Update
MILESTONE GROUP PLC ("Milestone" or the "Company")
Update
INTRODUCTION
Milestone, the AIM quoted (AIM: MSG) provider of digital media and technology
solutions, is pleased to announce an update on recent developments following its
acquisition of the FEDS / LIMIT software solutions (announced 2 August 2011) and
Oil Productions Ltd (announced 15 August 2011),.
Highlights
* Onside - Pilot commenced with Charlton Athletic Community Trust. Discussions
now taking place with other sporting entities, including Saracens Rugby Club
and Premiership Rugby.
* VO1CE - Pilot of new community initiative launched with the Metropolitan
Police Hackney Gangs Intervention Team.
* Oil Productions - Contract with Unilever's "Lynx" Brand renewed.
SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT OF FEDS / LIMIT PRODUCTS
FEDS is a collaborative working tool that allows for real-time feedback and
sharing of information. The Company has extended the programme and is developing
it in a number of new sectors including sport and the community.
1: OnSide
The "OnSide" project, which was first announced on 8 April 2011, uses the FEDS
software to produce a dynamic risk assessment tool within community sports,
initially in football and then being rolled out across various sports. This is
initially being piloted with Charlton Athletic Community Trust ("CACT"). CACT
runs football coaching sessions in the community and is using the software to
monitor and evaluate attendance, demonstrate good governance and procedures
within the organisation, real-time information sharing with various stakeholders
and as a dynamic risk assessment tool. OnSide was developed to help build safer
local communities.
The Company is also in discussions with other sporting entities, including
Saracens Rugby Club and Premiership Rugby, in relation to a potential rollout of
the OnSide application.
2: VO1CE
The Company has also developed the FEDS software into VO1CE, a community project
in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police's Hackney Gangs Intervention Team.
The platform allows over 30 stakeholders, such as the local police, community
organisations and focus groups to share information, news and events in real
time and on mobile devices. Initial trials of VO1CE in Hackney have now
commenced.
FURTHER CONTRACT WINS FOR OIL PRODUCTIONS
Oil Productions Limited is a multi-platform, digital media design studio that
was acquired by Milestone in August 2011. Â Since the acquisition, Oil has signed
four new projects for the Conran Group, Scholastic, Eyemedia Ltd and Heretics
Agency, as announced on 25 August 2011.
Recently, Oil has been retained to carry out a further project for Unilever's
"Lynx" brand. Â In January 2010, Oil launched Lynx Twist with the "Keeping
Keeley" interactive sitcom on Facebook, which featured Keeley Hazel (Model) and
Blake Harrison (From Channel 4's The Inbetweeners). This was followed up in
March 2011 with the Lynx Excite "Fallen Angel" campaign in which Oil created a
personalised movie of "you" tempting the Angel Gabriel (Kelly Brook) from heaven
to visit you in your street. Â The campaigns have been a great success and as a
result Lynx's Facebook community is set to top 500,000 fans this month. Â Oil has
been asked to re-launch both campaigns via Lynx's Facebook channel.
BOARD STRENGTHENED WITH NEW NON-EXEC
On 15 August 2011, Milestone announced the appointment of David Hill as a Non-
Executive Director of the Company. David has a strong skill set for developing
and executing strategy to achieve the successful delivery of the Company's
objectives.
FUNDRAISING CONTINUES
As announced on 15 August 2011, the Company raised £201,893, at a premium to the
prevailing market price, through the issue of 20,189,300 new ordinary shares in
the Company.
The Company is seeking to raise further funds in the near future to further
accelerate its growth strategy.
Deborah White, CEO, commented:
"The amount of progress we have made over the last 3 months is very pleasing
indeed. Â Whilst there is still much work to do the positive response we have
received and heightened level of enquiries seen across the product range further
demonstrates the strength of offering we have worked very hard to put in place.
We are building momentum and this is an exciting time for Milestone Group."
Nick Darvill, Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT), comments on OnSide:
"Onside designed and created by Milestone provides the CACT with reportable
structures and procedures. Coach certification, dynamic risk assessments and the
immediate monitoring of participants and stakeholders are all recorded and
evaluated. Immediate access to statistics ensures our coaching resource
(including 139 casual coaches) is correctly managed and deployed. Onside
provides us with the facility for real time information sharing between all our
stakeholders thereby ensuring training sessions are conducted in safe
environments based on current information. This demonstrates the
CACT/stakeholder commitment to building safer communities."
Inspector Russ Joao, Gangs Intervention Team, Hackney Borough Metropolitan
Police Service, comments on VO1CE:
"VO1CE brings together the Metropolitan police and the 32 third party
stakeholders in the London Borough of Hackney. Milestone Group provides the
managed service that enables the real time information sharing between the
stakeholders. This will enhance community cohesion, increase trust and
confidence and demonstrates a commitment to building safer communities within
the Borough"
Helen Clayton, Programme Manager, Premiership Rugby
"The safety of all those involved in rugby is at the centre of what Premiership
Rugby strives to achieve. The OnSide initiative aims to deliver a safer
environment for all young people, staff and volunteers that participate in
sports within the community. We are pleased to be actively participating in this
pilot with Milestone and look forward to working with them going forward."
For further information:
Milestone Group PLC
Deborah White, Chief Executive Tel: 020 7929 7826
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, Nominated Adviser
Liam Murray / Avi Robinson Tel: 020 7148 7900
Hybridan LLP, Broker
Claire Louise Noyce Tel: 020 7947 4350
College Hill, PR
Jamie Ramsay Tel: 020 7457 2020
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Source: Milestone Group PLC via Thomson Reuters ONE
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