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Chime Predicts 20% Growth
UK-based Chime Communications, which owns MR agencies Opinion Leader, Ledbury Research and Facts International, is predicting that operating income will be 20% up on last year's £43.9m. Chime has also appointed former Australian politician Richard Alston as a Non-executive Director.
 In a trading update for the first half of the year, the firm says that there is no evidence of performance being affected by the economic slowdown and adds that tight cost controls, a diversified business model and expanding international operations have all delivered against growth targets.
Chime says it has already achieved more than half its full-year operating profit target during the first six months of the year. In addition, all three divisions - public relations, marketing services and research - have delivered double digit growth.
Chairman Lord Bell commented: 'Our strong performance of last year has been maintained, with first half operating income 25% higher than last year. This, combined with our emphasis on tight cost control and good new business pipeline leaves us well placed to meet our expectations for the full year.'
In April, the group reported a 29% increase in first quarter profits. Interim results will be published on 27 August.
Alston previously served as Australian High Commissioner to the UK, and spent more than seven years as the Minister for Communications, IT and the Arts under Liberal Prime Minister John Howard. He is currently a member of the international advisory board of hedge fund CQS, as well as being an Adjunct Professor at Bond University Queensland and a member of the Bell Shakespeare and Melba Foundations.
Web site: www.chime.plc.uk .
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