Asia Business Media

Saturday, August 25, 2012

SEEC Media’s profits jump 38%

News this week: Hong Kong-listed SEEC Media announced its interim results for the six months ended 30^th June 2012. The company generated revenues of US$30 million, an increase of 12% over the same period in 2011. Net profit in the first half was US$2.4 million, up 38% year-on-year. Diluted earnings per share in the six-month period were HK$0.011 (US$0.0014).

More than 93% of SEEC’s revenues were generated from its advertising business, which amounted to US$28 million. This represents a 14% increase over the first half of 2011. The remaining revenues (US$1.9 million) were generated from the sale of books and magazines – or a year-on-year decrease of 9.0%.

SEEC reported revenues from its flagship magazine, Caijing, increased by 25% compared to the first half of last year. The company, however, did not separately report on Caijing’s revenues. Sports Illustrated (China) recorded a stand-out performance in the first half of the year. The magazine recorded an impressive growth of 45% - largely due to the London Olympic Games.

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Global Sources’ revenues in Q2 US$67 million

News this week: Yesterday, NASDAQ-listed Global Sources reported its financial results for the quarter ended 30^th June 2012. Revenues in the second quarter were US$66.8 million, mostly flat compared to last year’s US$66.5 million. Net profit attributable to shareholders was US$9.7 million, a drop of 3.6% from 2011’s US$10.1 million.

Global Sources’ exhibitions business expanded with revenues of US$30.5 million, up 4.8% from the US$29.1 million recorded in Q2 of 2011. Online services generated US$30.0 million in the quarter, compared with US$29.9 million in 2011. Revenues from print services dropped 28% to US$4.4 million, down from last year’s US$6.1 million.

Global Sources also released its half-year results for the six months ended 30^th June. Revenues in the period were US$105.7 million, up 1.6% from US$104.1 million in the first half of 2011. Net profit attributable to shareholders was US$12.8 million, a year-on-year decrease of 5.9% from last year’s US$13.6 million. Diluted earnings per share in the first half were US$0.36.

Global Sources’ management forecasts revenues in the second half of the year to be between US$120 million and US$122 million. This is similar to revenues recorded in the second half of 2011 which were US$121 million.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Spielwarenmesse to launch toy fair in India

News this week: According to media reports, German-based exhibition organiser, Spielwarenmesse eG, will launch the Kids India fair for the toy industry in Mumbai next year. Kids India will take place at the Bombay Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) from 24^th to 26^thOctober 2013.

Kids India will be supported by the Indo German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC). Exhibition product categories will include toys, baby articles, licensed products, and sports, leisure and hobby-related articles. Spielwarenmesse is also the organiser of the International Toy Fair in Nürnberg.

Ernst Kick, CEO of Spielwarenmesse eG, was quoted saying, “The Indian market is ready for a fair with an international impact. More than 800 toy manufacturers, exporters and suppliers ensure that the Indian market grows constantly… IGCC has enormous expertise. It regularly organises international fairs in India and as our representative in Nuremberg knows the Indian toy market very well”

Network18’s publishing unit posts ‘steady’ revenue

News this week: Indian media group, Network18, parent company of B2B publisher Infomedia18, announced financial results for the quarter ended 30^th June 2011. Group revenues were US$87.8 million, an increase of 35% over the same quarter in 2011. The group reported a net loss of US$16.4 million compared with a loss of US$11.5 million in the same quarter last year.

Mumbai-based Infomedia18, who recently restructured to incorporate its publishing business under new division Network18 Publishing, reported “steady performance” with revenues of US$4.3 million and an operating loss of US$880,000 during the quarter.

BOL revenues down, profits up

News this week: Business Online (BOL), Bangkok-based business information provider, has reported on financial results for the quarter ended 30^th June 2012. Revenues for the quarter were US$2.8 million, a decrease of 7.3% over the same period last year. Profits for the period were US$850,000, up 13% from last year.

For the six months ended 30^th June, revenues were US$5.2 million. That is a decrease of 9% over the first half of 2011. Approximately 67% of revenues or US$3.5 million were generated from its online information services. Net income in the first half was US$1.3 million, a jump of 20% over H1 last year. BOL’s management reported that diluted earnings for the first half were Baht 0.05 (US$0.0016) per share.

TTG reports 8% profit increase

News this week: Earlier this week, Hong Kong-listed China.com announced its results for the six months ended 30^th June 2012. China.com is the owner of TTG Media, a B2B media group serving the travel trade in Asia. Revenues were US$5.7 million, up 4% compared with the first half of 2011.

The company also reported a profit of US$870,000 from the segment – an increase of 8% from H1 last year. Management attributed the increase to two successful trade shows (ASEAN Tourism Forum and IT&CM China) organised in January and April.

Overall H1 revenues at China.com were US$8.7 million, up 7% compared to the same period last year. TTG accounted for about 66% of China.com’s revenues in the first half, while other revenues were generated from China.com’s Internet portal business.

CCID first half revenue up 7%

News this week: Hong Kong-listed CCID Consulting announced its interim results for the six months ended 30^th June 2012. Revenues were US$10.4 million – an increase of over 7% compared with the first half of 2011.

The company recorded a net profit of US$1.3 million, a decrease of 4% over the same period last year. The management attributed the fall to an increase in development fees from business development.

CCID’s management and strategy consultancy services generated revenues of US$6.7 million or 64% of total revenues. This is a 27% increase compared with the same period last year. The company’s market research business, generated US$1.9 million which accounted for 19% of total revenues – a 17% year-on-year decrease. The remaining revenues were generated from CCID’s Information Engineering Supervision services.

TCEB organises forum to prepare for AEC

News this week: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) will organise a regional forum this year titled “AEC 2012: The Cutting Edge Strategy for MICE Industry” to strengthen Thailand and the region’s MICE sector ahead of the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.

A draft master plan is expected as a result of the forum, with attendees including delegates from the ASEAN Commercial Counsellor. TCEB expects the AEC formation to result in 100% growth for Thailand’s MICE sector, which will generate revenues of US$4.1 billion by 2016.

TCEB has identified four key themes for the forum: 1) Strategies for expansion of trading opportunities and investment for Thailand’s MICE industry; 2) Guidelines for Thai MICE operators doing business in ASEAN countries; 3) Guidance in drafting of regulations and risk management for Thai MICE operators following liberalisation under AEC; and 4) Support for MICE operators from government agencies in ASEAN member countries.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Two convention centres proposed in India

News this week: According to media reports, plans to build two convention centres in India have been revealed.

The first, announced by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTCD), is planned for Nashik in the state of Maharashtra – located 180km from Mumbai and 202km from Pune. The venue site is proposed 10km from Nashik’s city centre, and will include residential and conference facilities for up to 1,000 delegates with potential supporting amenities to include an amusement park and water sports attraction.

The second convention centre is planned in Mohali by the Punjab state government, and will have a capacity of over 5,000 seats. There is also reportedly space for an exhibition centre, with supporting facilities to include a 300-room hotel and a commercial area to include service apartments, resorts and offices.

Sarvjit Singh, chief administrator of Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), commented on the Mohali prospect, “The land has already been acquired for the convention centre, which is a part of existing Knowledge City. Also, GMADA has given a mandate to Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) for the development of convention centre… PIDB will hire a consultant for the project and would ask them to conduct a feasibility study of the project.”

Cashmere World moves to Hong Kong

News this week: Cashmere World will move from Beijing to Hong Kong in September this year. The organisers, UBM and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-products (CFNA), announced the first Hong Kong edition of Cashmere World will be held together with Fashion Access, another UBM event, from 27^th to 29^th September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

Cashmere World, formerly China Cashmere Fair, was launched in 2007 in Beijing and renamed to Cashmere World in 2010 when the two parties teamed up to co-organise the event. The 2011 edition was held at China National Convention Center in Beijing from 24^th to 26^th October, which attracted about 2,500 buyers.

Exhibitors at Cashmere World range from those involved in raw materials, manufacturing technology and standards to finished fashion products. The organisers estimate about 6,000 buyers will participate in the Cashmere World and Fashion Access this September.