Latest news with #Gzira
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Q2 2025: Stable Core, Strategic Divestment, and Strengthened SubAffiliation Pipeline
TRIQ I-IMSIDA IL-GZIRA, MT / / July 23, 2025 / Raketech (STO:RAKE) - Quote from Johan Svensson, CEO "Focus remains on delivering on AffiliationCloud and our platform-first strategy, anchored in Affiliation and SubAffiliation. We will continue to explore new entrepreneurial partnerships in key markets and additional assets. By deepening our exclusive commercial operator agreements, diversifying beyond traditional SEO channels, and expanding our publisher network, we are well-positioned to drive efficiency, reach, and long-term value." Q2 2025 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Raketech recorded revenues of EUR 7.8 million in Q2 2025 (EUR 17.0 million in Q2 2024, which included EUR 0.8 million from the divested advisory business). Revenues were primarily affected by continuing challenges in the Paid Publisher Network (SubAffiliation). Our core Affiliation Marketing portfolio, excluding the Casumba assets, showed positive momentum, delivering a 5% revenue increase quarter-over-quarter. Adjusted EBITDA amounted to EUR 2.1 million, while reported EBITDA was EUR 2.0 million. During the quarter, we divested our non-core US tipster and subscription assets, with the transaction closing at the end of June. These assets, along with the related US operations, had a negative EBITDA impact of EUR 0.5 million in Q2. Adjusted EBITDA excluding US tipster assets was EUR 2.6 million in the quarter. Free cash flow before earnouts totalled EUR 1.8 million in Q2 2025, largely in line with EBITDA. OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS We achieved cost savings of 35% in Q2 2025 (excluding publisher costs) compared to Q1 of last year, which marked the initiation of a review of our operating model. We successfully divested our non-core US Tipster and Subscription assets, which is expected to result in improved profitability going forward, with additional monthly cost savings of approximately EUR 150k. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS AFTER THE END OF THE PERIOD Preliminary data on July 2025 revenues for our Affiliation Marketing assets indicate performance in line with typical seasonal trends as expected, reflecting a somewhat softer activity during the early summer period and the absence of major sport events. Activity is anticipated to pick up toward the end of summer. The lower margin Paid Network (SubAffiliation) continues to face headwinds, consistent with Q2 and previous quarters while the organic Network is performing as expected. CEO COMMENT In Q2, we continued to make progress on both our platform-first strategy and efforts to streamline our organization. While revenues declined year-on-year, this was primarily driven by two specific areas: the Casumba assets and the Paid Publisher segment within SubAffiliation, which together accounted for a vast majority of the drop combined with the divested US Advisory business. Overall market conditions for Casumba continued to be challenging during the quarter, and recent structural changes in Google's advertising ecosystem, as highlighted in Q1, have further increased the difficulty of scaling paid traffic across the industry. Our core strategy however is delivering results, driven by our entrepreneurial partnership model, Affiliation Marketing, excluding Casumba, grew 5% quarter-over-quarter. SubAffiliation, excluding Paid, remained stable, with growing momentum in exclusive commercial operator agreements and a promising pipeline of revenue-generating Organic Publishers. Furthermore, we successfully divested our non-core US Tipster and Subscription assets, which is expected to result in improved profitability going forward. Financial OverviewRaketech recorded revenues of EUR 7.8 million in Q2 2025 (EUR 17.0 million in Q2 2024, which included EUR 0.8 million from the divested advisory business). EBITDA amounted to EUR 2.0 million (EUR 4.4 million), while Adjusted EBITDA amounted to EUR 2.1 million (EUR 4.4 million), including a EUR 0.5 million operational loss in our divested US Tipster assets. Adjusted EBITDA excluding US tipster assets was EUR 2.6 million in the quarter. Business Area Updates Affiliation MarketingDuring the second quarter of 2025, our core Affiliation Marketing portfolio, excluding the underperforming Casumba assets, demonstrated continued strength, delivering 5% revenue growth quarter-over-quarter. A key driver of this performance is our entrepreneurial partnership model, which now accounts for approximately 63% of revenues in this business area. The model allows Raketech to retain full ownership of assets while leveraging its centralized strengths in commercial agreements, finance, reporting, data, and technology. Our partners contribute deep domain expertise in areas such as SEO, content, and product development, creating a highly scalable and operationally efficient structure. As part of our ongoing efforts to diversify our sources of revenue beyond SEO, we have signed a new commercial agreement with a large Nordic TV and streaming operator to provide them with valuable traffic from our TV sport guides. This strengthens our position within the Affiliation Marketing business area and broadens our distribution network. Casumba performance was impacted by worsened market conditions. These headwinds have affected the entire affiliate industry. As previously announced, we extended the earn-out agreement and continue working closely with the founders on operational improvements. Affiliation Marketing remains a core component of our platform, and the quarter's results highlight the strength and consistency of our partnership-driven