Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd - Announcements
Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd - Announcements
Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd - Announcements
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Chairman’s S TATEMENT<br />
Our Advertising Division, which saw a 22% increase<br />
in advertising revenue during the year, remained the<br />
main contributor to the Group’s profitability.<br />
The year also saw our Multimedia Division<br />
registering a total turnover of RM12.9 million, which<br />
is an encouraging start for a relative newcomer.<br />
An increase in circulation of our publications and cover<br />
prices also contributed towards an improved turnover.<br />
CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS<br />
As a Group that is still growing, we are continually<br />
fine-tuning our portfolio of businesses activities.<br />
To this end, we are divesting businesses that are no<br />
longer profitable or do not fit in with our vision of<br />
what we want to be.<br />
As reported last year, in our efforts to get the best from<br />
<strong>Utusan</strong>’s investment portfolio, we ceased the operations<br />
of two wholly-owned subsidiaries, <strong>Utusan</strong> Audio Sdn<br />
<strong>Bhd</strong> and <strong>Utusan</strong> <strong>Melayu</strong> (Singapura) Pte Ltd.<br />
While selectively hiving-off certain businesses,<br />
we remain alert to new business opportunities that<br />
support and add value to the Group’s operations.<br />
A new addition to our stable of companies is Forum<br />
Exposition Sdn <strong>Bhd</strong>, a leading events management<br />
company specialising in organising product launches,<br />
trade exhibitions, conferences and other events.<br />
20 <strong>Utusan</strong> <strong>Melayu</strong> (<strong>Malaysia</strong>) Berhad<br />
The year 2000 will see the <strong>Utusan</strong> Group embark on<br />
a far-reaching restructuring exercise. Over the last<br />
few years, the Group has undergone a major<br />
transformation. From the printing and publishing<br />
house we used to be, we are rapidly evolving into a<br />
multiple media communications company. We will<br />
now need to streamline our operations to reflect the<br />
<strong>Utusan</strong> Group that is emerging and to ensure an<br />
optimal distribution of resources and energy. This<br />
would also be an opportune moment to look into<br />
and address all other aspects of our operations from<br />
various other perspective. By doing so, we will ensure<br />
that our interests, and ultimately those of our<br />
shareholders, will be safeguarded.<br />
OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS<br />
On the operational front, 1999 was an eventful year<br />
for the <strong>Utusan</strong> Group. The Group continued to<br />
make headway to strengthen its position in several<br />
core business areas through strategic alliances. It was<br />
also a year of achievements. Four of our publications<br />
– <strong>Utusan</strong> <strong>Malaysia</strong>, Mingguan <strong>Malaysia</strong>, Mangga and<br />
Mastika – garnered the top spot in a poll survey<br />
conducted by A C Nielson.<br />
Above: Some of our book publications have garnered<br />
top spot recognition in the market.<br />
Left: Venturing into Motion Plus outdoor advertising<br />
has been a major success into new opportunities.