Vtr Share Discussion Threads

[hosede] 06/8/2007 13:20

I hold just over 20k still showing a sizable loss - though much less than when they languished at 24p. Was thinking of selling, but they look so strong at the moment I've changed my mind! Thanks for your posts Walker10

[walker10] 06/8/2007 09:27

Further to my post above :

They have already been quoted as saying: "Our whole plan is to use VTR as our vehicle for global growth, " says Prime Focus boss Parvinder Bhatia.

If as the above artical is true that they are hovering over a firm in the US and the huge expansion plans in India quote:

"And with domestic and international business growing at a fast pace, the management intends to more than quadruple its employee base here adding another 700 VFX artists and animators in the coming years."

VTR I suggest must be one of the cheapest global business you can buy what market cap of 17m. We will see!!!!

[walker10] 06/8/2007 08:43

If this is true and it will be sooner or later,hello global business :

Prime Focus is hovering over a firm in the US
Reliable market sources indicate that a possible buyout in the US has been chalked out already and that the company is pursuing the matter very seriously. "Having acquired VTR Plc and Clear in the UK earlier in the year and turning them profitable within the first year, the promoters are now eyeing the US market. The objective most likely is to gain a considerable share of the digital post-production and VFX from Hollywood through acquisition in the US," the source said.

[walker10] 03/8/2007 08:34

Disney, Hallmark, and Mike Young Productions head to India, as the country's $1.5 billion animation industry graduates to co-produced projects

"A growing number of big studios are heading to India. For instance, Mumbai studio Prime Focus is currently working with U.K.-based SFX specialist Cinesite (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) on two film projects".



These two film projects will be the ones that where mentioned in the final results:

"These new found strengths have also been employed to work on two more Feature
Films which will complete this Summer. These projects will rely very heavily on
the London - India pipeline and as a result of key members of staff relocating
to India and some international appointments, the process is now running very
smoothly. Once these projects have been completed, proof of the post production
global model will have been proved as a concept and we hope to sell this concept to other clients as well".

[walker10] 02/8/2007 13:53

Winning work from Blink Productions,projects RAF,O2,also documentary on Lord of the Rings.

I thought June and July where slower months due to hoidays,but then with a whole team sitting over in India I guess it doesent affect them.



Nice wins.

[walker10] 01/8/2007 10:01

Prime Focus provide the finishing touches to Kaiser Chiefs latest video.

Kaiser Chiefs latest release 'Angry Mob' is directed by WIZ and has (Prime Focus London) PFL working from humble HD-cam footage to add cheeky details.

[walker10] 01/8/2007 09:25

Cost and quality are the driving forces that have triggered the move. And India will soon be a preferred postproduction destination of the world, predicts Namit Malhotra, managing director of Mumbai-based Prime Focus, which executed the simulated bombing of London by using aerial shots for the post-apocalyptic horror film, 28 Days.

"First, India has a strong local film industry. Second, Hollywood's needs of digital post-production are growing at a very rapid pace and the supply is unable to keep up with the demand. And finally from the global point of view, India is cost effective," Malhotra says.



Indian companies are leaving no stone unturned to cash in on post-production offshoring. Sources in the industry predict that the Indian visual effects market, poised currently at $15 million, is expected to go up to $85 million in two years' time with offshoring adding substantially to the burgeoning domestic market.

[walker10] 31/7/2007 20:00

The case for outsourcing
Asia's own production markets have built up a broad post production base, with the associated technology, skills and infrastructure. They're well-equipped and are servicing both domestic and international markets. According to NASSCOM, the Indian National Association of Software and Service Companies, US $30 million was spent on Indian work for fully animated movies in 2005. This revenue is expected to grow to around US $180 million by 2009.

[walker10] 31/7/2007 15:42

pick of the week

Prime Focus Ltd.(PRIFOC)

By Ankit Kedia
Prime Focus, a post-production and visual effects service house, is well geared to capitalise on the boom in the media and entertainment industry through geographical expansions. It has forayed into the high-margin visual effects (VFX) and animation business, and also equipment rental and film distribution. We believe these initiatives would translate into significant returns for shareholders.

[walker10] 31/7/2007 13:07

"Our whole plan is to use VTR as our vehicle for global growth, " says Prime Focus boss Parvinder Bhatia.

Sound very exciting to me!!!



No wonder they increased their stake a few days ago !!!

[walker10] 31/7/2007 12:14

"Our status as part of the Prime Focus family means we're going to be able to take on much larger projects," Huhtala told shots.net. "Our new outsourcing model is truly unique amongst post houses and means Prime Focus London and Prime Focus Mumbai will have reciprocal access to foreign markets and the specialist knowledge of our partners in those markets."


"Prime Focus's move into the European market is a further indication of the strength of the creative services industry in India. The company was responsible for the post on Ram Madhvani's Happydent spot, which picked up two silver Lions at this year's Cannes festival. With an increasingly tech-savvy population that tops the 1 billion mark and a mobile uptake rate of around 6 million new phone contracts each month, all eyes will surely be turned towards India in the coming months."

[walker10] 25/7/2007 10:48

Maybe this is why they both have invested further:

The UK film industry contributed £4.3 billion to UK GDP in 2006, up from £3.1 billion in 2004, a 39% increase in two years according to an independent report by Oxford Economics published today.

This figure takes account of the widespread contribution made by the UK film industry to the economy including revenues made through employment, production and servicing through to profits from worldwide exploitation, exports, merchandising and UK tourism.

The UK film industry has grown significantly – from an average of 43 films per year made in the 1980s to 120 a year since 2000.

The report also confirms that the Government's new film tax relief is working well, keeping the UK competitive and supporting the growth of a thriving film sector. As a result, the UK is expected to attract around 11% of global film production over the period to 2010 with inward investment rising to about £800 million by 2010.