model. SubAffiliation - Organic Publisher Network and Paid Publisher NetworkOur Organic Network performed in line with the previous quarter, supported by our broad and robust pipeline of publishers. The number of revenue-generating publishers is in line with the previous quarter. We have strengthened our exclusive commercial operator agreements in the US, one of our target markets and a key focus of our SubAffiliation offering. The US business grew strongly during the quarter, reflecting our strategic emphasis on exclusive, high-quality partnerships in key markets. In contrast, the Paid Publisher Network experienced a quarter-over-quarter decline, primarily due to structural changes in Google's ad ecosystem. This is a broad industry challenge, and we are reviewing the role of Paid within our model. In response, we have continued to focus on organic network publishers and exclusive commercial operator agreements, supporting both operators and publishers who want to consolidate their commercial operations through Raketech. US Tipster & SubscriptionThe divestment of our US tipster assets was a key strategic milestone this quarter, allowing us to further sharpen our focus on our core skills. The transaction delivered a realized net gain of EUR 200k, offset by an operating loss of EUR 500k. Importantly, this strategic exit eliminates ongoing operational losses and cost exposure tied to this business area as of July 1st. This will have a positive impact on EBITDA and overall cash flow going forward. Conclusion & Next StepsFocus remains on delivering on AffiliationCloud and our platform-first strategy, anchored in Affiliation and SubAffiliation. We will continue to explore new entrepreneurial partnerships in key markets and additional assets. By deepening our exclusive commercial operator agreements, diversifying beyond traditional SEO channels, and expanding our publisher network, we are well-positioned to drive efficiency, reach, and long-term value. Johan Svensson, CEO LINK TO REPORT The full Interim Report is available on REPORT PRESENTATION CEO Johan Svensson and CFO Måns Svalborn will present the report in a conference call on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 09:00 CEST. The presentation can be followed via both a conference call and an online audio cast, including a Q&A session open to all listeners at the end of the presentation. If you wish to participate via webcast, please use the link below. Via the webcast you are able to ask written questions. If you wish to participate via teleconference, please register on the link below. After registration, you will be provided with phone numbers and a conference ID to access the conference. You can ask questions verbally via teleconference. For more information, please contact: investor@ About Raketech Group Raketech is a leading online affiliate and content marketing company, with expertise in delivering comparison services for sports and gaming, online guides, communities, and social media products. Raketech guides sports and gaming enthusiasts to the best possible services, while also delivering high-quality traffic and leads to its partners. Raketech grows both organically and via acquisitions and operates its business in accordance with a clear framework for responsible affiliate marketing services. The company's shares are listed in Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market with ticker RAKE. DNB Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ) is the company's Certified Adviser. For more information, visit This information is information that Raketech is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 2025-07-23 08:00 CEST. Attachments Q2 2025 Stable Core, Strategic Divestment, And Strengthened SubAffiliation Pipeline SOURCE: Raketech View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Russell Crowe Returns to Malta, Site of ‘Gladiator' Filming, and Recalls Intensity of Ridley Scott Epic: 'It Wasn't an Easy Production'
There's a moment in Ridley Scott's Gladiator when Russell Crowe's enslaved Roman general Maximus, fresh from eviscerating five foes in short order, throws his arms in the air and asks a stunned arena, 'Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained?' It would not be that far from fiction to picture the organizers of Sunday night's Golden Bee Awards repeating the same question after the final spectacle had been presented to close out a nearly three-hour ceremony held inside Gzira's Fort Manoel in Malta. Presented by the Mediterrane Film Festival and hosted by David Walliams, the outdoor show finished shy of midnight and by that point had featured around a dozen musical numbers (complete with props, backup dancers and custom backdrops), a slew of Hollywood presenters (Anna Camp, Chris Perfetti, Jared Harris, Karen Pittman and Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier), three fireworks displays and even Maximus himself. More from The Hollywood Reporter Why Everyone Is Talking About Malta Right Now Barbie Ferreira to Receive Rising Star Award at Malta's Mediterrane Film Festival 'Pusherman' Director Legs McNeil Reveals the Real Story of 'American Gangster' Frank Lucas Crowe made a triumphant (and surprise) return to Malta to accept a film legend award to mark the 25th anniversary of Gladiator. The film, like its recent sequel, was shot on the islands not far from the historic 18th century fort that hosted the awards and has long been a source of local pride. 'You want to know what I love about Malta? Everything,' Crowe declared, calling the island nation a 'paradise,' one that he has regularly visited over the years on vacation. To prove his point, he said he arrived with his two sons, walked the streets of the capital city of Valletta at sunset, acquired his favorite lasagna and admired his favorite jewelry store Mario Zampa. 