Contract wins give boost to Saatchi

The agency, which was founded in 1995 by Charles and Maurice Saatchi, was chosen by Google for a campaign to rebuild its profile after last year’s online privacy issues, while Pernod is rolling out a new vodka brand in Eastern Europe.

A recent push overseas also saw it win the account from computer maker Lenovo in China and German engineering firm Siemens in Europe, while the newly formed data and social arm picked up Boots, BMW and fast-growing money lender Wonga.

Analysts said the results were well ahead of forecasts, especially the boost the new business gave to like-for-like organic revenue growth, which rose by 21 per cent.

Underlying profits rose from £6.3m to £7.7m in the six months to June 30 on sales 23 per cent ahead at £71.9m.

The group’s UK operation contributed the bulk of profits after a “very good” half, with its profit contribution rising by 23 per cent to £6.5m.

Chief executive David Kershaw said the rest of Europe also did well, though profits fell in Australasia and Asia due to the loss of the ANZ Bank account and pricing pressure in both China and Australasia.

“We are confident of progress but conscious of macro effects beyond our control in 2012,” he added. Following expansion into Asia, Africa and the US, the company now employs over 1250 staff in 19 countries.