BRUSSELS, February 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
- 2011 operating profit growth target achieved
- Group's e-payment offering finalised, a springboard for major B2B growth as of 2012
- Mass-market publishing (B2C) optimised in Q4, reorganised to focus on the most profitable types of content
The Rentabiliweb Group (SIN code: BE0946620946-Mnemo: BIL) reports its consolidated revenue for the 2011 financial year. As expected and announced in October 2011, revenue was lower compared with 2010 (-7.5%), due to an unfavourable comparison basis for the second half-year, notably in light of a 70.4% rise in B2B revenue in the second half-year 2010.
Jean-Baptiste Descroix-Vernier, Chairman of Rentabiliweb, commented: "2011 represents the first operational phase of Rentabiliweb's strategic deployment: payment solutions for e-retailers (B2B micropayments) and a reprofiled entertainment network focusing on content with high-growth potential (clairvoyance, games, women's interest) in B2C."
In thousands of euros Q4 2011 Q4 2010 2011 2010 % change
Consolidated revenue 19 083 25 504 83 264 90 041 -7,5%
of which audience monetisation for
third parties (B to B) 6 684 12 188 34 133 38 480 -11,3%
of which audience monetisation for
own accounr (B to C) 12 399 13 317 49 131 51 561 -4,7%
Revenues for the final quarter of 2011 have declined by 25.2% to €19.1 million. As anticipated, it was adversely affected by factors already identified in the third quarter of the year. In addition to the unfavourable comparison basis (the Group posted record growth for its B2B business in the fourth quarter of 2010), the change in revenue fully reflects the discontinuation of micropayment solutions for Facebook applications.
It also reflects the impact of the accounting treatment of bank-card micro-transactions on revenue, which replaces clients' sales volume with commission only.
B2B division: strong growth in Telecom and Mailorama services; strategic positioning in ready-to-deploy payment services
Revenue from audience monetisation for third parties (B2B) was €34.1 million for 2011, 11.3% lower than 2010. As announced in the third quarter 2011, this development reflects:
- the introduction of Facebook credits from June 2011. The introduction of this exclusive virtual currency ended the financing of Facebook applications through micropayment solutions. This represented a full-year opportunity cost for Group revenue of €4 million for 2011.
- the impact of publishers' tending to replace payment by phone (for which the entire amount of the client's sales volume is recorded as revenue) by payment by bank card (for which only the commission is recorded as revenue).
Strong growth in Telecom and Mailorama services
Revenue was boosted by the excellent performance of online loyalty programmes and telecom services for e-retailers, which continue to show double-digit growth. Numbers of online-buyer groups continued to rise, reaching 2 million active members at 31 December 2011.
Strategic positioning on ready-to-deploy payment services
The Group's strategy regarding the deregulated market of European payments was successfully conducted throughout 2011, with an official launch targeted at French e-retailers at the beginning of 2012. Initiated by its being approved as a payment institution by the Banque de France, the Rentabiliweb Group, first online payment provider to be admitted to the Bank Card Group in France, directed its teams' efforts to developing its e-payment solution, Be2Bill, which was launched in January 2012. The Group can now devote its resources to rolling out this solution, which will come to fruition in 2012.
At the end of 2011, the B2B division was reorganised around an array of high-growth, profitable services offered to e-retailers (email retargeting, databases, customer loyalty, telecom and payment services).
B2C division: reorganised to focus on high-growth, profitable activities
Revenue from audience monetisation for Rentabiliweb's own account (B2C) totalled €49.1 million in 2011 (down 4.7% on 2010), representing limited negative growth and a marked improvement in the fourth quarter 2011 (-6.9% at €12.4m, following -22.3% in the third quarter 2011).
In the fourth quarter, the Group continued investing in marketing, while pursuing a robust drive to enhance profitability. Following on from the third quarter 2011, in order to meet the challenge of intensifying competition in its dating activity, the Group prioritised the allocation of resources to developing its most profitable activities focusing on profitable mass-market content, where online activities still only account for a small portion (e.g. women's well-being, personal coaching and astrology).
Promising development
The Astrology activity, which was integrated into the Group in March 2011, enjoyed the first fruits from the synergies developed with Internet Ranking teams. Together with the expertise of the Pure Voyance teams, these initial results are looking very promising for 2012.
Outlook: Confirmation of EBIT guidance
The Group attained its goal of slightly increasing its operating profit in the 2011 financial year, leading to an improved operating margin, both for B2B and B2C activities.
You can find the press release on the group's institutional website: http://www.rentabiliweb-group.com/en/?p=5865
About Rentabiliweb
Founded in 2002, the Rentabiliweb Group offers businesses and webmasters a leading platform of website traffic monetisation services (e.g. payment and micropayment solutions). It has been definitively approved as a Payment Body by the Banque de France and as a member of the French Bank Card Group (Groupement Carte Bancaire) for the provision of online payment solutions. It also runs affiliate programs, offers online advertising space brokerage and interactive voice services for offline media, and provides acclaimed expertise in loyalty programs and direct marketing.
Rentabiliweb is also one of the premier French-language content publishers, with a package of services spanning the full range of mass-market entertainment including astrology, community services, casual gaming, services for the general public, advice for Internet users, personal ads and dating, women's wellbeing, humour, entertainment and more.
Listed on Compartment B of the Euronext Brussels and Paris stock markets, the Group currently has 20 subsidiaries in Europe, Canada and Asia, with a workforce of about 200 worldwide. In 2010, Rentabiliweb's sales topped €90 million, with EBITDA up by 39.4% at €16 million.
Rentabiliweb is a socially responsible company in its sectors of activity, and rigorously applies the 10 principles laid out by the UN Global Compact.
The Group is eligible for FCPI investment funds, has received the OSEO "Innovative company" kitemark, and has received PCI-DSS certification for its bank card payment platform.
SOURCE Rentabiliweb
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