Infote seeks 9 pct profit rise
Infote, the directories division of OTE which was hived off from the telecoms operator late last year, is targeting a 9 percent rise in revenues and profits this year. Ioannis Vassilaras, chief executive, said the company is aiming for revenues of 55.3 million euros and profits of 10 million euros this year compared with 50.5 million euros and 14.3 million euros respectively in the 15-month period October 1, 2001 to December 31, 2002. The optimism stems from the company’s strong growth in both revenues and customers, Vassilaras told Kathimerini English Edition. «Our annual revenue growth rate is around 20-30 percent and our customer growth is at 30 percent,» he said. Unveiling the results of the company’s rebranding exercise, Vassilaras said the new corporate identity, which comes complete with a new logo and slogan, is expected to boost consumer awareness of Infote. Infote’s expanded product range is also seen as contributing to growth. Apart from its trademark Yellow Pages directory, the company is planning new offerings in the coming months as it builds on the success of its Business to Business guide, which came out last September, and its road guide targeted at motorists and travelers, which was released last month, Vassilaras said. A directory covering local traders in Attica is expected to come out next year. With the launch of the Greek business network, Infote is also hoping to bring together Greek-owned and -managed companies or foreign firms seeking to do business in Greece. So far, more than 1,200 companies have signed up for the service. Individuals seeking information on shops and pharmacies, among others, and who are disinclined to let their fingers do the walking, can call up a four-digit number under another service scheduled to kick off in a pilot phase in Athens in early summer.
