth in the second half of the year and beyond.

Chime is organised into four operating segments: Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing Services, Sports Marketing, and Research. Overall, the group reported a 13% rise in operating profit to £14.5m for the first half of 2011, while operating income grew 10% to £78.4m.

Chairman Lord Tim Bell commented: 'We are pleased with the first half of 2011, but we cannot be complacent about the second half. This is a time of great uncertainty in global economics and global politics which presents both communications opportunities and challenges not only for our business, but for the marketing industry as a whole.'

Web site: www.chime.plc.uk .