Chime Communications, the UK-based marketing group being acquired by WPP and Providence Equity Partners, reported first half revenue fell nearly 5.7% to $289.7M as advertising and marketing services gains met restructuring charges and declines at its flagship sports and entertainment operation.
Profit slid 11.8% to $16.6M for the period over 2014.
Chime touted its first half 2015 operating income, which rose six percent to $161M.
Chime CEO Christopher Satterthwaite noted flat sports income came after $1.6M in restructuring costs and in comparison to 2014's robust gains from the FIFA World Cup and Sochi Winter Olympics. He sees Chime well positioned in the second half with the upcoming UK Rugby World Cup and Ashes Series (cricket), as well as next year's Olympic Games in Brazil.
The privately held group, which had $460M in 2014 revenues, agreed to a $580M takeover by WPP and PEP late last month to finance its expansion. Its PR units include Good Relations, Team Spirit and Harvard PR, and Chime singled out Good for continuing to make "good progress" in the brand and corporate PR space.
Key new business for Chime in 2015 includes Bose, PGA of America, Unilever Simple, Wrangler and Manchester City FC.
Advertising and marketing services rose nine percent in the first half to $71.1M with new work from Prudential, Bibbys and Formula E. Healthcare communications climbed 16% to $17.1M, while insight and engagement revenues rose 14% to $7.5M.
Abandon traditional content plans focused on a linear buyer progression and instead embrace a consumer journey where no matter which direction they travel, they get what they need, stressed marketing pro Ashley Faus during O'Dwyer's webinar Apr. 2.
Freelance marketers and the companies that hire them are both satisfied with the current work arrangements they have and anticipate the volume of freelance opportunities to increase in the future, according to new data on the growing freelance marketing economy.
Home Depot's new attempt to occupy two market positions at once will require careful positioning strategy and execution to make it work.
Verizon snags Peloton Interactive chief marketing officer Leslie Berland as its new CMO, effective Jan. 9. Berland succeeds Diego Scotti, who left Verizon earlier this year. 
Norm de Greve, who has been CMO at CVS Health since 2015, is taking the top marketing job at General Motors, effective July 31.
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