Cello Reports 14% First Half Revenue Rise

Insight and marketing group Cello has reported a 14.3% revenue rise to £71.5m for the six months to 30th June 2013, up from £62.6m in the prior year period. Gross profit increased 7.9% to £34.4m.

Cello's insight division includes agencies Leapfrog, 2CV, MRUK, RS Consulting, Insight Research Group and MSI.

Last year, the firm split its business into two divisions: Consumer and Health. For the first six months of the year, the former reported an 11.6% rise in gross profit to £16.7m, with growth driven by continued recovery in core activity areas, including improved consumer market research spend.

In the Health division, gross profit was up 5.5% to £17.3m, in small part due to strong sales of its eVillage online community health research product which contributed over £0.5m to revenue during the period.

CEO Mark Scott (pictured) says last year's 'refocusing' has begun to demonstrate its potential. He adds: 'The group had an excellent first six months of the year in both overseas and domestic markets. We look forward to continued progress in the second half and a strong full year outcome.'

Web site: www.cellogroup.co.uk .