RNS Number : 0646O
LBG Media PLC
24 June 2025
 

24 June 2025

 

LBG Media plc

 

("LBG Media", the "Company" or "Group")

 

Half-year results for the six months ended 30 March 2025


Double-digit profit and revenue growth

U.S. momentum and healthy pipeline

 

LBG Media, a social entertainment powerhouse with a focus on young adults, announces half-year results for the six months ended 31 March 2025 ("H1 25" or "the period").  All figures relate to the period, unless otherwise stated.

 

Positive momentum for our growth strategy

 

Strong demand from blue-chip brands for LBG Media's content and reach with young adults.

U.S. delivering significant wins and a healthy pipeline of opportunities.

Direct (content for brands and agencies to reach young adults) revenues up 8%, including 17 clients with more than $1m annual revenues (12 months to March 2024: 7).

Indirect (revenues shared with platforms that place adverts next to LBG Media content) performed strongly, with revenues up 18% against a weak prior year comparator on social platforms.

Unparalleled engagement and reach for our content: global audience up to 520m (FY24: 503m).1

Diversified revenue streams with a broadly even split between Direct and Indirect revenues.

Strengthening the leadership team and culture to support the next phase of LBG Media's growth.

 

Financial Highlights

 

£m

H1 25

H1 24

Growth (%)

Revenue



 

 

 

·      Direct



19.3

17.9

8%

·      Indirect



24.5

20.8

18%

·      Other



0.1

0.1

1%

Total Group Revenue



43.9

38.8

13%

Adjusted EBITDA2



12.2

10.3

18%

Adjusted EBITDA margin2


 

27.8%

26.4%

+1.4 ppts

Profit before tax



8.6

3.3

165%

Cash and cash equivalents



32.9

19.8

66%

 

Total Group revenue up 13%, reflecting momentum with clients.

Adjusted EBITDA up 18%, driven by strong performance in Indirect and lower growth in costs.

Excellent cash performance, with cash conversion of 110%3, supporting a strong balance sheet with net cash of £32.9m (30 September 2024: £27.2m).



Current trading and outlook

Whilst mindful of heightened macroeconomic volatility and the impact of tariff uncertainty on advertising spend and advertising yields since the half year, the Board remains confident of delivering 10% revenue growth at constant currency.

Assuming current currency rates continue, the weakening of the U.S. Dollar against sterling is expected to have approximately a £2m impact on FY25 revenues and a c.£1m impact on EBITDA. The Group has done all it can to mitigate the impact, including substantially hedging our U.S. Dollar cash flow exposure.

LBG Media's diversified model, momentum from wins in the U.S., healthy pipeline and audience engagement underpin confidence of further progress in H2 25.

CEO, Solly Solomou commented:

"LBG Media has positive momentum, with double digit growth in the first half of 2025. This reflects our diversified and agile model, which offers blue-chip brands access to the hard-to-reach 16-34 year old demographic. In the US, we were pleased to secure several clients exceeding $1m and build a healthy pipeline of near-term opportunities.

Our confidence of progress in the second half of the year is underpinned by our audience, the power of LBG Media's brands, our attractiveness to brands and celebrities, and the relevance of our content. Whilst mindful of the macroeconomic environment, we remain confident of delivering 10% revenue growth at constant currency."

 

LBG Media will host a hybrid virtual and in-person analyst briefing at 9.30am UK time, on 24 June 2025. To join the briefing virtually, please use the following webcast link: https://lbgmedia.co.uk/results-reports-presentations/interims-live-webcast

 

A recording of the presentation will also be available on the LBG Media website at www.lbgmedia.co.uk/results-reports-presentations/results-and-presentations following the event.

 

Notes

1  Audience numbers reflect social followers, unique podcast listeners and average monthly website users in the 12 months to 31 March 2025. The percentage growth indicates the change compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.

2  Adjusted EBITDA - earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation adjusted for share-based payments (including employers NIC as appropriate) and adjusting items. Adjusted EBITDA margin is adjusted EBITDA divided by Group Revenue represented as a percentage.

