Final Results
CSS Stellar PLC
7 March 2002
7 March 2002
CSS STELLAR PLC FINAL RESULTS
CSS Stellar plc ('CSS Stellar' or the 'Group'), the sports and entertainment
management and marketing group, announces its unaudited preliminary results for
the year ended 31 December 2001.
2001 Highlights
* Turnover increased by 75% to £23.0m (2000: £13.2m)
* EBITDA increased by 91% to £4.0m (2000: £2.1m)
* Pre tax profit increased by 131% to £2.3m (2000: £1.0m)
* Fully diluted earnings per share increased by 269% to 7.19p (2000: 1.95p)
* Acquisition of GEM, leading American consumer marketing consultancy
* Acquisition of PFD, a leading European talent agency
John Webber, Chairman of CSS Stellar, said today:
'I am pleased to announce the Group's 2001 results, which represent the first
full year's achievements as a listed company following our successful flotation
on AIM in December 2000.
At flotation, we stated our acquisitive intent. In total, the Group made ten
acquisitions during the year, for an aggregate consideration of £21.1m. GEM and
PFD, the two major acquisitions, have significantly strengthened the
capabilities of the Group, bringing with them both new clients and talented
management and employees. Additionally, the Group benefited from significant
organic growth in the year despite challenging external factors.
We have made an encouraging start to 2002 with new client signings including
Juan Pablo Montoya, Michael Ball, 3M and UBS Private Banking, together with
client successes at the recent BAFTA and Olivier awards ceremonies.
Cross-selling opportunities within the Group are already arising and we are
delighted that this is contributing to the bottom line so quickly. We have also
noticed a renewed air of optimism in the USA with plans shelved by corporations
in 2001 being resurrected in 2002.
Further acquisitions are being reviewed which are expected to both progress the
implementation of the Group's strategy and be earnings enhancing.'
Enquiries:
CSS Stellar plc Tel: 020 7907 4520
Julian Jakobi, CEO
Sean Kelly, Finance Director and Deputy CEO
Weber Shandwick I Square Mile Tel: 020 7950 2800
Ben Padovan
Belinda Yates
Chairman's Statement
Introduction
I am pleased to announce the Group's 2001 results, which represent the first
full year's achievements as a listed company, following our successful flotation
on AIM in December 2000. The results for the year are impressive; turnover has
grown by 75% to £23.0m (2000: £13.2m), operating profits by 71% to £2.4m (2000:
£1.4m), EBITDA by 91% to £4.0m (2000: £2.1m) and earnings per share increased
from 1.95p to 7.19p. Additionally, the Group benefited from significant organic
growth in the year despite challenging external factors, with operating profit
from continuing operations increasing 26%.
The Board has set about implementing the strategy outlined at flotation - to
create through organic growth and acquisition a global management and marketing
business specialising in sports and entertainment. We continue to believe that
our selected sports and entertainment provide an effective marketing
communications link between large consumer brands and the consumer. As in
previous years, we expect these corporations to continue to increase their
expenditure on below the line marketing in 2002.
Acquisitions
In December 2000, we stated our intention to acquire businesses which could be
easily integrated into our existing operations or larger businesses which would
significantly progress our strategy. Overall, the Group made ten acquisitions
in the year, for an aggregate consideration of £21.1m. Two major acquisitions,
initially costing £18.6 million were completed, both are high quality businesses
which have significantly strengthened the capabilities of the Group, bringing
with them both new clients and talented new management and employees.
In July 2001, we completed the purchase of the GEM Group, Inc. ('GEM'),
headquartered in Atlanta for an initial consideration of £6.7m. GEM provides
large corporations with independent marketing solutions specialising in the use
of sport and entertainment. Major clients include Coca Cola, Procter and
Gamble, Sears, and UPS. We have also welcomed GEM's CEO Rick Jones to the Board
who brings to the Group considerable knowledge and experience of North American
sports marketing.
In November 2001, we purchased The Peters Fraser and Dunlop Group Limited
('PFD') - one of the leading television, film, theatrical and literary agents in
Europe for an initial consideration of £11.9m. The company has an impressive
client base which significantly strengthens our entertainment talent
representation business overall.
