NUREMBERG, Germany, August 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The GfK Group recorded a successful second quarter in 2008. The Group achieved excellent sales growth in organic terms of 11.4%. Adjusted operating income rose by 13.4% to EUR 43.8 million compared with the second quarter of 2007. With a figure of 13.6%, the margin, which represents the ratio of adjusted operating income to sales, was above the same quarter in the prior year when it stood at 13.2%.

In the first six months of this year, organic sales growth amounted to 8.4%. The GfK Group therefore achieved the highest growth rate in organic terms since its IPO in 1999. All three sectors contributed to growth. Negative currency effects reduced sales growth by 4.5%. Sales reported after currency effects and acquisitions rose by 6.5% to EUR 589.7 million. Adjusted operating income increased to EUR 66.8 million after EUR 63.5 million in the first six months of 2007. At 11.3%, the margin almost matched the prior year's level of 11.5%.

The performance of the Retail and Technology sector was particularly pleasing, with the sector further expanding its strong margin in the second quarter of 2008. Despite unfavorable exchange rate developments, the Media sector achieved strong growth amounting to a high single-digit figure. At regional level, GfK recorded very strong growth in organic terms in Central and Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific and Latin America.

Overall, the GfK Group's order books are excellent. At the end of July, 80.3% of expected Group sales for 2008 were already posted or included under existing orders. This represents a further rise on the high level of the prior year of 79.4%.

Marion Eisenblätter Tel. +49-911-95-2645 marion.eisenblaetter@gfk.com

Marion Eisenblätter, Tel. +49-911-95-2645, marion.eisenblaetter@gfk.com