Dec 2014 Financial News

eMedia eyes Stock Exchange listing with ad agency launch

Dec 05, 2014

Tyrone Wilson, president and chief executive of eMedia Interactive Ltd, said that launching the start-up's advertising agency, named 'Branded', would form part of its growth strategy to eventually list on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE).

The agency, launched on Tuesday, would seek to construct advertising and branding for large and medium-sized companies.

"It's a digital creative advertising company that creates campaigns for companies," Wilson told the Jamaica Observer following the launch at Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston.

'Branded' operated months prior, but the company was officially launched at a press conference which aims to increase its exposure.

"The industry is a multi-billion dollar industry when you look at the spend at the big telecoms, banks and the distribution companies. It's a big advertising spend. We want to target the production and creative aspect [of advertising] and leave the ad placement because that is not our area," he explained.

eMedia employs 10 full-time and 10 part-time staff which allows for a lean organisation. The company has previously indicated that listing would provide an exit option for its backers. In 2012, Sagicor invested US$350,000 in eMedia with an option to convert to shares. Richard Byles serves as chairman of eMedia.

Wilson indicated that 2015 would be a crucial year in determining the listing timeline.

"Hopefully, in a year or so we can list the company. So we are looking at 2016," he said. "We are trying to see how well we do in 2015 and by mid-year we will decide what to do. Because the benefits of the Junior Market will be removed pretty soon, hopefully we can reach the market before then. Right now we want to grow and become more profitable and build the revenue streams."

Branded was described as the first digital creative agency. The company offers "affordable, expansive video options and the addition of an app service accompanying eMedia Interactive Ltd". eMedia is also pioneering an online Talent Hub, where actors and models can sell their services direct to clients.

"The eMedia Talent Hub allows talent to, in essence, be their own agent," stated a company release.

"Branded by eMedia is all about being nimble, affordable and creative. The idea started out of a need expressed by companies about reducing their expenditure on advertising material while retaining the same quality or even better," the press release quotes Wilson. "Our board of directors are fully behind this segment of the business and we're very confident in our abilities to disrupt the market and create a paradigm shift in how we approach advertising and marketing in Jamaica."

The creative team is led by Creative Director Zinzi Samuels, a graduate of the Institute of European Design.

Source:
BY STEVEN JACKSON Business reporter jacksons@jamaicaobserver.com
Jamaica Observer
Friday December 5, 2014    

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/eMedia-eyes-Stock-Exchange-listing-with-ad-agency-launch_18053283