3  Cash conversion is calculated as operating cash flow divided by adjusted EBITDA.

 

 

 

 

For further information please contact:

 

LBG Media plc
Solly Solomou, Co-founder & CEO
Dave Wilson, Executive Chair                                    

 

investors@ladbiblegroup.com

Zeus (Nominated Adviser & Broker)                               
Dan Bate / Nick Cowles (Investment Banking)                
Benjamin Robertson (Equity Capital Markets)

 

 

Tel: +44 (0) 161 831 1512
www.zeuscapital.co.uk

Peel Hunt LLP (Joint Broker)
Neil Patel                                                                     
Benjamin Cryer                                                 
Alice Lane
Kate Bannatyne

 

 

Tel: +44 (0) 207 418 8990

www.peelhunt.com

Media Enquiries
FTI Consulting LLP                                                       

Jamie Ricketts / Kwaku Aning / Jemima Gurney             

 

Tel: +44 (0) 203 727 1000

ladbiblegroup@fticonsulting.com

 

 

Notes to editors

 

We help brands reach young adults on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, X, YouTube and TikTok and our owned and operated websites.

 

We produce and distribute digital content such as videos, editorial, images and audio.

 

We do this through our brands, such as LADbible, UNILAD, Betches and SPORTbible, which are dedicated to distinct popular interests).

 

Engagement is at the heart of what we do - which comes through in our two main revenue streams:

 

a

We create bespoke content for blue-chip advertisers that gives them access to a young adult audience that is hard to reach for traditional media players. This is distributed across social media platforms and our owned and operated websites. We call this 'Direct' revenue.

b

Third parties - such as social media platforms - generate revenue by placing advertising next to our content. We call this 'Indirect' revenue, and the revenue is shared between the publisher, which is us, and the social media platform.

 

LBG Media is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: LBG).



CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REVIEW

LBG Media is a social media powerhouse with a diversified business and a proven model.

1.

Rapid growth in the digital advertising market; and

2.

Rising millennial and 'Gen Z' buying power.

1.

A large, growing market. LBG Media is embedded in the fastest-growing part of the market.  Our addressable market estimated to be $8.25 billion and is forecast to grow at approximately 8.6% from 2025-2027. 

2.

A proven, pureplay digital model.  LBG Media benefits from strong demand from blue-chip brands to reach young adults through engaging content.  LBG Media's portfolio of brands based on distinct interests drive engagement with our audience.

3.

U.S. Opportunity.  LBG Media has momentum with leading blue-chip brands in the U.S., the largest advertising market globally.

4.

Scalable, diversified model.  LBG Media's leadership structure and culture supports the next phase of LBG Media's growth across diversified revenue streams.

5.

Continued Innovation.  The business is using content-driven AI and Generative AI to improve our speed and efficiency.

6.

Acquisition strategy.  Our strong cash generation and balance sheet support selective bolt-on acquisitions where we see a strong strategic fit.  The acquisition of Betches in 2023 is an example of how we make acquisitions that fit with our long-term strategy to build our audience, engagement and appeal to blue-chip brands.

Solly Solomou

Chief Executive Officer



 

FINANCIAL REVIEW

 

Highlights & Key performance indicators ('KPIs')

The Group delivered top-line growth, with revenue increasing by 13% to £43.9m (HY24: £38.8m). This was driven by an expanding global audience and improved digital engagement metrics. Adjusted EBITDA margin improved year-on-year, supported by disciplined cost management and strong operational leverage, as revenue growth outpaced the increase in operating expenses.


