Update from Mark Blundell, New Paradigm Ceo
Mark, took time to bring "us" up to date by phone. Our conversation is summarized as follows:
1. On the question of earnings date. The earliest possible date is some time toward the end of May, no later than mid June. He wants to include a separate fourth quarter results with the year end summary.
He remains comfortable with the results, which will be "more profitable than the last quarter".
2. Since we last spoke, New Paradigm has registered 2 additional client wins. One of which is a win as a subcontract partner of a 3rd party agency. The other a major Tobacco company.
3. I asked what the average size of their contracts were. He broke it up into, internet direct vs. advertising(which may have an internet sub-component). $50K, was their minimum size for internet direct, $100K, for the general advertising contract.
4.When I called the other day he was about to give a pitch to a very prestigious client, in the travel industry. The pitch went very well.
I asked who were his competitors on the "call". He mentioned to advertising agency names, I didn't catch them(Barron GreatHouse or something was one.?). He said NPSC's advantage was the "internet component" that the customer was impressed with. A feature/capability that the competition did not have.
5.As for the small Connecticut agency that he was in talks with for a possible acquisition(the future stock bid), he said he is dotting the i's and crossing the t's on the deal, we will hear something in mid May. Significance here was a strategic client of the agencies.
6.I asked about the new technology ad Banners in test at Land's End.
He is very excited about this as a whole new business opportunity.
The way they work is, without leaving the site, you click on the ad, (should you be interested in the product) and are presented product info along with a drop down box that lets you purchase the product right where you are. The significance of this, is navigational convenience(you don't loose context of your current application), speed and security. He is looking for some funding to develop this further. It is operational at the New York University website, in addition to Land's End.
Lastly, I asked him about the volatility in the stock price,if he was aware of it, and if he had a game plan for "stock appreciation".
I was quite pleased with his answer. He is aware, and plans on bringing more attention to the stock. He will employ the services of a PR firm, to bring their story to "the street". He happens to be in talks with a PR firm, M+A, with NewParadigm the acquirer, that may serve this purpose.
Mark is a very intelligent, charismatic British gentlemen, who knows what he wants, and sees a great future for this company.
I think we agree with him!
Cheers...jw
p.s. He asked if we could add a little buffer to the next interval.
Those are my words...I think he thinks I called just last week. I'm going to give him some slack so he can keep closing those deals!
Mark, keep up the good work. |
