Strong Growth for Chime's Insight Division

UK Group Chime Communications has reported a 17% revenue hike for its Insight and Engagement division (CIE), to £12.1m for the year 2011. Operating income rose 8% to £7.9m.

The CIE division includes agencies Opinion Leader Research, Facts International, acefieldwork, CaucusWorld, Naked Eye, Brand Democracy and Tree. Earlier today, Chime also announced the launch of a new digital research agency called Watermelon Research, which Chime says is already profitable.

For the year 2011, the CIE business reported a 35% increase in headline operating profit to £1m, a margin of 12.8% compared with 10.3% in 2010.

Overall for the group, revenue was up 8.7% to £325.9m, while pre-tax profit increased 16% to £24.7m.

CIE represented 5% of group operating income, while PR accounted for 42%, Advertising and Marketing Services for 28%, and Sports Marketing 25%.

Group Chairman Lord Bell commented: 'In 2011 Chime has had its seventh successive year of growth in operating income, operating profit and margin. The group is well positioned for the future.'

Web sites: www.cie.uk.com and www.chime.plc.uk .