Avanti ad sales jump 145%

Avanti Screenmedia Group, the digital media company, reported a 145% surge in advertising sales for the six months ending December 31 2007. The company says the increase was boosted by new contract wins, including the showcase mall at Bluewater.

It has reported that like-for-like turnover for the past six months of last year was up 112% to £2.64m, compared to £125m during the same period in 2006. The out-of-home company says its new strategy, which involves growing its client base while cutting costs, also added to the boost.

Avanti Screenmedia chief executive Simon Rees (pictured) says: “Despite a challenging trading period, the company has made a strong start to the new financial year, and the results for the six months reflect the beginnings of positive implementation of Avanti’s new strategy.

“Our ability to draw on a range of technological, distribution and creative innovations through in-house development and strategic partnerships is key to our growth in the future,” he adds.

Rees was appointed in June last year to reposition the company and has since set up a local advertising sales team, which has generated £1m of contracted revenues since August 2007.