2023 Annual Results Highlight (For the year ended 31 December 2023)
- Revenue increased 39.2% year-over-year ("YoY") to a record-high of approximately ("approx.") RMB967.2 million;
- Gross profit increased 47.5% YoY to approx. RMB298.2 million; gross profit margin increased 1.7 percentage points to 30.8%;
- Net profit surged 319.9% YoY to approx. RMB118.4 million, whereas profit attributable to owners of the parent surged 357.6% to approx. 108.0 million, both reaching record-high
- Earnings per share increased by 361.1% YoY to RMB14.80 cents;
- Proposed final dividend and special of HK6.16 cent and HK4.42 cents per share respectively, together with interim dividend of HK2.0 cents, would give a total dividend of HK12.58 cents per share for FY2023.
HONG KONG, March 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Activation Group Holdings Limited ("Activation Group" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group", stock code: 9919.HK), a leading marketing group for pan-fashion brands in Greater China, today announced its annual results for the year ended 31 December 2023 ("FY2023" or "Year").
Activation Group is a marketing group for pan-fashion brands in Greater China. According to the research report by China Insights Industry Consultancy Limited, the Group continues to be the largest experiential marketing service provider for premium and luxury brands in Greater China, ranked number one with a market share of 12.7% in 2023. The Group has served over 550 world-renowned branded clients, including renowned premium fashion brands such as CARTIER, CHANEL, DIOR, LOUIS VUITTON and GUCCI, for which it holds long-term partnerships, along with other mid-range and high-end automobile brands and Chinese local premium brands.
During the Year, due to the increasing importance of the Chinese luxury market as well as the post-pandemic rebound, there was a rising demand for the Group's one-stop marketing services. As a result, the Group recorded a revenue of approx. RMB967.2 million (FY2022: approx. RMB694.8 million), representing an increase of 39.2% YoY. Benefitting from the increase in revenue and improving cost control, gross profit increased 47.5% YoY to approx. RMB298.2 million (FY2022: approx. RMB202.2 million), with gross profit margin increased by 1.7 percentage points to 30.8% (FY2022: 29.1%). Compounded by the stringent control on indirect costs, the Group reported a net profit of approx. RMB118.4 million for the Year, representing a 319.9% YoY growth as compared with approx. RMB28.2 million last year.
With the substantial improvement in profitability, the Group also paid an increasing emphasis on shareholders' return. The Board recommends the payment of a final dividend of HK6.16 cents per ordinary share, along with a final special dividend HK4.42 cents per ordinary share. The proposed payout, together with the interim dividend of HK2.00 cents per ordinary share, would bring the total dividend for the Year to HK12.58 cents per ordinary share.
Business Review
Reaffirmed Market Leading Position with Increasing Market Share
In 2023, China's stabilizing economy and the expansion of the consumer service industry have yielded considerable growth opportunities for the local marketing sector. Riding on its established market presence and excellent execution capability, the Group was able to capture the increase in demand. According to the research report by China Insights Industry Consultancy Limited, the Group retained its position as the largest experiential marketing service provider for mid-range and high-end fashion brands in Greater China in 2023, with its market share increasing from 6.3% in 2019 to 12.7% in 2023.
Geographical Extension to Open Further Market Opportunities
During the Year, the Group organized LOUIS VUITTON "Mens Pre-Fall 2024 Fashion Show" at the Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong and "Women's Pre-Fall 2023 Show" at the Jamsugyo Bridge in South Korea, marking the Group's first step in the South Korean market. The success of the event once again highlights the Group's expertise in integrated marketing services, with growing recognition among major brand names.
The Group's experiential marketing focuses on planning content-rich and sensory-rich activities for brands, with the aim of allowing consumers to subconsciously gain an in-depth understanding of the brand's history and culture, fostering a lasting emotional bond between consumers and the brand. Specifically, the Group held a number of events during the Year, including ARC'TERYX "Upwards Beauty" themed show, BOTTEGA VENETA Fall/Winter 2023-2024 Beijing Fashion Show, CARTIER "Cartier and Women" special exhibition, CINDY CHAO "The Art Jewel" Exhibition, COMME MOI "Fall/Winter 2023 Show", DIOR "Autumn 2023 Collection Preview", GUCCI "Gucci Cosmos" archive exhibition, LORO PIANA "Summer Resort 2023 Collection" pop-up store, LOUIS VUITTON "Women's Pre-Fall 2023 Show" in Korea and "Mens Pre-Fall 2024 Fashion Show" in Hong Kong, MERCEDES-BENZ "All-new EQE pure electric SUV launch in China" festival, OPPO "Find X6 Series Launch Event", SWAROVSKI "Masters of Light" Exhibition, and more. The success of these events has once again proved the Group's expertise in experiential marketing services.
One-stop Marketing Services to Drive Business Sustainability
To boost client stickiness and financial performance, the Group strived to leverage its industry know-how to offer one-stop marketing services to its customers. In addition to customized, large-scale offline events, the Group also offered additional value-added services to its customers, including promotional services on social media platforms such as Weibo, WeChat, Douyin, Xiaohongshu, Facebook, Instagram, etc. alongside live streaming and interactive discussions, successfully captured the attention of hundreds of millions of viewers online.
The bundled solution, not only allows customers to raise their brand profile and expand their reach in the Greater China market, but also, allows the Group to attract new customers, or upsell its existing customers with its comprehensive services. During the Year, some brands that first started with the Group's digital and communication services have also expanded their scope to involve experiential marketing services, leading to solidified relationships with such very important customers (VIC). In the future, the Group will strive to further capture such opportunities, bringing additional financial contributions to the Group, and strengthening its relationships with customers, laying a solid foundation of future performances.
IP Development Business to Bring Further Growth Impetus
The Group also owns long-term exclusive operating rights for a number of IPs, including Shanghai Design Week, D UNIVERSE, West Bund Orbit, Le Tour de France and LaLiga Club. By leveraging the Group's in-depth marketing knowledge and excellent local support, the Group was able to nurture the aforesaid IPs, and to help them generating sustainable values that would go beyond marketing. In particular, the Shanghai Design Week IP successfully held multiple events in China and overseas, including the "18th International Architecture Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia Pavilion of the P.R. China", "2023 Made in Shanghai Expo", "Shanghai Design Week – Design Express à Shanghai", and "2023 World Design Cities Conference (WDCC)". Meanwhile, West Bund Orbit officially commenced operation in November 2023, with a number of activities already being held despite its rather short tenure. Throughout 2023, the Group also proactively planned for the Le Tour de France cycling event, and a number of cycling matches are expected to launch in major tourist cities in the coming years.
Outlook
According to the latest report from Bain & Company, the Chinese market continues to solidify its position as the preferred destination for global luxury consumption, and holds strategic importance for luxury brands worldwide. The report indicates that by 2030, China is poised to become the leading luxury market globally, with Chinese consumers potentially capturing a global market share of 35–40%, and the Chinese market contributions would increase to 24–26%, outpacing the US and Western Europe markets. Such development should attract major luxury brands to increase their marketing efforts in the Greater China region, opening further opportunities to the Group's one-stop marketing services.
Mr. Lau Kam Yiu, Joint-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Activation Group, said, "Looking ahead, we will strive to maintain our leading position in luxury experiential marketing. Through our enhanced one-stop marketing services, we intend to acquire more new clients and further boost our market shares. Particular focus will be given to the spirits and beauty products sectors, which have huge potential but only account for 5.3% of the Group's revenue. The move should allow us to open up new revenue streams, diversify our current portfolio, and further fast-track our financial growth. In addition to sub-sector participations, we also retain the utmost confidence that our operational model can be replicated to other regions, considering our success in other countries in the APAC region. Our IP Development business should also have a bright prospect with growing financial contributions, supported by the strong IP of Shanghai Design Week, "West Bund Orbit" and Le Tour de France. All in all, the above initiatives should all gear us towards a brighter near future.
Last but not least, we prioritize shareholders' returns by declaring a final dividend and a final special dividend. Once approved at the 2024 AGM, together with the interim dividend declared, FY2023 total dividend would reach approx. HK$93.69 million. We will continue to maintain our stable dividend payout policy, delivering sustainable values to shareholders."
About Activation Group Holdings Limited
Activation Group Holdings Limited (9919.HK) is a leading marketing Group for pan-fashion brands in Greater China, focusing on providing i) experiential marketing services, ii) digital and communication services, and iii) IP development in Greater China region. The Group served more than 550 world-renowned branded clients, including (i) renowned premium fashion brand, (ii) renowned premium automobile brand and (iii) local Chinese brand. Headquartered in Shanghai, the Group was listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 16 January 2020. According to the information from China Insights Industry Consultancy Limited, the Group continues to be the largest experiential marketing service provider for premium brands in Greater China in 2023, ranked number one with a market share of 12.7%.
2023 年度業績摘要(截至 2023 年 12 月 31 日止年度)
收入同比增長 39.2%,達到約人民幣 9.672 億元,創歷史新高;
毛利潤同比增長 47.5%,達到約人民幣 2.982 億元;毛利率增長 1.7 個百分點,達到 30.8%;
淨利潤同比增長 319.9%,達到約人民幣 1.184 億元;歸屬於母公司所有者的利潤同比增長 357.6%,達到約人民幣 1.08 億元,均創歷史新高
每股盈利同比增長 361.1%,達到人民幣 14.80 分;
建議派發末期股息每股 6.16 港仙及特別股息每股 4.42 港仙,連同中期股息 2.0 港仙,2023 財年總股息爲每股 12.58 港仙。
香港 2024 年 3 月 12日電 /美通社/ -- 艾德韋宣集團(以下簡稱 "艾德韋宣 "或 "公司",連同其附屬公司統稱 "集團",股票代碼:9919.HK),是全球領先的移動互聯網公司: 9919.HK)今日公佈截至 2023 年 12 月 31 日止年度("2023 財年 "或 "年度")的全年業績。
Activation Group是大中華區泛時尚品牌的營銷集團。根據中國洞察產業諮詢有限公司的研究報告,該集團仍然是大中華區最大的高端和奢侈品牌體驗式營銷服務提供商,2023年以 12.7% 的市場份額排名第一。該集團已爲超過550個世界知名品牌客戶提供服務,包括卡地亞、香奈兒、迪奧、路易威登和古馳等知名高端時尚品牌,並與之建立長期合作伙伴關係,以及其他中高端汽車品牌和中國本土高端品牌。
年內,由於中國奢侈品市場的重要性日益增加以及疫情後的反彈,對集團一站式營銷服務的需求不斷增加。因此,該集團的收入約爲人民幣9.672億元(FY2022:約人民幣6.948億元),同比增長39.2%。受益於收入的增加和成本控制的改善,毛利同比增長47.5%,至約人民幣2.982億元(FY2022:約合人民幣2.022億元),毛利率增長1.7個百分點至30.8%(FY2022:29.1%)。再加上對間接成本的嚴格控制,集團報告本年度淨利潤約爲人民幣1.184億元,與去年約人民幣2,820萬元相比,同比增長319.9%。
隨着盈利能力的顯著提高,集團也越來越重視股東的回報。董事會建議派發每股普通股6.16港元的末期股息,以及每股普通股4.42港元的末期特別股息。擬議的派息加上每股普通股2.00港元的中期股息,將使該年度的總股息達到每股普通股12.58港仙。
商業評論
隨着市場份額的增加,重申了市場領先地位
2023年,中國穩定的經濟和消費服務業的擴張爲當地營銷部門帶來了可觀的增長機會。憑藉其穩定的市場佔有率和卓越的執行能力,該集團得以捕捉不斷增長的需求。根據中國洞察產業諮詢有限公司的研究報告,該集團在2023年保持了其作爲大中華區最大的中高端時尚品牌體驗式營銷服務提供商的地位,其市場份額從2019年的6.3%增加到2023年的12.7%。
地域擴張將開闢更多市場機會
年內,集團在香港星光大道舉辦了路易威登 “2024年秋前男士時裝秀” 和在韓國蠶水橋舉辦了 “2023年秋前女裝秀”,標誌着集團在韓國市場邁出了第一步。該活動的成功再次凸顯了集團在整合營銷服務方面的專業知識,各大品牌的認可度不斷提高。
集團的體驗式營銷側重於爲品牌策劃內容豐富和感官豐富的活動,目的是讓消費者在潛意識裏深入了解品牌的歷史和文化,促進消費者與品牌之間持久的情感紐帶。具體而言,集團在年內舉辦了多項活動,包括ARC'TERYX “Upwards Beauty” 主題秀、BOTTEGA VENETA 2023-2024 秋冬北京時裝秀、卡地亞 “卡地亞與女性” 特別展、CINDY CHAO “藝術珠寶” 展覽、COMME MOI “2023 秋冬系列預覽”、GUCCI “Gucci Cosmos” 展覽檔案、LORO PIANA “2023 夏日度假系列” 快閃店、韓國路易威登 “2023 年秋前女裝秀” 和香港的 “2024 年秋前男士時裝秀”、梅賽德斯-奔馳 “全新 EQE pure”電動SUV中國發佈會”、OPPO “Find X6系列發佈會”、施華洛世奇 “光之大師” 展覽等。這些活動的成功再次證明了集團在體驗式營銷服務方面的專業知識。
一站式營銷服務推動業務可持續發展
爲了提高客戶粘性和財務業績,集團努力利用其行業知識爲客戶提供一站式營銷服務。除了定製的大型線下活動外,集團還爲其客戶提供額外的增值服務,包括微博、微信、抖音、小紅書、Facebook、Instagram等社交媒體平台的宣傳服務,以及直播和互動討論,成功吸引了數億在線觀衆的注意力。
捆綁解決方案不僅使客戶能夠提高其品牌知名度並擴大其在大中華市場的影響力,而且還使集團能夠吸引新客戶或通過其全面的服務向現有客戶追加銷售。在這一年中,一些最初以集團的數字和通信服務爲起點的品牌也擴大了服務範圍,涉及體驗式營銷服務,從而鞏固了與這些非常重要的客戶(VIC)的關係。未來,集團將努力進一步抓住這些機會,爲集團帶來額外的財務捐款,加強與客戶的關係,爲未來的業績打下堅實的基礎。
知識產權開發業務將帶來進一步的增長動力
集團還擁有多個知識產權的長期獨家運營權,包括上海設計周、D UNIVERSE、西岸軌道、環法自行車賽和LaLiga Club。通過利用集團深厚的營銷知識和出色的本地支持,集團得以培育上述知識產權,並幫助他們創造超出營銷範圍的可持續價值。特別是,上海設計周IP在中國和海外成功舉辦了多項活動,包括 “第十八屆中國國際建築展威尼斯雙年展館”、“2023年上海製造世博會”、“上海設計周——上海設計快車” 和 “2023年世界設計城市大會(WDCC)”。同時,西岸軌道於2023年11月正式開始運營,儘管任期相當短,但已經舉行了許多活動。在整個2023年,該集團還積極規劃環法自行車賽事,預計未來幾年將在主要旅遊城市啓動多場自行車比賽。
外表
根據貝恩公司的最新報告,中國市場繼續鞏固其作爲全球奢侈品消費首選目的地的地位,對全球奢侈品牌具有戰略重要性。該報告指出,到2030年,中國有望成爲全球領先的奢侈品市場,中國消費者可能佔據35-40%的全球市場份額,中國市場的貢獻將增加到24-26%,超過美國和西歐市場。這種發展應吸引主要奢侈品牌加強在大中華地區的營銷力度,爲集團的一站式營銷服務開闢更多機會。
活化集團聯席主席兼首席執行官劉錦耀先生,他說:“展望未來,我們將努力保持我們在奢侈品體驗營銷中的領先地位。通過我們增強的一站式營銷服務,我們打算吸引更多新客戶並進一步提高我們的市場份額。將特別關注烈酒和美容產品行業,這些行業潛力巨大,但僅佔集團收入的5.3%。此舉應使我們能夠開闢新的收入來源,分散我們目前的投資組合,並進一步加快我們的財務增長。除了子行業的參與外,考慮到我們在亞太地區其他國家取得的成功,我們也對我們的運營模式可以複製到其他地區充滿信心。在上海設計周、“西岸軌道” 和環法自行車賽等強大知識產權的支持下,我們的知識產權開發業務也應該前景光明,財政捐款不斷增加。總而言之,上述舉措都將使我們走向更美好的不久的將來。
最後但並非最不重要的一點是,我們通過宣佈末期股息和末期特別股息來優先考慮股東的回報。一旦在2024年股東周年大會上獲得批准,加上宣佈的中期股息,FY2023 的總股息將達到約9,369萬港元。我們將繼續維持穩定的股息支付政策,爲股東創造可持續的價值。”
關於激活集團控股有限公司
Activation Group Holdings Limited(9919.HK)是大中華區泛時尚品牌的領先營銷集團,專注於提供i)體驗式營銷服務,ii)數字和通信服務,以及iii)大中華地區的知識產權開發。集團爲超過550個世界知名品牌客戶提供服務,包括(i)知名的高端時尚品牌,(ii)知名的高端汽車品牌和(iii)中國本土品牌。集團總部位於上海,於2020年1月16日在香港聯合交易所主板上市。根據中國洞察行業諮詢有限公司的信息,該集團在2023年繼續成爲大中華區最大的高端品牌體驗式營銷服務提供商,市場份額爲12.7%,排名第一。