H1 25

H1 24

Change

Change


(£m)

(£m)

(£m)

%

Revenue

43.9

38.8

5.1

13%

Adjusted EBITDA

12.2

10.3

1.9

18%

Profit before tax

8.6

3.3

5.3

165%

Closing cash

32.9

19.8

13.1

66%

Cash generated from operations

13.4

9.8

3.6

36%

Cash conversion

110%

96%

-

14 ppts






Financial KPIs





Adjusted EBITDA as a % of revenue

27.8%

26.4%

-

1.4 ppts

Profit before tax as a % of revenue

19.6%

8.4%

-

11.2 ppts






Non-Financial KPIs





Global audience* (m)

520

483

37

8%

Brief conversion

28%

29%

-

(1 ppts)

Daily web sessions (m)

5.0

4.5

0.5

11%

Web yield per 1k sessions (£)

10.34

9.14

1.20

13%

 

* Global Audience reflects social followers, unique podcast listeners and average monthly website users in the 12 months to 31 March 2025.

Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as profit before net finance costs, tax, depreciation, amortisation, asset impairment and release of related liabilities, share based payment charge and adjusting items is a non-GAAP metric used by management and is not an IFRS disclosure.

 

Revenue


H1 25

H1 24

Change

 Revenue

(£m)

(£m)

%

Direct

19.3

17.9

8%

Indirect

24.5

20.8

18%

Other

0.1

0.1

1%

Total Group Revenue

43.9

38.8

13%

 


H1 25

H1 24

Change

Net operating expenses

(£m)

(£m)

%

Content costs

7.6

5.9

29%

Overhead costs

6.9

6.5

7%

Payroll costs

17.2

16.2

6%

Share based payment costs

1.0

1.0

-

Amortisation, depreciation and impairment

2.5

2.8

(11%)

Adjusting items

0.4

2.7

(86%)

Total Group net operating expenses

35.6

35.0

2%

 

Solly Solomou

Chief Executive Officer

 

UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION - LBG MEDIA PLC

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 



Period ended

Period ended



31 March 2025

31 March 2024


£'000

£'000

Note

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

Revenue

3

43,944

38,833

Net operating expenses

4

(35,578)

(35,052)

Operating profit

 

8,366

3,781



 


Analysed as:


 


Adjusted EBITDA1


12,208

10,252

Depreciation


(1,208)

(1,259)

Amortisation

8

(1,241)

(1,171)

Asset impairment and release of related liabilities


-

(313)

Equity settled share-based payments charge

10

(1,048)

(1,035)

Cash settled share-based payments charge

10

25

10

Adjusting items

4

(370)

(2,703)

Group operating profit


8,366

3,781

 


 

 

Finance income

5

241

106

Finance costs

5

(800)

(847)

Net finance costs

 

(559)

(741)

 


 

 

Share of post-tax profits of equity accounted joint venture


 816

219

Profit before taxation

 

8,623

3,259

 


 

 

Income tax expense

6

(2,366)

(1,732)

Profit for the financial year attributable to equity holders of the
company


6,257

1,527

Currency translation differences (net of tax)


(1,242)

(1,369)

Profit and total comprehensive income for the financial year attributable to equity holders of the company

 

5,015

158

 


 

 

Basic earnings per share (pence)

7

3.0

0.7

Diluted earnings per share (pence)

7

2.9

0.7





 







1 Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as profit before net finance costs, tax, depreciation, amortisation, share based payment charge and adjusting items is a non-GAAP metric used by management and is not an IFRS disclosure.

 

All results derive from continuing operations. 

 

 

 

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 



As at 31

As at 31

As at 30


March 2025

 March 2024

September 2024


£'000

£'000

£'000


(unaudited)

(unaudited)

(audited)

Assets


 



Non-current assets

 

 

 


Goodwill and other intangible assets

8

37,100

39,748

37,330

Property, plant and equipment


3,978

5,655

4,947

Investments in equity-accounted joint ventures


2,011

690

1,195

Other receivables


116

195

219

Deferred tax asset


159

-

274

Total non-current assets


43,364

46,288

43,965

Current assets

 

 



Trade and other receivables


24,294

24,730

25,982

Current tax asset


-

2,304

-  

Inventory


21

26

22

Cash and cash equivalents


32,924

19,791

27,174

Total current assets


57,239

46,851

53,178

Total assets


100,603

93,139

97,143

 





