IRD Group’s Research team is responsible for compiling all material available on Connector. The Researchers monitor a wide range of trade and consumer press, websites and press releases identifying embryonic corporate growth events (triggers). Activity we keep an eye out for include takeovers, acquisitions, financial results, mergers, expansions, Australian debuts, among others.
These triggers are identified as embryonic activity, and indicate to us that a company is engaging in growth, and therefore, likely to require your assistance to cope with this expansion.
These companies are called and the original article is enhanced (where possible) with:
All this information is structured into a lead, presenting you with an actionable business opportunity.
*The contact provided in Connector leads are generally the most senior Marketing contact at the company. If you require a more specific contact, please contact us.
All leads posted on Connector have been selected on the basis of the type of corporate growth activity it represents.
These Activity Types have been identified as indicators that a company is embarking on significant future activity and will most likely be in a position to require assistance with this activity.
They represent the perfect time for you to approach them.
Here is a brief explanation of the Activity Types covered by Connector and their significance:
Company News: General information or news on a company that may point to a change in a company and its plans for the future. Typical activity classified in this category includes corporate restructures, information on changes to announced business strategy, mass recruitments/retrenchments, change in focus or direction, and so forth.
Financial Result: Information relating to profit or sales increases/decreases. Generally, a profit increase indicates that a company is performing well, and may look at investing additional funds into future activity and growth. Significant profit increases are likely to leave a company in an improved cash flow position and better able to invest more heavily in people and B2B services and activities such as marketing. Profit decreases are also of interest, as they suggest that a company is not performing as well as it could, and may also be looking to third party companies for support improving its business operations or in delivering its business strategy and objectives. Profit announcements are typically accompanied by the release of information relating to a company’s future plans, and what its focus for the next financial period will be. These leads provide the strategic intelligence with which Connector subscribers can align their offering with the target company’s needs.
Merger: The merger of two companies is a significant corporate growth trigger given the rash of activity that typically surrounds such a development. Mergers typically result in a name change for the new business entity, or may involve one company being absorbed into the other. Other corporate activity resulting from a merger may include an office relocation, staff retrenchments, plans to increase staff numbers, new corporate logos and design, operational changes, and senior executive appointments and departures. The merger of two or more entities is also like to result in new business directions and the implementation of amended strategies that may require third party support.
Floatation: Company IPOs typically involve a public share offering, and are a relatively quick method for a company to raise significant amounts of cash, usually to fund future activities and growth. Floats are a precursor to growth. Typically, funds raised are channelled towards further company expansion or investment.
Aussie Debut: The debut of a company, especially a major international company with plans to expand its international presence by launching into Australia, is a significant trigger with a wide range of attendant business development opportunities. Activity stemming from a debut includes a recruitment drive as the company looks to staff its local office or interests. The company is also highly likely to form partnerships and alliances with local businesses for a variety of purposes, and may be open to proposals and approaches from companies capable of providing appropriate products and services in support of its market debut.
Expansion: The company expansion trigger signifies that a company is looking to increase its presence, whether domestically or internationally, and is investing heavily in doing so. It signifies an opportune moment for a third party to offer services, especially if the company is expanding interstate or internationally. Expansion could see a company open a new office in another state/country; increase its product/service range; launch brands or products into other regions or take on more staff to cope with demand.
Opening: This category relates mainly to new office openings, store openings. Openings signify new activity and are typically supported with a range of paid-for activities. Office and store openings are indicative of company expansion activity and may involve the recruitment of new staff members.
Distributor Move: This category relates to a product manufacturer appointing a third party company to distribute its goods or services. Often it relates to an international company which wants to distribute its products in a new region, and that does not want to establish a regional office or handle supply locally because of associated expenses or perceived lack of experience in that territory. When this is the case, a company will appoint a third party company to manage the distribution and marketing of its products in the specified territory. This category is significant because it is indicative of a company expanding its presence into a region, and it also may point to changes in how a brand or product is marketed and sold.
Acquisition: Acquisitions are significant because of the activity that occurs after one company purchases another. There are many possible outcomes, and accordingly new business opportunities, when one company is acquired by another – it may remain as a stand-alone entity, or it may be integrated into the parent company. Other activity resulting from an acquisition may include office relocations, new key executive appointments, implementation of new business strategies, a company restructure, major expansion etc. Typically, companies acquire rival entities, or purchase companies that complement their current products/services. Acquisitions can also apply to an investment company purchasing an asset.
Launch: This category applies to product or service launches from a company. Launches are significant because they signal current or future company activity, and are typically well publicised and supported with an advertising campaign, or related marketing activity.
Line Extension: A line extension relates to the release of new variations to an existing product or service range. It also applies to limited-edition releases. Line extensions are typically supported with advertising or marketing activity.
Relaunch: A relaunch applies to a company re-releasing a product or a service, usually with a new twist. Relaunches also apply to companies returning to a particular market, or retail outlets or hotels that undergo a refurbishment and re-open. Relaunches are typically fuelled by significant investment from the company, and are instigated in response to earlier problems or poor performance.
Rollout: A rollout has a few applications and may relate to a retail company opening stores within a short space of time across a region. Rollouts of this nature indicate major expansion plans on behalf of the company and are the result of an aggressive strategy and significant investment. This category also applies to product or service rollouts across a regional expanse; or may have a marketing focus, with a company rolling out a new logo or new brand strategy across its advertising activity.
Vacancy: A vacancy is likewise significant because it points to an imminent appointment (see above). If a vacancy is for an existing senior role, this could indicate that company activity relating to the role is suspended until a new appointment is made.
Appointment: This category applies mainly to senior positions. Typical appointments reported include major corporate decision-making roles, such as managing director, chief executive officer, chief financial officer chief operating officer, marketing directors/managers, human resources directors/managers, editors, creative directors, account directors, national sales directors/managers and business development managers. These appointments are reflective of a change in leadership and may indicate the implementation of a change in how a company conducts its business. If the appointment is for a more junior role, this may present IRD subscribers with an additional point of contact at the target company. Appointments are often a useful starting point from which an IRD subscriber may instigate contact with a company in order to pitch their services to the new appointee. If a business developer had had difficulties securing business with the previous incumbent of a post, the appointment of a successor to that post may be just what is required to secure a sale.
Marketing News: This category relates to news or information specific to a company’s marketing activity or strategy. It applies both to news reported from sources, or exclusive information uncovered by an IRD researcher. News relating to a company’s marketing strategy typically reflects a new company focus, or a need for change to its marketing arrangements, thereby presenting an opportunity for IRD subscribers within the marketing/advertising industry.