M&C Saatchi confirms it is to seek July stock market float

LONDON – Despite doubts that it would go ahead, M&C Saatchi this afternoon confirmed that it will seek a stock market listing on the Alternative Investment Market in mid July.

The agency has appointed Lehman Brothers as its sole adviser for the flotation, which will see it offer new and existing shares to institutional investors in the UK and internationally, as well as to qualifying employees and clients.

At the weekend, there were reports that suggested a summer flotation of the agency, which was looking to raise £10m to fund expansion plans, was in trouble with concerns about whether there is enough investor interest.

M&C Saatchi, which already has offices in 11 countries, will use the cash to fund a three-pronged growth strategy that will: see it expand into continental Europe, where it currently has no presence, with offices in France, Germany, Spain and Italy; expand in a select number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region; and strengthen its existing presence in the US.

David Kershaw, chief executive officer of M&C Saatchi, said: "We have built a highly successful business and the capital raised in the flotation will enable us to roll out our successful model in key European markets.

"Our business is founded upon outstanding creativity. The expansion across Europe will enable us to extend our international footprint and attract more global clients," he said.

Last week, the agency, co-founded by Lord Maurice Saatchi, hired former McCann Erickson and WCRS finance chief Jamie Hewitt as part of preparations for its upcoming flotation.

M&C Saatchi said when it announced the flotation that it was looking to use the cash raised to establish start-up operations, while allowing the founding partners to realise some of the agency's value, which is estimated at £75m.

At the same time, the company announced that Lloyd Dorfman and Adrian Martin are to join the agency's board of directors. Dorfman is currently chairman and chief executive of Travelex Holdings and Martin is currently chief executive of Reynolds Porter Chamberlain Solicitors.

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