Press release
Digital transformation of the print media operations, entering the TV market and growth of profitability of the Group's key segments are the priorities of the Agora Group in the coming years. The Group focuses on organic growth but does not exclude acquisitions.
On March 3rd, 2014, the Management Board of Agora S.A. presented the most important growth directions of the Agora Group in the coming years. The primary objective is the growth in media sector within the frame of the defined mission, which is deliver to our customers credible information and quality entertainment, and to our business partners effective ways to reach their clients.
- The prerequisite of the realization of our mission is the economic success, and that requires higher revenues and improvement in profitability - said Wanda Rapaczynski, the Company's CEO.
The key to the Group's success is execution of four main tasks:digital transformation of print media operations, building position in the TV market, profitability improvement of the Group's key business segments, cost optimization of the Group's shared functions and infrastructure.
The most important challenge and at the same time the largest opportunity for the Agora Group is the digital transformation of its print media operations. Due to the implementation of the metered paywall on "Gazeta Wyborcza's" website this process significantly accelerated. Agora plans to attract ca 40 thousand of paying digital subscribers with its offer till the end of 2014. In order to achieve that goal, the Group wants to support development of quality journalism and build necessary technological tools.
On March 15, 2014 the Agora Group enters the TV market. Stopklatka TV - a TV channel created together with Kino Polska TV S.A. is said to start broadcasting on that day. Agora believes in a quick success of the digital film channel and its aspires to building a significant position in the TV thematic channel market in the long term perspective.
Agora plans to develop its other business segments; the key objective defining their growth directions is planned profitability growth in respective businesses.
The Group aims to create the most common cinema network which is closest to the moviegoers, increase the scale of cinema movie distribution and releasing the first film production as the lead producer in 2015. In the outdoor business Agora wants to strengthen its position in the premium panel segment. Construction of 1 580 bus shelters in Warsaw will be an important step in execution of this strategy. The Company plans participation in similar projects in other Polish cities. The priority for our online operations is an intensive growth in mobile and video as well as further diversification of revenue streams. The organic growth of our radio business is dependent on the number of available licences. The Group's objective is to successfully acquire the largest possible number of them in order to grow technical reach of current radio stations, optimization of music formats and building the model of distribution of audio content online.
The Agora Group went through cost savings programs several times during the past years. It allowed the Group to face the influence of the recession and structural changes in the media market on its results. In the coming years, apart from the profitable growth of its key segments, the Group plans a set of optimization initiatives related to the Group's cost of shared functions and infrastructure.
In the Board's opinion execution of the set tasks in the coming years will facilitate successful transformation of the Group's operations, leading to growth of efficiency and the business scale. This in turn should result in the growth of value for shareholders. Simultaneously, delivering its mission, the Group will become the first and natural choice for its users and business partners, to whom it delivers credible information and quality entertainment, as well as innovative solution for business partners to reach their clients.
More information on the plans of the Agora Group in the coming years - including selected business segments, can be found in the presentation:
Agora Group: mid-term growth directions, at www.agora.pl.