« Photolibrary recognized by UK Trade & Investment | Main | Corbis signs partnership for India »

A21 reports upbeat 3Q06

a21_pot_o_goldA21 Group, owner of Superstock and ArtSelect, has reported 3Q06 results showing significantly improved operating performance over the 2nd quarter. Year over year comparisons showed a dramatic increase in revenue of 190% from the 3rd quarter of 2005 to this most recent quarter. Those figures reflect, however, the added revenue from two acquisitions made earlier this year, those of Art Select, a consumer art and framing business and Ingram Publishing, a royalty-free image production company. Year-over-year, revenue showed organic growth for the third quarter of 10%.


More importantly, the comparison between the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2006 reflect improved managerial efficiency resulting in positive EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; a reflection of the operating profit from the company's core business activities) for the first time.   Total revenue from 2Q06 to 3Q06 grew by 31% from $4.4MM to $5.9MM.  Revenue for the 3rd quarter came about 50% from image licensing and 50% from the consumer product business.  While the gross profit margin for the business overall remained steady at about 38%, Selling, General and Administrative expenses dropped dramatically as a percentage of Gross Revenue from 84% in 2Q06 to 59% in 3Q06.  The company still showed a loss for the period, but a narrower one having lost $2.2MM in the second quarter and $1MM in the third.

"The third quarter was a period of progress in the transition of the Company's business and leadership," said Phil Garfinkle, Executive Chairman of a21. "This past quarter we solidified our new leadership team, completing a transition for a21 that included raising capital to support our growth initiatives and expanding our business through a major acquisition. Now, with both the leadership and resources to support our growth in place, our energy will increasingly be focused on leveraging our strong brands and industry experience to capitalize on the growth opportunities throughout the online digital media marketplace."

"I am extremely pleased to see our organic growth in the double digits," said John Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer of a21. "Considering the management transition, the operating teams remained focused on our customers."

The improved operating performance kept the company's cash position strong, as well.  At September 30, 2006, the Company's cash position was $6.2 million and working capital $6.5 million. Cash used in operations for the third quarter of 2006 was down significantly on a sequential basis from cash used in operations during the second quarter of 2006.

Thomas Costanza, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of a21, stated, "With the capital raised during 2006 and the contributions being realized from our combined businesses, we are in good position to drive further operating improvements through revenue growth and operating leverage. In the third quarter, we reduced cash used in operations. We aim to further strengthen our financial position and operational results to create significant value for our shareholders."

Click here to view the original press release. 

Comments

I’m very pleased to read about the A21 good results. This could prove that when you hire people like my friend Ellen Boughn who know the business, the results come.

Post a Comment







(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)




Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Please enter the word you see in the image below:


Job Board

Visit our new job board!

Intraday Stock Charts

Quotes delayed by 15 minutes

Getty Images, Inc.
(GYI)

Jupitermedia Corporation
(JUPM)

This site is licensed under a Creative Commons License.