Equity

 




Called up share capital


209

209

209

Share premium reserve


28,993

28,993

28,993

Treasury shares


(1,415)

-  

-  

Accumulated exchange differences


(3,857)

(1,383)

(2,615)

Retained earnings


53,877

41,187

46,572

Total equity


77,807

69,006

73,159

 


 



Liabilities

 

 



Non-current liabilities

 

 



Non-current lease liability

9

1,320

1,791

1,757

Provisions


493

451

482

Non-current contingent consideration

11

-

3,110

3,240

Deferred tax liability


424

143

535

Total non-current liabilities


2,237

5,495

6,014

Current liabilities

 

 



Current lease liability

9

1,485

2,816

2,485

Trade and other payables


9,808

8,937

9,460

Contingent consideration

11

7,918

6,885

3,811

Current tax liabilities


1,348

-

2,214

Total current liabilities


20,559

18,638

17,970

Total liabilities

 

22,796

24,133

23,984

Total equity and liabilities


100,603

93,139

97,143

 

 

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 


Share capital

Share premium

Treasury shares

Accumulated exchange differences

Retained earnings

Total Equity

 

£'000 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Balance as at 1 October 2023 (unaudited)

207

28,993

-

(14)

38,642

67,828

Profit for the financial period

-

-

-

-

1,527

1,527

Currency translation differences (net of tax)

-

-

-

(1,369)

-

(1,369)

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

-

(1,369)

1,527

158

Issue of shares in the period

2

-

-

-

-

2

Share based payments

-

-

-

-

1,035

1,035

Deferred tax on share options

-

-

-

-

(17)

(17)

Total transactions with owners, recognised directly in equity

2

-

-

-

1,018

1,020

As at 31 March 2024 (unaudited)

209

28,993

-

(1,383)

41,187

69,006

Profit for the financial period

-

-

-

-

5,078

5,078

Currency translation differences (net of tax)

-

-

-

(1,232)

-

(1,232)

Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the period

-

-

-

(1,232)

5,078

3,846

Share based payments

-

-

-

-

261

261

Deferred tax on share options and intangibles

-

-

-

-

46

46

Total transactions with owners, recognised directly in equity

-

-

-

-

307

307

As at 30 September 2024 and 1 October 2024 (audited) 

209

28,993

-

(2,615)

46,572

73,159

Profit for the financial period

-

-

-

-

6,257

6,257

Currency translation differences (net of tax)

-

-

-

(1,242)

-

(1,242)

Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the period

-

-

-

(1,242)

6,257

5,015

Purchase of own shares

-

(2,863)

-

-

(2,863)

Transfers to employees

-

-

1,448

-

-

1,448

Share based payments

-

-

-

-

1,048

1,048

Total transactions with owners, recognised directly in equity

-

-

(1,415)

-

1,048

(367)

Balance as at 31 March 2025 (unaudited)

209

28,993

(1,415)

(3,857)

53,877

77,807

 

 


 

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 


Period ended 31 March 2025

Period ended 31 March 2024

Period ended 30 September 2024

£'000

£'000

£'000

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

(audited)

Net cash flow from operating activities

 

 


Profit for the financial period/year

6,257

1,527

8,954

Income tax

2,366

1,732

3,185

Net interest expense

559

741

928

Share of post-tax profits of equity accounted joint venture

(816)

(219)

(505)

Operating profit

8,366

3,781

12,562

 

 

 


Depreciation charge

1,208

1,259

1,814

Amortisation of intangible assets

1,241

1,171

1,820

Asset impairment and release of related liabilities

-

313

-

Equity settled share-based payments

1,048

1,035

566

Cash settled share-based payment

(25)

(10)

167

Settlement of cash settled share options

-

-

(305)

Provisions

-

(168)

(13)

Decrease in trade and other receivables

1,767

3,463

2,737

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables

(237)

(1,033)

916

Cash generated from operations

13,368

9,811

20,264

Tax paid

(3,290)

(1,375)

(2,638)

Net cash generated from operating activities

10,078

8,436

17,626

 

 

 


Cash flows from investing activities

 

 


Purchase of intangible assets

(107)

(413)

(563)

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(197)

(244)

(466)

Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired

-

(17,580)

-

Payment of contingent consideration

-

-

(3,120)

Net cash used in investing activities

(304)

(18,237)

(4,149)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 


Purchase of own shares

(2,863)

(2)

-

Lease payments

(1,466)

(1,064)

(1,621)

Lease deposits paid

(49)

-

(50)

Lease deposits received

106

-

25

Proceeds from share issue

-

-

2

Interest received

195

104

-

Interest paid

(104)

(145)

(182)

Net cash used in financing activities

(4,181)

(1,107)

(1,826)

Net increase/ (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

5,593

(10,908)

11,561

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

27,174

30,727

15,800

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

157

(28)

(277)

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

32,924

19,791

27,174

 

 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

1. General Information

The principal activity of LBG Media plc ('the Company') is that of a holding company and the principal activity of the Company and its subsidiaries ('the Group') is that of an online media publisher. The Company was incorporated on 20 October 2021 and is a public company limited by shares registered in England & Wales. The registered office of the Company is 20 Dale Street, Manchester, M1 1EZ. The Company registration number is 13693251. The Company is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

 

A copy of the audited annual statutory accounts for the Group and the Half Yearly report can be found on the company's website: https://lbgmedia.co.uk.

 

2. Basis of preparation

The interim financial information of the Group for the six months ended 31 March 2025, which is unaudited, has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement principles of International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') and the accounting policies adopted by the Group and set out in the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period ended 30 September 2024. The Directors do not anticipate any changes in these accounting policies for the year ended 30 September 2025.

 

The unaudited interim financial information has been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention. The unaudited interim financial information is presented in pounds sterling and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (£'000), except where otherwise indicated. The interim financial information, including for the year ended 30 September 2024, does not constitute statutory accounts for the purposes of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The statutory accounts for the year ended 30 September 2024 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and the auditor's report on those accounts was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis, and did not contain a statement under 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

This unaudited interim financial information has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the AIM Rules for Companies and in accordance with this basis of preparation.

 

3. Revenue                  

The trading operations of the Group are in the online media publishing industry and are all continuing.

 

Analysis of revenue                 

The Group's revenue and operating profit relate entirely to its principal activity.

                       

The analysis of revenue by stream is:


6 months to 31 March 2025

6 months to 31 March 2024


 £'000

 £'000


 (unaudited)

 (unaudited)

Direct

19,300

17,870

Indirect

24,450

20,771

Other

194

192


43,944

38,833

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

 

4. Net operating expenses

 


6 months to 31 March 2025

6 months to 31 March 2024


 £'000

 £'000


 (unaudited)

 (unaudited)

Employee benefit expense

18,242

17,209

Amortisation

1,241

1,171

Depreciation

1,208

1,259

Asset impairment and release of related liabilities

313

Auditor's remuneration

182

158

Legal and professional

1,424

1,093

Media costs

2,943

2,715

Production costs

4,654

3,191

Travel and expenses

1,081

706

Establishment costs

4,081

3,761

Foreign currency gain

(366)

(15)

Adjusting items

370

2,703

Other expenses

518

788

Total net operating expenses 

35,578

35,052

 

A breakdown of adjusting items has been provided below:

 


6 months to 31 March 2025

6 months to 31 March 2024


 £'000

 £'000


 (unaudited)

 (unaudited)

Costs associated with business reorganisations

 370  

1,629

Acquisition related fees

1,141

Tax credits

-  

(67)

Total adjusting items

370  

2,703

 

 

 

5. Net finance costs

 


6 months to 31 March 2025

6 months to 31 March 2024


 £'000

 £'000


 (unaudited)

 (unaudited)

Unwinding of discount on provisions

(12)