'I love coming to Malta and I'm grateful for your welcome every time I'm here.' Crowe accepted his trophy from Johann Grech, Malta film commissioner and CEO of Malta Film Studios. He praised Grech for his commitment and passion for Malta and his 'understanding of the opportunity that Malta has at the center of the Mediterranean film industry.' With that, Crowe urged the local government to further fuel a commitment to the arts and to support education for young Maltese people 'who want to explore film as a career in whatever capacity, because it truly takes a village to make a movie.' Crowe then recounted coming to the country 26 years ago to star in the epic Gladiator. 'You could say, in a funny way, I became a man in Malta,' he said. 'Whatever films I'd done before then, nothing had the majesty, ambition, budget and ultimately reach of Gladiator. I say 'became a man' because it wasn't an easy production. I had to fight every day for the integrity of the character I was playing, just like the journey of the character himself in a movie. Sometimes you get lucky enough to make something that resonates with people.' It's still resonating. Crowe detailed an encounter he had with a man a week ago while visiting Monterosso in Italy's Cinque Terre. 'I was leaving a restaurant at nighttime. As I came out in the street, this young man, he saw me, he recognized me, and he asked me for a photo,' Crowe recalled. 'I shook his hand and he started to cry. His friends told me later that he's the head lifeguard at the local beach — he's got muscles on muscles and lots of responsibility and authority — and they'd never seen him like that.' Crowe said the 'crying got more intense' and the man couldn't wipe the tears from his eyes, so he ended up hugging him. 'When he got himself together, he said, 'You don't understand. When I was 8 years old, my mother sat me in front of TV and put on a video cassette of Gladiator. She told me that if you are ever wondering what type of man your mother expects you to be, it's this type of man — the honor, the integrity, the faith, this type of man.' A man made in Malta.' The anecdote drew cheers and applause from the crowd, estimated at close to 2,000 guests. Prior to Crowe's remarks, Grech delivered a lengthy address that resonated much like a campaign speech. He paid particular attention to the milestone anniversary — 2025 marks 100 years of filming in Malta — while also noting the strides that have been made under his administration. Malta has long been a magnet for Hollywood, as it has welcomed such films as Munich, Troy, Jurassic World Rebirth, Captain Phillips, World War Z, Murder on the Orient Express, Assassin's Creed, By the Sea, The Da Vinci Code, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Last Breath and dozens of others. Grech called out the skeptics that doubted Malta's place as an international hub for filmmaking and said that they've come from 'yes we can' to 'yes we have' over the past nearly eight years (thanks in large part to a lucrative 40 percent tax rebate). 'The film industry is bigger than it's ever been,' Grech said. 'The next 100 years will be better than the first. Let us never stop believing because we are Malta. We are film.' The last sentence repeated the theme of this year's Mediterrane Film Festival, established on the islands of Malta in 2023 as a showcase for films from the area and beyond. This year's edition wrapped Sunday after running from June 21-29, and featured 55 films from more than 20 countries. Sunday night's Golden Bee Awards saw the official festival prizes doled out as chosen by the juries in addition to one people's choice award. Amel Guellaty's Where the Wind Comes From picked up steam by claiming two awards including best feature film and best performance for Eya Bellagha's starring turn in the drama that follows rebellious 19-year-old Alyssa (Bellagha) and shy 23-year-old Mehdi (Slim Baccar), who dream of escaping their reality. Upon discovering a contest offering a chance to flee, they set out on a road trip to southern Tunisia. Julio Medem's 8 also picked up two prizes including best screenwriting for its writer-director Medem as well as a jury's choice award. The film covers 90 years and follows the eight encounters between a man, Octavio (Javier Rey), and a woman, Adela (Ana Rujas), that happen to mirror pivotal moments in Spain's history. The Mare Nostrum award went to Miyazaki: Spirit of Nature, which was 'recognized for its lyrical exploration of nature and spirit,' per the jury, while the people's choice award went to Polly Steele's Four Letters of Love. Serving the Mediterrane Film Festival jury this year were Catherine Hardwicke, Elli Griff, Rick Carter, Charlese Antoinette, James Price, Mario Philip Azzopardi and Joseph Vassallo. A special Mare Nostrum jury, composed of Grainne Humphreys, Ania Trzebiatowska and Melisa Sözen, selected from a roster of films curated around themes of climate and environmentalism. Crowe was far from the only notable name honored Sunday. Fellow Oscar winner Jeremy Thomas, a veteran producer who landed gold for Bernardo Bertolucci's best picture winner The Last Emperor from 1988, was presented with a lifetime achievement award, while veteran location manager Pierre Agius snagged a career achievement honor. As previously announced, Euphoria breakout Barbie Ferreira touched down in Malta to pick up a rising star award for her screen accomplishments. The black-tie gala also hosted bold-faced names like Jon Watts, Edmund Donovan, Joaquim de Almeida, Bailey Bass and Kerry Ingram. See below for scenes from inside Sunday's celebration. Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts
