GFIN Gfinity Plc

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement via the Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

19 March 2024

Gfinity plc

("Gfinity" or the "Company")

Half Year Results

Gfinity (AIM: GFIN), a leading Digital Media provider, announces its unaudited results for the six-month period ended 31 December 2023 and which are also available on the Company's website www.gfinityplc.com  

Operational Highlights:

The period ended 31 December 2023 was a transitional period for the Company. During this period we made significant cost cuts through headcount reduction, renegotiated contracts and exiting unprofitable business lines.

After divesting the majority of Athlos Gaming Technologies in June 2023, we completed the full exit in this period. We thus reduced any ongoing exposure to Athlos (Athlos requires significant further investment over the next 12 months, and a refocus on their product offering). The completed exit generated proceeds of £260,000, and a profit on disposal of the same amount, which is included in the Operating Loss, as shown in the Profit and Loss account*.

The Company was also able to divest our Esports Solutions division, while retaining some potential upside stake, without the risk of any further liabilities. The esports sector has been in a multi-year downturn, with the industry's leaders all trying to find a profitable business model, based on broadcasting and one off events, without control of game IP.

In the past 6 months, Gfinity has laid essential groundwork for new, future revenue growth: in terms of traffic/audience, by launching new sites and collaborating with national publishers on gaming content; and, in terms of sales, by taking more control in-house - both commercially and technically - of our advertising and sponsorship sales, we are now well placed to drive improved yields, and volumes.

In addition, we have reduced the digital media and management headcount. Restructuring our website editorial and writing teams to a more centralised structure enabled over 50% reduction; and at a senior level, we have reduced by two Directors, along with other senior roles. We now operate a much flatter and responsive model, more in keeping with today's technology industry.

The actions above show significant progress in cost cutting, with monthly costs reduced by over 70%, and headcount now appropriate for a modern digital company. Gfinity has now moved to a period where we can focus on profitability through a new more disciplined approach to our budget.

Gfinity is now focused as a pure play digital media network, operating 12 sites. The Gfinity Digital Media network performed well during the period, with revenues increasing, and monthly session numbers rebounding to over 10,000,000 in December. The network added one new site in the period, with plans to add at least one further site in H2 2024. We have also incorporated AI into our processes, to streamline workflows and make considerable savings. 

As a gaming and entertainment network, we continue to be highly attractive to advertisers, which is reflected in our healthy income per user.

The Company appointed David Halley as CEO in August, to oversee the overhaul of the Company into an effective platform for future growth.

Outlook

The whole digital media sector experienced significant pressure in H2 2023, with several Google algorithm changes creating uncertainty and headwinds. However, the gaming vertical continues to generate interest, and remains an exciting part of the sector into the future.

Now we have concluded our budget reduction process, we are confident we can deliver further improvements in profitability in H2 FY2024, with cashflow increasing as we improve and increase our sites and editorial.

Overall, Gfinity remains well positioned as a business, with a strong reputation, an owned audience and proprietary technology in an industry that continues to grow. The Directors believe that the actions taken over the six months to December 2023 have positioned the business to fully capitalise on that opportunity. In 2024, we believe there will be consolidation in our market, with distressed players for sale; and big opportunities will arise in the monetisation of publishers and the attached technology which Gfinity can own and leverage to create large, scalable opportunities.

For further information please contact:

Enquiries:

Beaumont Cornish Limited ("Beaumont Cornish") is the Company's Nominated Adviser and is authorised and regulated by the FCA. Beaumont Cornish's responsibilities as the Company's Nominated Adviser, including a responsibility to advise and guide the Company on its responsibilities under the AIM Rules for Companies and AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers, are owed solely to the London Stock Exchange. Beaumont Cornish is not acting for and will not be responsible to any other persons for providing protections afforded to customers of Beaumont Cornish nor for advising them in relation to the proposed arrangements described in this announcement or any matter referred to in it.

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