PFD has 29 agents managing clients such as Richard Curtis, Ewan McGregor, Kate
Winslet, and Nick Hornby, which have been added to our existing client base of
Dame Shirley Bassey, Michael Parkinson and Anne Robinson. As part of the
integration process we are moving a significant part of our central London
operations to the same building currently occupied by PFD in Covent Garden,
London.
We have also increased substantially our employee equity base with 173 members
of staff now owning shares or options in the Group. We continue, as a people
business, to view equity and option participation by our employees as an
important driver to achieving success at Group level. To this end, we are
establishing a Share Incentive Plan ('SIP') within the Group in the next tax
year.
Current trading and prospects
We have made an encouraging start to the year with new client signings including
Juan Pablo Montoya, Michael Ball, 3M, and UBS Private Banking, together with
client successes at the recent BAFTA and Olivier awards ceremonies. We have
negotiated a strategic alliance with Cordiant Group Plc's subsidiary 141
Worldwide, to provide their clients with sports and entertainment marketing
strategies and other related services. Cross-selling opportunities are already
being exploited within the Group and we are delighted that this commercial
integration is contributing to the bottom line so quickly. We believe there is
a renewed air of optimism in the USA with plans shelved by corporations in 2001
being resurrected in 2002.
There has been some less positive commentary about certain sectors of the sports
marketing industry. We continue to believe that the quality of the Group's
businesses, the level of contracted income and the focus on understanding our
corporate clients' marketing objectives will result in further growth this year.
We think it also important to reiterate that the Group has a policy of not
providing income guarantees to clients, whilst noting that these guarantees have
had a material adverse affect on other businesses operating in our markets.
In January 2002 we acquired a specialist cable TV marketing business, Vertical
Mix Marketing Inc., based in New York, with clients such as AOL, NBC and
Showtime.
Given the current trading of the Group and the highly fragmented nature of the
markets in which the Group operates, we believe the prospects for the Group to
deliver on its stated strategy to grow both organically and through acquisitions
are most encouraging.
Finally, I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone who has joined the
Group during the year and to thank all our employees for their efforts and
contributions in an exciting if, at times, challenging year. Collectively, you
remain the key to our future success. It is the constant improvement in the
quality of our people at all levels that gives me the greatest optimism about
the future of our Group.
John Webber
Chairman
7 March 2002
Chief Executive's Operational Review
2001 was another successful year for the Group. Pre-tax profits grew from
£1,008,000 to £2,330,000 driven by significant organic growth and earnings
enhancing acquisitions made predominantly in the second half of the year.
Clients
This year the client division made a profit of £2,619,000 (2000: £1,285,000) and
represented 81% (2000: 73%) of the company's operating profit pre-goodwill
amortisation. Highlights of the year included the following:
* Anne Robinson becoming a client
* The England Football Team qualifying for the World Cup
* Introduction of Reuters as a sponsor to golf
* Introduction of L&G Electronics as a sponsor to snooker
* Richard Burns winning the World Rally Championship
* GEM's client UPS nominated as NASCAR sponsor of the year
The client division has also been strengthened by acquisitions already mentioned
in the Chairman's Statement. After the acquisition of PFD, the talent division
is now of the size necessary for critical mass in the area of entertainment. In
addition, the acquisition of PFMA and 24/7 give the Group capacity to provide
financial advice to individual clients, which we believe is an important feature
of talent management.
GEM provides the Group with a strong North American presence and access to some
of the major North American corporations with over 30 clients including Coca
Cola, General Mills, Procter & Gamble, Sears and UPS.
The prospects for 2002 in the client division are encouraging. Allan McNish has
a sponsorship with Oris, Richard Burns has a deal with Nicorette, and GEM has
recently signed up new clients including UBS Private Banking and 3M. In
addition, PFD clients have received both BAFTA and Olivier awards and our new
Formula 1 client, Juan Pablo Montoya, is already challenging Michael Schumacher
for this year's title.
Events
The events division made an operating profit of £595,000 prior to its share of
goodwill amortisation (2000: £463,000). This area of the business represents
19% of the Group's operating profit.
Icon Display won an important three-year contract for the Wimbledon Tennis
Championship and continued to supply services to The PGA European Tour, The
Royal and Ancient, the ECB and UEFA for The Champions' League.
In May 2001 we exercised the option to purchase the outstanding 50% of ARB, a
specialist outdoor audio and lighting hire company for sports events. ARB made
a small contribution to Group profits, but suffered from the cancellation of a
number of events like the Windsor Horse Show because of the foot and mouth
outbreak.
The foot and mouth outbreak also impacted on CSS Entertainment's results for the
year with ticket sales during the summer concert season being lower than
anticipated. As a result of the overall size of this area of activity and the
structure of the arrangements with the artists the impact on Group profits was
minimal.
The growth in our client business has meant that from 1 January 2002 we have
split the client division into three distinct operating areas:
* Talent management representing sports and entertainment clients
* International sponsorship sales
* Marketing consultancy
Finally, as reported at the time of the interim statement of results to 30 June
2001, the Group disposed of its tennis event in Brighton; and following the
tragedy in New York on 11 September 2001, the Board decided in late September
not to proceed with the Seniors' Event in Dublin in 2002.
The outlook for events in 2002 is one of conservative optimism, the Group
benefits from some medium-term contracts and the Board believes the policy of
focusing on high quality, in terms of our clients, range of activities and
selective acquisitions, has been vindicated. Opportunities for further expansion
in this area exist but future corporate activity are expected to reflect any
changes in market values.
Julian Jakobi
Chief Executive
7 March 2002
Financial Review
Turnover
Turnover represents income from clients of the company and revenue from
providing services at events. The aggregate turnover increased from £13,179,000
in 2000 to £23,002,000, representing an increase of 74.5%.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales of £6,841,000 (2000: £6,042,000) relates entirely to the event
services business, including the implementation of tennis and entertainment
events owned by the Company. The events gross profit margin in 2001 was 35.4%
compared with 30.2% in 2000, an increase due to the set-up costs of the tennis
events written off in 2000. There was no cost of sales in the Client division
as in 2000.
Administrative Expenses
All other expenses connected with the ordinary course of business are classified
as administrative expenses. Overall these expenses increased from £5,389,000 to
£12,947,000. This reflects the increase in the size of the Group and is
primarily made up of salaries, which were £9,367,000 (2000: £4,286,000). There
has been an improvement in the salary to gross profit ratio, which was 58% in
2001 compared with 60% in 2000.
Acquisitions
During the year the Group spent a total of £21.1m on ten acquisitions.
We purchased minority and associate interests in Icon, ARB and CSS Stellar
Entertainment and sold 25% of CSS Stellar Tennis Limited for a £42,000 profit.
The aggregate cost of these minor acquisitions was £694,000 satisfied as to
£675,000 in shares and £19,000 in cash.
The Group spent a further £20.4m, of which 97% is represented by the Gem Group
and PFD acquisitions. This was funded by issuing £12.8m of equity and £8.3m of
cash and deferred loans.
EBITDA
This is defined as operating profits before interest, taxation, depreciation and
amortisation, which most clearly relates to operating cashflow, and which has
increased significantly in the year. In 2001 EBITDA was £4,042,000 (2000:
£2,114,000), an increase of 91%. The acquisition of ARB has significantly
increased depreciation, with a charge of £381,000 in the year.
Operating Profit
The operating profit of the existing businesses grew to £1,762,000 (2000:
£1,400,000), an increase of 25.8%; the acquisitions of GEM and ARB have both
contributed in 2001, with PFD being included from 22 November 2001.
Exceptional Items
The exceptional income in 2001 of £42,000 (2000: £170,000 expense) resulted from
the profit on the sale of 25% of CSS Stellar Tennis mentioned above.
Taxation
The level of provision for taxation in 2001 is £842,000 (2000: £674,000) -
representing a charge of 36% of profits.
Earnings per share
The fully diluted earnings per share of 7.19p (2000: 1.95p) has increased by
269%.
Liquidity and capital resources
The liquidity and capital resources raised on flotation have been primarily used
for investment purposes as detailed above.
