Ipsos revenues increase by 14% for the first quarter 2002
Growth has been significant in most Ipsos sectors of specialisation. Marketing and advertising research - accounting respectively for 52% and 22% of the Group's consolidated revenues - increased by 21% and 17%, year-over-year. Of particular note is the strong performance of advertising research (14% organic growth) through Ipsos-ASI, the Group's dedicated global brand in this category.
In other sectors of specialisation, growth has been satisfactory except for media research. The drop in the advertising revenues of major media groups has affected this activity which accounts for 10% of the Group's turnover. It should be noted that all major audience measurement contracts conducted by Ipsos mainly in Europe and Latin America are multi-annual in nature, which bodes well for the long-term.
Activity is very good in North America which now accounts for 43% of the Group's revenues, and satisfactory in Latin America despite the Argentinean crisis.
In Europe, revenues for the first quarter remained steady on a like-for-like perimeter. Activity was affected by the fact that Ipsos has discontinued its partnership with Jupiter MediaMetrix in Internet audience measurement. In addition, France had a difficult start of the year in part because of the elections, which traditionally prompts research buyers to scale back their activities.
Prospects.
For the second quarter, the Ipsos Group believes the growth rate should be close to that of the first quarter; however, organic growth should accelerate this summer. On the basis of these prospects, the Ipsos co-chairmen say they feel confident Ipsos will reach its 2002 objectives, with organic growth reaching at least 8% and an improved operating margin.
Contact Ipsos: Laurence Stoclet, Ipsos CFO Tel : + 33 1 53 68 19 45 [email protected]
