• 2022 revenue reached €72.7 million (+36%) and total revenue €88.9 million (+39%), with recurring EBITDA of €16 million (+26%).
• The firm’s commitment to innovation has been key, with its Deep Digital Business unit now accounting for one-third of operating revenue.
• After nearly doubling in size since 2020, LLYC expects continued growth in 2023, forecasting 10% growth in operating revenues and gross operating income.

International communications consulting firm LLYC closed 2022 with strong growth, as shown in its unaudited earnings preview. It achieved a record total revenue of €88.9 million, beating the 2021 amount (€64.1 million) by 39%. The firm’s operating revenues amounted to €72.7 million, up 36% from the €53.3 million earned in 2021. Recurring EBITDA rose 26% to €16 million. Meanwhile, LLYC’s U.S. operation confirmed its great potential for growth and profitability, contributing 7% of the company’s 2022 earnings. With these results, LLYC has delivered on the objectives set out in its strategic plan.

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Snapshot of LLYC's unaudited 2022 results. (Graphic: Business Wire)

“Despite the uncertainty, 2022 has been a good year for the firm,” shared Jose Antonio Llorente, Founding Partner and President of LLYC. “Revenues and EBITDA show we are a solid, healthy and profitable consulting firm. But we are also increasingly diverse, plural, and creative, allowing us to face coming challenges as best as possible.”

Organic and Inorganic Growth

Pro forma operating income grew 19% in 2022. The three operations LLYC acquired in 2021 (CHINA, Apache, and BESO) contributed €15.6 million and are now fully integrated into the company. Organic growth, which accounted for 19% in operating income, was evenly distributed between Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

Profitability is well-balanced between the results contributed by the company’s 2021 acquisitions (with pro forma EBITDA growth of 11%) and LLYC’s other operations (organic EBITDA growth of 15%). LLYC’s units demonstrated their resilience in 2022, even in countries going through political and economic instability: 30% of the firm’s EBITDA comes from the Americas.

LLYC has nearly doubled in size since 2020, with total revenue up 99%, operating revenue up 81%, and EBITDA up 90%. These results have enabled the firm to invest in developing its people. LLYC ended 2022 with 1,131 professionals, 17% above 2021. The firm promoted 15% of its workforce (167 LLYCers) to positions of greater responsibility, also welcoming 671 young professionals to the 2022 “Challengers” program and 49 new senior experts to various managerial positions.

Commitment to Innovation

LLYC’s Deep Digital Business services not only experienced an increase in demand (98% revenue growth), but have also been confirmed as being highly valuable to the company: 32% of operating revenue already comes from this unit.

The firm also invested €800,000 in R+D+i projects, mainly in the Deep Learning area and innovations such as a new structure for working with multiple data sources or a new data analysis tool, which uses proprietary algorithms to examine social conversation sentiment and determine its impact on brand reputation.

2023 Budget

LLYC expects to continue its growth this year, with its approved budget including 10% increases in both operating income (to €80 million) and recurring EBITDA (to €17.6 million). Total revenues are expected to rise 8%, reaching €96 million. Operating income will continue to be balanced across the firm’s three business units: 35% from Europe, 31% from the Americas, and 34% from Deep Digital Business.

This budget reflects organic growth only. The company continues to evaluate investment opportunities to add new acquisitions to these figures.

Awards

In 2022, LLYC earned 120 national and international awards and recognitions at important events such as the Cannes Lions, New York Advertising Awards, El Sol, FIAP, Effie, IPRA Golden Awards, El Ojo de Iberoamérica, Eikon, Eficacia, Sabre Awards, and PRWeek Global Awards. The firm was also named “Best PR Agency in Europe” at PRWeek Global 2022” and “PR Company of the Year” and “Best Public Relations Agency in Europe” at the 2022 International Business Awards.

About LLYC

LLYC (BME: LLYC) is a global communications, digital marketing, and public affairs consulting firm with U.S. offices in New York, Miami, and Washington, D.C. and over 1,000 professionals in 12 countries. With over 25 years of expertise, we advise companies that range from startups and unicorns to the biggest Fortune 500 firms.

We help clients make data-driven choices that ensure their company’s reputation, trust, and credibility. Whether working on a campaign that will truly connect with people, completing an M&A operation, or carrying out any other communications project or strategy, LLYC’s innovative and creative approach to storytelling, extensive experience, and exclusive insights help clients make their visions into reality.

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