Maiden Enjoys 4% Rise In Revenues During April

Outdoor advertising specialist, Maiden Group, has shown an overall increase of 4% in revenues in April and a 5% rise for the first four months compared to last year, despite challenging market conditions in the second quarter.

A statement given by the group’s chairman, Martin Boase, at the annual general meeting, revealed uneven growth across Maiden’s three business areas, with billboards continuing to show a decline. Boase said however, that this drop was “more than compensated by growth across the retail and rail businesses.”

Revenues for the group are flat in May, with current forward bookings suggesting June will show modest growth.

As previously predicted, advertisers reduced brand advertising during the general election period, with the reduced level of adspend impacting margins and profits in the second quarter of 2005.

Maiden also has just been appointed the preferred bidder for the ten year contract for Network Rail roadside billboards, worth £350 million in advertising revenues, representing an important step in the implementation of the group’s strategic development plan (see Maiden On Track With Network Rail Win).

Commenting on the Network Rail contract, Boase said: “We are now in a much stronger position to develop our billboard business for better and longer-term profitability. We have a firm competitive foundation from which to grow the business.”

Maiden: 020 7838 4000 www.maiden.co.uk