Sean Kelly
Finance Director and
Deputy Chief Executive
7 March 2002
CSS STELLAR PLC
CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
Year ended 31st December 2001
2001 2000
Notes £000 £000
Turnover
- Continuing operations and share of joint venture 13,429 13,395
- Acquisitions 10,113 -
- Less: Share of joint venture (540) (216)
--------- ---------
Group Turnover 1 23,002 13,179
Cost of sales (6,841) (6,042)
--------- ---------
Gross profit 16,161 7,137
Administration expenses other than amortisation (12,947) (5,389)
Amortisation of goodwill (780) (348)
Administration expenses - Total (13,727) (5,737)
--------- ---------
Operating profit 1
- Continuing operations 1,762 1,400
- Acquisitions 672 -
2,434 1,400
Share of operating loss of joint venture (82) (41)
Exceptional items 2 42 (170)
--------- ---------
2,394 1,189
Interest receivable 170 38
Interest payable (234) (219)
--------- ---------
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 2,330 1,008
Tax on profit on ordinary activities 3 (842) (674)
Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 1,488 334
Equity minority interest 29 (90)
--------- ---------
Profit retained 1,517 244
===== =====
Earnings per Ordinary share (pence) 4 p. p.
Basic 9.00 1.97
Diluted 7.19 1.95
£000 £000
STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES
Profit for the financial year 1,517 244
Unrealised surplus on revaluation of freehold property - 171
--------- ---------
Total gains and losses recognised since last annual report 1,517 415
===== =====
CSS STELLAR PLC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
As at 31 December 2001
2001 2000
Notes £000 £000 £000 £000
FIXED ASSETS
Intangible Assets 5 29,225 6,347
Tangible Assets 6 3,507 1,137
Investments
- Interest in Joint Venture
- Share of gross assets 1,241
- Share of gross liabilities (820) 421
--------
Investments - Other 66 96
-------- --------
32,798 8,001
CURRENT ASSETS
Stocks and work in progress 266 147
Debtors 10,580 4,370
Cash at bank and in hand 1,896 3,929
-------- --------
12,742 8,446
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING
DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR (12,209) (4,131)
Net Current Assets 533 4,315
-------- --------
Total Assets less Current Liabilities 33,331 12,316
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING
DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE
YEAR (5,214) (400)
Equity minority interests - (74)
-------- --------
28,117 11,842
===== =====
CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Called up share capital 7 9,913 7,556
Share premium 7 13,176 3,357
Shares to be issued 7 2,932 350
Revaluation reserve 171 171
Profit and loss account 1,925 408
-------- --------
Equity shareholders' funds 8 28,117 11,842
===== =====
CSS STELLAR PLC
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
Year ended 31st December 2001
2001 2000
Note £000 £000 £000 £000
Cash inflow from operating activities 9 2,564 741
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Interest Paid (204) (219)
Interest Received 170 38
--------- ---------
Net cash outflow from returns on investments
and servicing of finance (34) (181)
Taxation (534) (336)
Capital expenditure and financial investment
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (482) (753)
Purchase of intangible fixed assets - (48)
Sale of tangible fixed assets 64 2,536
--------- ---------
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from capital
expenditure and financial investment (418) 1,735
Acquisitions and disposals
Purchase of subsidiaries (6,471) (52)
Net overdraft from purchase of subsidiaries (613) -
Purchase of joint venture - (462)
Sale/(Purchase) of investment - other 81 (96)
--------- ---------
Net cash outflow from acquisitions and disposals (7,003) (610)
Management of Liquid Resources
Sale/(Purchase) of short-term bank deposits 3,500 (3,500)
--------- ---------
Net cash outflow before financing (1,925) (2,151)
Financing
New shares issued 2,028 5,000
Less associated costs (98) (695)
Increase in debt 3,205 823
Repayment of debt (1,809) (2,213)
Capital element of finance lease rentals (363) (138)
--------- ---------
Net cash inflow from financing 2,963 2,777
--------- ---------
Increase in cash 1,038 626
CSS STELLAR PLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Year Ended 31st December 2001
Notes to the Financial Information
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
Year Ended 31st December 2001
Year Ended 31st December 2001
1. Analysis of Trading and Net Assets
Class of Business
Profit before
Divisions Turnover Taxation Net Assets
2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000
£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000
Client representation 12,407 4,521 2,619 1,285 20,905 5,572
Events 10,595 8,658 595 463 2,985 2,284
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
23,002 13,179 3,214 1,748 23,890 7,856
===== =====
Goodwill amortisation (780) (348)
-------- --------
Operating profit 2,434 1,400
Share of operating loss and net assets
of Joint Venture/Associates (82) (41) - -
-------- -------- -------- --------
2,352 1,359 23,890 7,856
Net interest (64) (181) - -
Exceptional items 42 (170) - -
Unallocated 4,227 3,986
-------- -------- -------- --------
Group profit before taxation/Net assets 2,330 1,008 28,117 11,842
===== ===== ===== =====
Geographical
Europe 16,695 12,734 1,770 913 20,190 11,842
North America 6,307 445 560 95 7,927 -
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
23,002 13,179 2,330 1,008 28,117 11,842
===== ===== ===== ===== ===== =====
The turnover, profit before taxation and net assets of the joint venture were
all within Europe.
