Acquisition Drives Creston Insight Revenue Rise

Marcoms group Creston's Communications & Insight team has reported a 12% revenue increase in revenue to £62.9m for the year ending 31st March 2016, with like-for-like revenue up 2% to £57.5 million and an acquisition accounting for much of the rest.

In 2014, the group launched a new brand called Creston Unlimited, which has added the suffix to the names of all its group companies including insight agencies ICM, Marketing Sciences, and Walnut, and leaves the Communications and Insights businesses reported as one division.

Creston says the revenue increase in the division was driven by the acquisition of user experience, digital design and technology consultancy How Splendid Ltd; 'good' new business performance; and the broadening of its services to key clients. During the year, Communications & Insights Headline PBIT increased by 11% to £9.0m, due to the inclusion of Splendid Unlimited, however Creston says the Headline PBIT growth was offset by the weakening Euro, and an increase in operating costs to service an anticipated higher level of revenue earlier in the year.

For the group, annual revenue rose 8% to £82.6m, with a 1% increase of profits to £10.1m. The Communications & Insights division accounted for 76% of the group's revenue. CEO Barrie Brien (pictured) commented: 'Over the last year we have made good progress against our five year strategic plan and the team has been working hard to integrate the strategy across the Unlimited Group. As a result we have been able to drive another year of improved new business and increased our full service offering for key clients'.

Web site: www.creston.com .