[walker10] 25/7/2007 09:14

Hello hello so we have Focus increasing their grip by buying another 3% and they were good enough to let the other 250000 shares go to ACC group.

Perhaps they see the return to the glory days of 2001 when they made 2.8m on turnover of 23m and paid a dividend of 5.5p.

In early 2001 the share price spent most of the time between 1.60 and 1.80 range.

[walker10] 24/7/2007 08:02

"Blue is in the process of completing the graphics, nitris online and audio new MTV game show, Fist of Zen."



Perhaps an example of what Shepperton were talking about when they stated that "independent producers are increasing their investment in television programme production."

Also VTR Beirut are hiring staff in the Middle East good sign.

[walker10] 23/7/2007 14:54

ACC group over on plus is on the move,see earlier posts,Im not supprised talk about buying a £1 for .50p.

[walker10] 23/7/2007 10:34

This seems to be holding up well,since Ive been on my hols abroad where the sun shines day after day !!!

I post a little on Pinewood Shepperton to have a look at how the state of the UK film industry/TV is doing see link to their Final Results in March:



I like the following statements:

"The improved trading performance of Pinewood Shepperton during 2006 was mainly attributable to the ongoing recovery in film production in the UK following the anticipated resolution of UK film fiscal policy. Nearly all of the increase was accounted for by the rise in inward investment from international filmmakers, particularly the major Hollywood Studios."

and

"In television, the major broadcasters and independent producers are increasing their investment in television programme production. This focus augers well for Pinewood Shepperton's growing television business, which recorded increased revenues during 2006. As UK consumers enjoy more available channels, we expect to continue to build our television studio market share as well as hosting a number of channels, particularly at our Teddington Studios."

Make of this what you will but sounds pretty good to me for the future.

[walker10] 13/7/2007 16:09

I suggest theres a way to go yet. we will see !

[britishbear] 13/7/2007 16:08

keep the posts coming Walker even if it appears to be a lonely furrow there are still plenty reading this thread.

As an ex- holder this was was a good buy a few weeks back - how much further can it rise? Hmmm. Watching carefully.

[walker10] 13/7/2007 16:03

ACC group over on the plus market mrk cap 1.42 m stake now worth over £500,000. see my post 40 earlier.

[walker10] 13/7/2007 10:00

Neil Lane, VTR plc Group Managing Director, said: "The launch of Prime Focus London will complete a 12 month restructure within VTR plc, which has seen enormous investment not only in Prime Focus London, but also in blue Post Production. We now have a streamlined, fully integrated group that can utilise equipment, resources and infrastructure in a very flexible manner. There is also a fantastic buzz across the group that a new company now exists with fresh ideas, a new way of working and a very modern, forward-thinking strategy."

[walker10] 12/7/2007 09:26

And here is an example of the above :

[walker10] 12/7/2007 08:41

To better understand the ambitions for VTR by Prime focus, I return to the statement in March 2006 when they first made their Strategic Investment it read as follows:

Strategy

Over the past five years the post production industry in the UK has altered as a
result of globalisation, and the influx of new mediums of delivery, most
significantly the internet, and new standards (high-definition) have taken
effect. Whilst revenues and prices from traditional post-production remain
under pressure the Board have identified several areas of business which
potentially offer prospects to grow and deliver increased returns to
shareholders. To date the Group has been unable to take full advantage of these
opportunities. The investment by PFL will, in the Board's opinion, allow
developments in the following areas:


Film

VTR already has digital cinema facilities. To date it has lacked the scale and
investment to win a high volume of national and international film projects,
especially in the area of visual effects. PFL currently works on approximately
60 major film releases per year in the fast-growing Asian and Indian film
markets, and has already made headway into the international film market. The
combination of VTR and PFL will potentially open up new business opportunities
to VTR.


Digital asset management

We are seeing an increasing requirement from our clients for sophisticated
digital asset management solutions. The scope of these services ranges from
content management for archives through to brand asset management for
multinationals. VTR already has a presence in this market, through TMR Digital,
but has lacked the scale to compete in what is increasingly a global
marketplace. PFL's infrastructure and its access to the Indian software market
will help the growth of VTR's digital asset management business.


New market sectors

New market sectors are developing with the divergence of use of technology by
consumers. Consequently, demands for services tailored to produce output for
devices such as mobile phones is growing at a fast pace. However, the low
margins available, to date, have made it difficult for VTR to operate
profitably. With PFL's ability to deliver solutions at reduced costs, coupled
with VTR's industry knowledge, the Board is optimistic that new revenue streams
can be opened.


Global

The UK post-production industry has, with a few exceptions, remained a
relatively domestic industry. Through PFL's existing operations and partners,
VTR will acquire international access, allowing it to serve customers on a
global, 24/7 basis. PFL's intention is to expand its presence internationally
with openings already planned in Los Angeles, USA and Dubai in the near future.
This will create an international network when combined with VTR's offices in
London.

I would say that with the 7 month results just reported that this is just beginning to work,and the journey will continue to gather momentum.

Exciting times ahead for them.

[walker10] 11/7/2007 15:15

There is also lots of tax loss to use up, so the remaining debt will fall pretty rapidly.

[walker10] 11/7/2007 08:32

This has appeared on their web site :Prime Focus London see link:



I like the following statements:

"Whilst each project is directed by a well-known London name, tasks that do not require on-site creative supervision and input can be shared with Prime Focus' Indian facilities using a high-speed secure pipeline, thus increasing the available resources to approximately 750 staff and significantly lengthening the working day".

and

"Furthermore, Prime Focus London's CGI team has been increased in capacity by 40 per cent due to the overwhelming demand for their skills".

OVERWELMING DEMAND sounds good to me.