Trading Statement

Trading Statement

Next Fifteen Communications Plc

Next Fifteen Communications Group plc
AGM and trading updateAGM and trading update

At the AGM to be held today at 3.00 p.m., Will Whitehorn, Chairman of Next Fifteen Communications Group plc (the "Group"), will make the following comments with regard to trading and the business since the start of the current financial year, 1 August 2009: "Given the economic turmoil that affected almost every business at the start of calendar 2009, I am pleased to report that, with almost six months of trading under its belt, the Group has made a good start to the current financial year. We expect the interim results for the six months to 31 January 2010 to show revenue in line with the same period last year and profit before tax to be comfortably ahead.

“The climate for new business is steadily improving both from existing clients extending their relationship with us into new geographies and from new clients. During the current financial year we have won new business from Schneider Electric, Bloom Energy, Harman International, Kellogg’s, EZShield and Polycom.

“During this trading period the Group has acquired the New York-based Consumer agency M Booth Communications and the PR assets of Upstream Asia, which has now become Bite Communications’ Asian arm, giving them a presence in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney. Furthermore the Group has announced it is opening a pure digital consultancy called Project Metal and has acquired a further 30% of 463 Communications. At this time the Group has maintained a strong balance sheet and despite these investments expects to have only a modest net debt level at the half year.

“Looking to the full year, the Group is trading well. Last year at this time many clients cut their budgets as they started a new fiscal cycle in the face of a very uncertain economy. This has not been repeated, with many clients increasing their spend relative to last year. Given the good start to the year and the positive momentum the Group is experiencing, the Board is confident that it will meet current market expectations for the full year.

“Furthermore, the Group remains acquisitive and will seek to add some complementary businesses to the portfolio in the coming year. Interim Results are expected on 27 April 2010."

Name of contact and telephone number for queries:
Tim Dyson, CEO 001 415 350 2801Tim Dyson, CEO 001 415 350 2801
David Dewhurst, Finance Director 0208 846 0771David Dewhurst, Finance Director 0208 846 0771

Canaccord Adams Limited
Mark WilliamsMark Williams
Henry Fitzgerald-O’Connor 020 7050 6500 Henry Fitzgerald-O’Connor 020 7050 6500

Next Fifteen Communications Group plc