Saatchi gets a boost with advert deals

Advertising agency M&C Saatchi has seen its half-year profits grow 6 per cent after picking up a string of new contracts around the world.

The London-based group said revenues in the UK, its largest market, rose 8 per cent to £39.1 million as it secured work from companies including Adidas and Land Rover, as well as a digital advertising deal with Royal Bank of Scotland.

An “exceptionally” good start at its new Stockholm office – which won deals from Carlsberg and Google – along with a jump in business in the US, helped pre-tax profits for the six months to 30 June rise to £9.3 million, from £8.7m a year ago, on revenues 5 per cent higher at £87.1m.

Chief executive David Kershaw said: “We are confident that we will continue to make progress in 2013 and beyond.”

Shareholders will receive an interim dividend of 1.21p a share on 15 November, up from last year’s payout of 1.1p.