M&C hails 'star performer' Lida

New business from InterContinental Hotels, the National Trust and Virgin Holidays – as well as income from O2 – helped Lida bump up the profits of parent M&C Saatchi, whose latest results show revenue has risen 13% to £75.4m.
The DM agency, which has also just landed a place on the coveted Government marketing framework, got a pat on the back from M&C chief David Kershaw who said it was the “star” performer, along with the agency’s mobile division.
The UK accounts for almost half of the company’s turnover, and was among its best performing regions, owing to a boost around the London Olympics last summer.
The group’s headline operating margin increased to 20.2% in 2012, up from 19.5% a year earlier, although its statutory profit before tax was £9.9m, down 38.4% after accounting charges related to minority businesses it owns.
Kershaw said: “We did particularly well in CRM, that’s where Lida has been a star company. Mobile continues to do very well. We also had good news business wins including Etihad [Airways], Ballantine’s and Virgin Holidays.”
Lida scooped the O2 business at the tail end of 2011, and also works for Ikea and Boots.