The M/A/R/C Group, Irving, TX, reported a net loss of $513,000 on revenue of $21.3 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 1999, compared with net income of $1.2 million on revenue of $24.3 million for the same period last year.
For the year the company reported net income of $104,000 on revenue of $88.9 million, compared to net income of $6.1 million on revenue of $96.7 million last year.
The company said its performance in the fourth quarter reflected losses in its research division driven by lower-than-expected revenues and increased operating expenses in its Targetbase Marketing agency. Expenses related to improving Targetbase's database marketing technology and developing interactive programs were in line with expectations, however; these investment costs were incurred in advance of anticipated revenues. While Targetbase was marginally profitable in the fourth quarter, operating margins continued to be under pressure awaiting the growth in revenues associated with new technology products.