The origin and destination of turnover, profit before taxation and net assets
are not materially different.
2. Exceptional items
2001 2000
£000 £000
Profit on sale of minority in subsidiary 42 -
Profit on sale of freehold premises - 473
Related cost of relocation - (200)
Listing expenses - (443)
-------- --------
42 (170)
===== =====
3. Tax on Profit on Ordinary Activities
United Kingdom corporation tax charge at 30% (2000:30%) based on
the profit for the year 783 674
Adjustment in respect of prior year charge (159) -
---------- ----------
624 674
United States taxation 218 -
---------- ----------
842 674
====== ======
4. Earnings Per Share
Weighted Per share
Earnings average amount
£ no. of shares p
2001
Basic Earnings per share
Earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders 1,517,000 16,858,009 9.00
=======
Dilutive effect of securities
Options and warrants 4,243,238
-------------- --------------
Diluted Earnings per share
Adjusted earnings 1,517,000 21,101,247 7.19
======= ======= =======
2000
Basic Earnings per share
Earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders 244,000 12,368,497 1.97
Dilutive effect of securities
Options and warrants 169,678
-------------- --------------
Diluted Earnings per share
Adjusted earnings 244,000 12,538,175 1.95
======= ======= =======
CSS STELLAR PLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
Year Ended 31st December 2001
5. Intangible Assets
Event
Goodwill rights Total
£000 £000 £000
Cost:
At 1 January 2001 6,893 48 6,941
Additions
Subsidiaries acquired in the year 23,690 - 23,690
Disposals - (48) (48)
---------- ---------- ----------
At 31 December 2001 30,583 - 30,583
---------- ---------- ----------
Amortisation:
At 1 January 2001 578 16 594
Charge for the year 780 32 812
Disposals - (48) (48)
---------- ---------- ----------
At 31 December 2001 1,358 - 1,358
---------- ---------- ----------
Net book value at 31 December 2001 29,225 - 29,225
====== ======
Net book value at 31 December 2000 6,315 32 6,347
====== ====== ======
6. Tangible Fixed Assets
Plant & Furniture
Freehold Motor event and
property vehicles equipment equipment Total
£000 £000 £000 £000 £000
The Group
Cost or valuation:
1 January 2001 530 495 301 760 2,086
Additions - 196 272 221 689
Acquired with subsidiaries - 1,129 1,064 2,421 4,614
Disposals - (94) (64) (2) (160)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
At 31 December 2001 530 1,726 1,573 3,400 7,229
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Accumulated depreciation:
1 January 2001 - 288 201 460 949
Charge for the year 15 204 228 349 796
Acquired with subsidiaries - 627 224 1,222 2,073
Disposals - (75) (21) - (96)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
At 31 December 2001 15 1,044 632 2,031 3,722
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net book value:
At 31 December 2001 515 682 941 1,369 3,507
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
At 31 December 2000 530 207 100 300 1,137
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
7. Called Up Share Capital
The following is the movement in shares, shares capital and share premium during the year:
Date Shares Share Share Share
No. Price Capital Premium
£ £000 £000
As at January 2001 15,111,178 7,556 3,357
Acquisition of
JRP Management 17 January 101,351 2.22 50 175
25% of Icon Display 28 February 296,000 2.28 148 527
GEM 03 July 1,196,690 2.70 598 2,628
Michael Parkinson Enterprises 06 September 55,555 2.70 28 122
Drivecircuit 06 September 74,074 2.70 37 163
The Sponsorship Consultancy 18 October 8,054 2.48 4 16
The Peters Fraser & Dunlop Group 22 November 2,037,735 2.65 1,019 4,381
Exercise of option by Alberdale 06 February 60,000 0.50 30 -
CSS Group (see below) 03 April 145,894 2.40 73 277
Share placing for cash 03 July 740,000 2.70 370 1,682
Cost of issuing shares (98)
--------------- --------------- ---------------
At 31 December 2001 19,826,531 9,913 13,176
======== ======== ========
Shares to be issued: £000
As at 1 January 2001 350
CSS Group consideration - transferred to shares issued (350)
Shares to be issued and deferred consideration 2,932
