Telme.Com PLC
17 August 2000
TelMe.com plc
AGM Statement
Compared to the first quarter of last year:
* Gross sales and turnover were both up by more than 35%
and gross margins increased as a result of initiatives to
improve performance.
* Operating expenses increased, but the majority of this,
about £0.4 million, was exceptional marketing expenditure,
which was the final phase of the launch campaign for the
Group's electronic travel service 'TelMe Global Traveller'.
* The result was that Group performance overall improved
despite the exceptional marketing spend. This trend is
expected to continue in future months.
This continuing progress has been achieved as a result of
strong improvement across all our divisions.
The Customer Information and Database Management Division,
which operates in the Customer Relationship Management
market, accounts for the bulk of the Group's turnover at
around 60% and is the main core of our business.
* Turnover increased by a further 38% compared to the
same quarter last year, driven forward strongly by new long
term contracts for added value outsourced services with
customers including Powergen and Eastern Group.
Our confidence in this sector is high, as we believe it
offers exceptional growth opportunities.
Our Corporate Travel division, which was loss making last
year, has recovered strongly and is now contributing
positively to Group performance.
* During the first quarter, turnover grew by 30% compared
to last year and the continued emphasis on strong
operational controls, together with the growth in the volume
of business booked online, had a positive effect on
efficiency and profitability.
The Online Services Division remains an exciting and vibrant
area of our business with good prospects for the future as
the markets in which we operate develop.
* Turnover increased by 50% compared to the first quarter
last year.
* TelMe Global Traveller, the Internet booking service,
has continued to grow through an effective launch campaign
and a number of high profile affiliate deals. Our service
is made available through well known Internet portals such
as Freeserve and Egg in return for a share of commission
revenues. These affiliate deals have enabled the value of
annualized ticketing to grow to more than £6 million per
year.
* Success has also been achieved in selling electronic
commerce systems to the travel industry with various
international contracts signed.
* As expected, operating costs within the Online Services
division increased compared to the same period last year as
a result of both increased levels of business and
exceptional marketing costs of £0.4 million. These costs
are expected to reduce over the course of the year.
We remain focused on developing our businesses both
organically and by acquisition and expect the current
positive progress to continue.
For further information, please contact:
TelMe.com plc
Graham Ramsey 020 7240 2640
Richard Law 0802 346 006
Golin/Harris Ludgate
Richard Hews/Victoria Martin 020 7253 2252
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