PA Group Annual Report 2007
GROUP CHIEF
EXECUTIVE’S STATEMENT
(continued)
images taken by staff photographers remains the backbone of the division’s and operating profits 39% ahead,
or scanned from our own archives and revenue and continues to go from significantly beating budget. The
more than one million new images from strength to strength across all markets. strongest performing sectors were
partner agencies to the PA Photos Contribution from press release marine and energy which both saw
website, significant increases on 2006. distribution services has also grown 40% growth as well as road and rail
2008 will see PA Photos able to significantly. which grew by 20%. The growing
provide video and features from its Looking ahead to 2008, the current take-up of multimedia content saw the
website which will help its continued worldwide financial uncertainty could internet sector increase by 37%.
growth in a market that is seeing impact on PA Business as the division’s We have taken considerable steps to
many clients wanting to supplement revenues are often generated from raise the profile of MeteoGroup across
still images with additional material. customers’ marketing spend which Europe and increase brand awareness.
The strengthening of restrictions by can be one of first casualties of global MeteoGroup has come to the attention
governing bodies has potential to economic downturn. However, we of major players in the market and
impact on our ability to sell images have been working during 2007 to limit we have acquired some prestigious
in certain market areas but we are customer churn and increase day- accounts, including National Grid in the
confident that we can work through to-day usage of services through an UK. The usage of website meteogroup.
these issues. increased focus on customer service com has also grown, with the number of
The acquisition of EMPICS in 2004 and account management and this will visitors almost doubling since its launch
has enabled us to build a photo division continue to be a key priority. at the end of 2006.
of significant size and scale which is I believe that this division has an The rapid growth of the business
making an important contribution to exciting role to play in the ever widening brings challenges to ensure this
the group. The executive team remain development of the group. expansion can be supported,
optimistic about future growth. specifically sourcing additional skilled
METEOGROUP staff in meteorology, management, IT
PA BUSINESS The star financial performance of 2007 and sales. This issue will be addressed
Following the acquisition of Thompson was undoubtedly MeteoGroup. The through 2008 with the introduction of
Stanley Publishers in December 2006, business continued to develop its new trainee schemes and additional HR
the integration of their team, start-ups in Poland and Sweden by resource.
newsletters and conferencing services investing in local forecasting and IT In the face of a more challenging
into PA Business was one of the resource and continuing to broaden economic climate, MeteoGroup’s
key objectives. The acquisition has market presence. business is less vulnerable to any
considerably strengthened the division’s Significant progress was made in changes as revenues are built on
position as a supplier of business the aviation market when our Dutch essential operational weather tools
intelligence to the technology, media business was the first private sector for industry and services that help
and telecoms sector along with email weather company in Europe to be customers reduce cost or manage risk.
newsletter The Morning Briefing. awarded a certificate qualifying us to I have been delighted by the
Select News, the new bespoke news provide weather forecasting to the civil performance of MeteoGroup since
service aimed at B2B publishers, was aviation sector. acquisition and it is playing a key role
launched in early 2007 and we are In the marine sector, ship routing in moving the group from a purely
providing nearly 70 unique stories a day product SPOS saw dramatic growth. media sector supplier to a much more
published across 20 different websites. At the end of 2006 SPOS was carried broadly- based information business.
I am pleased to report that PA Business on 1,000 vessels worldwide, and by
returned a strong financial performance the end of 2007 this figure was 1,500. CNW GROUP
with revenue showing a 19% increase MeteoGroup delivered a strong Equally the performance of CNW Group
on 2006 to £3.5 million. financial performance in 2007 is helping to build a broader-based
News monitoring tool Mediapoint with revenues 21% ahead of 2006 business. The company experienced
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