-

Unwinding of discount on contingent consideration liability

(610)

(691)

On lease liabilities

(104)

(145)

Finance costs

(726)

(836)

 

 

 

Unwinding of discounts on deposits

6

1

Bank interest received

161

94

Finance income

167

95

Net finance costs

(559)

(741)

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

 

6. Income tax expense

 

Tax expense included in consolidated statement of comprehensive income:

 


6 months to 31 March 2025

6 months to 31 March 2024


 £'000

 £'000


 (unaudited)

 (unaudited)

Current year tax:

 

 

Current taxation charge for the period

2,343

1,653

Total current tax

2,343

1,653

Deferred tax:

 

 

Current period

23

79

Total deferred tax

23

79


 


Total tax on profit on ordinary activities

2,366

1,732

Equity items



Current tax

-

-

Deferred tax

-

17

Total tax recognised in equity

-

17

 

 

Reconciliation of tax charge

The tax assessed for the year is higher (HY24: higher) than at the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The differences are explained below:

 


6 months to 31 March 2025

6 months to 31 March 2024


 £'000

 £'000


 (unaudited)

(unaudited)

Profit before taxation

8,623

3,259

Tax on profit multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax in the UK at 25% (HY24: 23.5%)

2,156

766

Effects of:

 

 

Expenses not deductible

38

28

Non-taxable income

(205)

(52)

Effects of overseas tax rates

176

(50)

Amounts not recognised

67

583

Share valuation

134

457

Total taxation charge

2,366

1,732

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

 

7. Earnings per share

 

There is no difference between profit as disclosed within the statement of comprehensive income and earnings used within the earnings per share calculation for the reporting periods.

 

Basic earnings per share calculation:


6 months to 31 March 2025

6 months to 31 March 2024

Period ended 30 September 2024


 (unaudited)

(unaudited)

(audited)

Earnings per share from continuing operations




Earnings, £'000

6,257

1,527

8,954

Number of shares, number (m)

209.1

207.9

209.1

Earnings per share, pence

3.0

0.7

4.3

 

Diluted earnings per share calculation:


6 months to 31 March 2025

6 months to 31 March 2024

Period ended 30 September 2024


 (unaudited)

(unaudited)

(audited)

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations




Earnings, £'000

6,257

1,527

8,954

Number of shares, number

214.1

218.1

217.7

Diluted earnings per share, pence

2.9

0.7

4.1

 

 

Reconciliation from weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share to diluted earnings per share:

 


6 months to 31 March 2025

6 months to 31 March 2024

Period ended 30 September 2024


(m)

(m)

(m)


 (unaudited)

(unaudited)

(audited)

Number of shares in issue at the start of the period

209.1

206.2

206.5

Effect of shares issued in period

-

1.7

2.6

Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share

209.1

207.9

209.1

Employee share options

5.0

10.2

8.6

Weighted average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share

214.1

218.1

217.7

 

 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

 

8. Goodwill and other intangible assets

 


Trade-marks & licenses

Software

Relation-ships

Brand

Content library

Goodwill

Social media pages

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Cost









At 1 October 2023

28

1,522

1,300

4,685

300

10,094

1,594

19,523

Additions

-

185

-

-

-

-

359

544

Acquired through business

combinations

-

-

3,743

6,556

-

14,773

-

25,072

Exchange adjustments

-

-

(24)

(44)

-

(91)

(20)

(179)

At 31 March 2024

28

1,707

5,019

11,197

300

24,776

1,933

44,960

Additions

-

211

-

-

-

-

-

211

Disposals

-

(404)

-

-

-

-

-

(404)

Exchange adjustments

-

-

(215)

(379)

-

(849)

(30)

(1,473)

At 30 September 2024

28

1,514

4,804

10,818

300

23,927

1,903

43,294

Additions

-

107

-

-

-

-

-

107

Exchange adjustments

-

-

132

224

-

523

31

910

At 31 March 2025

28

1,621

4,936

11,042

300

24,450

1,934

44,311

Accumulated Amortisation







 

At 1 October 2023

28

525

646

2,328

300

-

220

4,047

Charge for the year

-

184

278

542

-

-

169

1,173

Exchange adjustments

-

-

(1)

(3)

-

-

(4)

(8)

At 31 March 2024

28

709

923

2,867

300

-

385

5,212

Charge for the year

-

157

295

586

-

-

174

1,212

Elimination on disposal

-

(404)

-

-

-

-

-

(404)

Exchange adjustments

-

-

(22)

(32)

-

-

(2)

(56)

At 30 September 2024

28

462

1,196

3,421

300

-

557

5,964

Charge for the year

-

150

303

580

-

-

208

1,241

Exchange adjustments

-

-

4

2

-

-

-

6

At 31 March 2025

28

612

1,503

4,003

300

-

765

7,211

 









Net book value









At 31 March 2024

-

998

4,096

8,330

-

24,776

1,548

39,748

At 30 September 2024

-

1,052

3,608

7,397

-

23,927

1,346

37,330

At 31 March 2025

-

1,009

3,433

7,039

-

24,450

1,169

37,100


















 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

 

9. Borrowings

 


6 months to 31 March 2025

6 months to 31 March 2024

Period ended 30 September 2024


£'000

£'000

£'000


 (unaudited)

(unaudited)

(audited)

Current

 



Lease liabilities

1,485

2,816

2,485


1,485

2,816

2,485

Non-current

 



Lease liabilities

1,320

1,791

1,757


1,320

1,791

1,757

Total borrowings

2,805

4,607

4,242






6 months to 31 March 2025

6 months to 31 March 2024

Period ended 30 September 2024


£'000

£'000

£'000


 (unaudited)

(unaudited)

(audited)

Amount repayable

 



Within one year

1,485

2,816

2,485

In more than one year but less than two years 

742

629

810

In more than two years but less than three years 

420

594

637

In more than three years but less than four years 

158

409

310

In more than four years but less than five years 

-

159

-


2,805

4,607

4,242

 

 

During the period to 31 March 2025, £1,466k (HY24: £1,064k) was paid by the Group in relation to lease payments and £104k (HY24: £145k) of interest paid in relation to leases.

 

 

10. Share based payments

 

The Group operates a number of Share Option Schemes under which Executive Directors, Non-Executive Directors, managers and team members of the Group are granted options over shares. The Group did not enter into any share based payment transactions with other parties other than employees during the current or prior period.

 

The charge recognised from equity-settled share-based payments in respect of employee services received during the year is £1,048k (HY24: £1,035k).

 

The credit recognised from cash-settled share-based payments in respect of employee services received during the year is £25k (HY24: £10k).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

 

11. Contingent consideration

 


6 months to 31 March 2025

6 months to 31 March 2024

Period ended 30 September 2024


£'000

£'000

£'000


 (unaudited)

(unaudited)

(audited)

At beginning of the period

7,051

-

9,539

Recognition on the acquisition of subsidiary undertakings

-

9,634

-

Unwinding of discount1

610

691

1,014

Settlement of consideration

-

-

(3,120)

Effect of exchange rates on the settlement of consideration

-

-

(13)

Exchange adjustment

257

(330)

(369)

At period end

7,918

9,995

7,051

 

 



Analysed as:

 



Amounts falling due within 12 months

7,918

6,885

3,811

Amounts falling due after one year

-

3,110

3,240

At period end

7,918

9,995

7,051

 

1 The discount rate used for the unwinding of the contingent consideration is 17.6%.

 

The contingent consideration is in respect of the acquisition of Betches Media, LLC on 17 October 2023. Refer to the 2024 annual report for further details. Since the contingent consideration is payable in stages, it was discounted to fair value on the acquisition date and subsequently unwound to profit and loss.

 

Contingent consideration of $4m for the first tranche of Earnout 1 was paid within July 2024 as a result of the 2023 performance target being achieved.

 

12. Related party transactions

 

The following transactions were carried out with related parties:


6 months to 31 March 2025

6 months to 31 March 2024

Period ended 30 September 2024


£'000

£'000

£'000


 (unaudited)

(unaudited)

(audited)

Entity controlled by key management personnel

 



Purchase of services (1)

240

268

364

Transactions with Pubity Group Ltd (2)

(130)

16

(163)


110

284

201

 

(1)  Services are purchased from Kamani Commercial Property Ltd (an entity controlled by a significant shareholder) on normal commercial terms and conditions. Kamani Commercial Property Ltd is a firm belonging to Mahmud Abdullah Kamani, a former Director of the Group. The Group leases the Manchester Dale Street properties from Kamani Commercial Property Ltd. The 'purchase of services' in the table above relates to the payments made in the year for the Dale Street properties for both rent and service charges. Payments made to 31 March 2025 totalled £240k (30 September 2024: £364k, 31 March 2024: £268k). The amount outstanding of the lease liability as at 31 March 2025 is £995k (30 September 2024: £1,199k, 31 March 2024: £1,237k). The outstanding service charge balance at 31 March 2025 is £17k (30 September 2024: £17k, 31 March 2024: £nil) and outstanding property insurance is £nil (30 September 2024: £nil, 31 March 2024: £nil).

 

(2)  During the period, the Group incurred transactions totalling £130k (30 September 2024: £163k, 31 March 2024: £16k) with Pubity Group Ltd, a joint venture of LBG Media plc. These transactions were conducted on normal commercial terms. As at 31 March 2025, £49k was due from Pubity Group Ltd (30 September 2024: £51k, 31 March 2024: £nil).

 

ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES (APMs) and GLOSSARY OF TERMS

 

Introduction

 

In the reporting of financial information, the Directors have adopted various Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) of financial performance, position or cash flows other than those defined or specified under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). These measures are not defined by IFRS and therefore may not be directly comparable with other companies' APMs, including those in the Group's industry. APMs should be considered in addition to IFRS measures and are not intended to be a substitute for IFRS measurements.

 

Purpose

 

The Directors believe that these APMs provide additional useful information on the underlying performance and position of LBG Media plc. APMs are also used to enhance the comparability of information between reporting periods by adjusting for non-recurring or uncontrollable factors which affect IFRS measures, to aid the user in understanding LBG Media plc's performance. Consequently, APMs are used by the Directors and management for performance analysis, planning, reporting and incentive-setting purposes and have remained consistent with prior year.

 

The key APMs that the Group has focused on this period are as follows:

 

 Adjusted EBITDA

This profit measure shows the Group's Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation adjusted for asset gains and losses, share based payments (including employers NIC as appropriate) and adjusting items.

 

Adjusted EBITDA is used for internal performance analysis to assess the execution of our strategies. Management believe that this adjusted measure is an appropriate metric to understand the underlying performance of the Group.

 

A glossary of other terms used in the interim financial information can be found below:

 

Web sessions

Web sessions are unique interactions with our website in the six months to the end of March 2025.

Global audience

Includes global social media platform followers, unique podcast listeners and global monthly online users to LBG Media websites.

Repeat client revenue

Repeat client revenue represents percentage of H1 25 Direct revenue from clients that ran campaigns with us in 2023 and 2024.

AIM

The Alternative Investment Market (AIM) is a sub-market of the London Stock Exchange.

Bookings

Bookings represents year-on-year movement in future value of contracts won.

Multi-channel

Refers to the Group's portfolio of brands.

Reach

Reach is the total number of people who viewed our content within a particular time period.

Engagements

The measurement of a like, share or comment on social media platforms.

Web yield

Daily web sessions reflect unique individual interactions with our website. Yield per session is per 1,000 sessions.

Cash conversion

Cash conversion is calculated as operating cash flow divided by adjusted EBITDA.

ANZ

Refers to the Group's operations in Australia and New Zealand.

 


 

 

 

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