Kuala Lumpur, 14 May 2015 – Media Prima Berhad (“Media Prima” or “the Group”), Malaysia’s largest fully integrated media investment group announced its financial results for the first three months of the financial year ending 31 December 2015. The Group recorded Year to Date 31 March 2015 revenue of RM329.39 million and Profit After Tax (PAT) of RM19.35 million with PAT margin of 6%.
On a current year to date comparison, the Group recorded lower revenue and PAT against corresponding period of 2014 by 6% and 30% respectively due to continuous market uncertainties and cautious advertisers holding back spending during the first quarter in view of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation in April 2015. For Q1 2014, Media Prima recorded revenue of RM351 million and PAT of RM27.6 million.
Media Prima had earlier announced the payment of a single tier dividend of 5.0 sen per ordinary share for the financial year ended 31 December 2014 to be paid on 26 June 2015.
Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar, Chairman of Media Prima said, “The Group expects 2015 to be another challenging year with increased competition within a highly fragmentised media industry. Furthermore, the recent implementation of the Goods and Services Tax had not only impacted business and consumer sentiments but also resulted in advertisers employing a “wait and see” approach while adapting their A&P and marketing strategies in view of the new tax regime.”
Dato’ Sri Amrin Awaluddin, Group Managing Director of Media Prima said “Media Prima expects ADEX would remain flat in 2015 as consumers slowly adjust to the tax system and consumer sentiment gradually normalises. In view of the challenges faced, the Group seeks to grow its non-traditional revenue while consolidating its market share in core advertising revenue. We will also continue to manage our costs by monitoring its key cost drivers, coupled with implementation of Group wide cost saving initiatives.”
On generating new revenue streams for Media Prima, Dato’ Sri Amrin added that the Group will continue to make strategic investments in content which will allow its media platforms to maintain their dominant leadership position within the industry and open up new revenue streams through content distribution and sales. Media Prima also aims to capitalise on its strong online presence through advertising and e-commerce avenues.
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