Sparks

S4 Capital is still finding market conditions tough, with net revenue down 12.6% like-for-like in its third quarter, making it down 13.2% over the nine months. The causes of the weakness are unchanged – in the Content practice a difficult macro backdrop leading to client caution, with the large tech clients still quiet on the marketing front, and in the Tech Services practice, the negative impact of one particular substantial client reducing its relationship. The group has been continuing to take action on the cost front, including reducing headcount, with the results that operational EBITDA is only likely to be ‘slightly down’ on the prior year. 

On new business, the group reports plenty of interest in its AI-driven offerings in mass personalisation at scale, particularly in visualisation and copywriting, with additional benefits stemming from greater automation and more transparency in media planning and buying, which are already being experienced internally.