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IPT Reports £1m Loss after 'Difficult' 2007
In the UK, direct marketing and data group IPT (Interactive Prospect Targeting) has posted a pretax loss of £966,000 for the year to 31 December 2007, compared with a profit of about £3.39m the previous year.
The firm - which offers a range of services from market research to online lead generation, and database building to fully managed e-mail campaign delivery - puts the loss down to a number of technology related issues, stiff competition in certain markets and a weakening of broader economic conditions. Its UK revenues in the fourth quarter fell 'well below' expectations.
However, CEO Lionel Thain says that the company's French operations performed above expectations and added that the core UK business is undergoing a 'strategic realignment' that will help it recapture profitability in 2008.
Last autumn, IPT received a takeover approach, which did not come to fruition. Thain confirmed that a new approach had been made, which is under consideration by the Board.
Last year, IPT bought a majority stake in online MR group RealWorld Customer Experience (RWCE), the parent of research firm Tpoll. Following the acquisition, the firm closed its online MR operation, Internet Market Research Services, and Tpoll is currently developing its own consumer panels.
Web site: www.ipt-ltd.co.uk .
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