M&C Saatchi sees record revenues on UK sales

Cristiano Ronaldo poses in front of an advert of him wearing his new range of underpants (GETTY IMAGES)

M&C Saatchi has reported record annual revenue and operating profit, fuelled by a 13 per cent jump in UK sales.

Chief executive David Kershaw was upbeat about 2014, saying operating profit should match last year’s growth rate. Recent account wins include a marketing deal for Cristiano Ronaldo’s underwear line.

Kershaw hailed Chancellor George Osborne’s Budget, saying: “It reaffirms people’s feeling that the world is getting better. It gives a little more hope the socialists won’t get back in and screw it all up again.”

M&C Saatchi did not produce the Tories’ “Bingo!” ad, which celebrates Budget cuts in bingo and beer duty but has gone down badly on social media.

Pre-tax profit fell 13 per cent to £8.6 million as the future cost of share options for staff rose, after its shares leapt 80 per cent.