m4e AG publishes Annual Report 2013 m4e - June 2014

 
Stable business performance and pipeline of exciting own productions provides positive outlook

• Turnover improves slightly to 19.1 mill. Euro (previous year: 19.0 mill. Euro)
• EBIT rises to 1.2 mill. Euro (previous year: 1.1 mill. Euro)
• Success story of award-winning TV-series „Mia and me®“ continues
• Own productions and the international expansion of the licensing program promise further growth

m4e AG (ISIN DE000A0MSEQ3), listed in the Entry Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, publishes its annual report 2013 today. Turnover and earnings show a slight growth compared to the previous year, indicating a stable business performance and staying within the expectations of the executive board. The m4e group generated in the last fiscal year a consolidated turnover of 19.1 million Euro (previous year: 19.0 million Euro). During the reporting year, the EBITDA was at 2.2 million Euro, as in the previous year. The m4e group achieved an EBIT of 1.2 million Euro, compared to 1.1 million in the previous year. The equity capital rose as per 31. December 2013 to 12.6 million Euro (previous year: 12.1 million Euro). As consequence, the equity ratio improved to 60 per cent at the end of the year 2013, after 56 per cent in the previous year. Long-term assets are almost completely capped by the equity capital. Thus the m4e AG has a stable equity base.

In 2013, the m4e AG has laid a solid foundation to ensure further growth of the company group by new own IP- and licensing rights. “Mia and me®” has become a worldwide success, being broadcasted in more than 80 countries. This automatically leads to a bigger awareness for animated TV series on the international market. The m4e AG succeeded in establishing an extensive international marketing strategy. Due to excellent broadcasting ratings and its huge popularity, Lucky Punch – a joint venture between the m4e AG and Gerhard Hahn – and Rainbow are already working on a second season that is planned to be completed by end of 2014/beginning of 2015. Moreover, m4e AG and its co-production partners have agreed to get started with the development of a script for season 3, in order to continue the success story of “Mia and me®”. Even a feature film is planned, giving the brand an additional boost. All activities are designed to ensure the longevity of the brand.

Outlook

In 2014, the m4e group will focus on the international expansion of the licensing program of its successful properties. Thus the m4e AG will extend the worldwide agency network of “Mia and me®” in terms of licensing & merchandising, in order to sustainably establish the brand in important international key markets. After the series’ TV launch in the US, Russia, France and Spain, significant potentials can be expected.

The TV-series „Tip the Mouse“ (in Germany: Leo Lausemaus), which is planned to launch in fall 2014, should be accompanied by a variety of license products on the shelves of retailers. The delivery of the series to international broadcasters is intended for fall 2014 as well. With the Munich-based company blue eyes Fiction GmbH, m4e is currently working on the production of a feature film of the well-known publishing property “Pünkelchen” (original title: Pinkeltje, written by Dick Laan). Due to the positive feedback from international broadcasters, the animated series “Atchoo!” indicates further success. Start of production for this series is expected for fall 2014.

Hans Ulrich Stoef, CEO of m4e AG : „Our portfolio of own IP-rights is continuously growing and with „Mia and me®“ we delivered an international success. We currently have a program library of more than 2,200 episodes of kids and family entertainment. This extensive range of titles and our new promising productions allow us to be very positive about the future. It’s our goal to continue investing into the development and production of own respectively co-produced content, in order to strengthen our market position and to accelerate the growth of the m4e group.”

The annual report 2013 is available as download: www.m4e.de/de/IR_Finanzberichte.html.