Aegis reports profit rise

Aegis, the marketing services group that owns the Carat network, reported a 16% rise in underlying pre-tax profits to £116.2m last year boosted by a strong performance from its digital operations.

Aegis Media reported a 10.3% rise in revenue to £595.7m with digital contributing 20%, up from 15% in 2005.

The group says its digital presence, through its Isobar business, compensated for a in other areas of media including network television and print media.

Aegis Group chief executive Robert Lerwill says the group expects to continue to “outperform” markets in 2007. It forecasts that the advertising and marketing research markets will grow by 5.8% and 4.5% respectively.