----------
As at 31 December 2001 2,932
======
8. Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds
2001 2000
£000 £000
Profit for the financial year 1,517 244
New Share Capital subscribed (including share premium) 11,924 5,065
Costs of issuing shares charged to share premium (98) (254)
Conversion of Convertible Loan Stock 2014 - 3,661
Revaluation of freehold property - 171
Shares to be issued 2,932 350
Net addition to shareholders' funds 16,275 9,237
Opening shareholders' funds 11,842 2,605
---------- ----------
Closing shareholders' funds 28,117 11,842
====== ======
CSS STELLAR PLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
Year Ended 31st December 2001
9. Reconciliation of Operating Profit to Net Cash Inflow 2001 2000
from Operating Activities £000 £000
Operating profit 2,434 1,400
Dividend paid to minority interest (22) (82)
Dividend received from Associate - 90
Depreciation charge 796 350
Amortisation of intangibles 812 364
Decrease/(increase in stocks) 9 (15)
Increase in debtors (784) (2,010)
(Decrease)/increase in creditors (681) 644
---------- ----------
Cash inflow from operating activities 2,564 741
====== ======
10. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net cash/debt
Increase in cash in period 1,038 626
(Reduction)/increase in short term bank deposits (3,500) 3,500
Cash (inflow)/outflow from increase in net debt
and lease financing (1,033) 1,626
Conversion of Convertible Loan Stock 2014 - 3,661
Net debt acquired on acquisition (2,370) -
---------- ----------
Change in net (debt)/cash (5,865) 9,413
Inception of finance leases (207) (98)
---------- ----------
(6,072) 9,315
Net cash/(debt) brought forward 2,812 (6,503)
---------- ----------
Net cash/(debt) carried forward (3,260) 2,812
====== ======
10. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net cash/debt (continued)
Analysis of Net Cash/(Debt)
At 1 Cash Non-cash At 31
January Flow items December
2001 2001
£000 £000
Cash at bank 429 1,467 - 1,896
Overdrafts (43) (429) - (472)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
386 1,038 - 1,424
Short term bank deposits 3,500 (3,500) - -
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
3,886 (2,462) - 1,424
Bank debt due after 1 year (317) (2,070) - (2,387)
Bank debt due within 1 year (209) (927) - (1,136)
Unsecured equity bonds 2004 (354) 250 - (104)
Guaranteed loan notes - (2,500) - (2,500)
Finance leases (194) (656) (207) (1,057)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total 2,812 (8,365) (207) (5,760)
====== ====== ====== ======
11. Principal accounting policies
The principal accounting policies of the Group are set out in the Group's 2000
Annual Report and Financial Statements. The policies have remained unchanged
from the previous Annual Report apart from the policy in relation to turnover
which has been amended to incorporate the activities of acquisitions during the
year and does not alter the amounts reported in the Group's 2000 Annual Report.
The policy is as follows:
Turnover, which represents commission and fees for client representation and
sales invoiced to third parties for event services, is recognised over the
length of the contract to which it relates either evenly, or by reference to the
contractually agreed invoicing patterns, or at the time services are performed.
Turnover excludes value added tax ('VAT') and similar sales-related taxes.
12. Financial Information
The financial information set out in this preliminary announcement does not
constitute Statutory Accounts as defined in Section 240 of the Companies Act
1985. The summarised Balance Sheet at 31 December 2001 and the summarised Profit
and Loss Account, the summarised Cash Flow Statement and associated notes for
the year then ended have been extracted from the Group's Financial Statements.
Those Financial Statements have not yet been delivered to the Registrar, not
have the Auditors reported on them.
The financial information relating to the period ended 31 December 2000 is
extracted from the statutory accounts, which incorporated an unqualified audit
report and which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange