Admission to AIM
24 November 2003 - 6:00PM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:3819S
Network Limited
24 November 2003
Network Limited
24 November 2003
Australian outdoor advertising company Network Limited to list on AIM
Network Limited ("Network", "the company"), the Australian outdoor advertising
specialist, will today admit its shares to trading in London on the Alternative
Investment Market (AIM).
Network's shares are already traded on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX Code:
NWK), and Network is the latest in a growing number of smaller companies from
Australia to adopt a dual listing on AIM. Grant Thornton's Capital Markets Team
acted as the Nominated Adviser to Network.
Network CEO Brendon Cook said: "We feel this is the right time in the growth of
the company to list on AIM. This will broaden our shareholder base and provide
access to capital to continue our acquisition programme".
Network is a leading broker of outdoor advertising sites in Australia, focussing
on billboards and mobile media such as taxi-back signs.
Network acts as broker to approximately 40 owners of billboard and other sites,
and has itself expanded into site ownership with the recent acquisition of the
Russell Ads, Bridlewood and Buckle Outdoor businesses.
Outdoor advertising is a growing part of the Australian advertising market,
which is presently worth approximately A$7.4 billion per annum and was worth
A$130m (#55m) in the first six months of 2003.
Network originally listed on the ASX as a biotechnology company, but switched
its focus to outdoor media with the acquisition of advertising site broker
Outdoor Network Australia in November 2002 after some trials on one of its
biotech products were inconclusive.
Network's outdoor media business turnover increased to A$10.9m (#4.6m) in the
six months to June 2003 from A$2.9m (#1.2m) in the period to December 2002,
reflecting this change in business.
The company still derives recurrent revenue streams from a patent and licence
portfolio that includes key biotechnology assets, with annualised revenue of
some A$1.4m (#590,000). These include patents on proteins used for the diagnosis
of pre-natal disorders, fertility monitoring and potentially cancer diagnosis,
and one with potential therapeutic applications in cancer treatment. Network
plans to dispose of these biotechnology assets to fund further expansion of its
media operations.
In addition to continuing to seek further media opportunities in the Australian
market, Network is planning further expansion, into the Asia Pacific, UK and
European markets.
Websites: www.networklimited.com /www.networkoutdoor.com.au
Contact:
David Massey +44 (0) 7885 331817
Gary Parkinson +44 (0) 7812 062366
Brendon Cook (Network CEO) +61 (0) 2 9954 5566
Fiona Reid +44 (0) 207 728 2318
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
MSCUAUNROWRAUAA