The company expects to increase revenue from Bt350 million this year to more than Bt440 million next year.

Kriengkrai said Aratist was established at the end of last year and had made its name as a pioneer of the "complete entertainment service", now with an 80-per-cent market share.

"This is because we have continually developed the scope of services. This year, the artist-management section of Aratist has seen total revenue of over Bt350 million, which is lower than the original projection of Bt500 million at the beginning of the year," he said.

Last year was the year of the company's debut, a restructuring of the management team, as well as the study and planning of marketing strategy, in order to be well-prepared for this year's expansion.

The company discarded many inactive products from amongst 700 artists the year before Aratist was formed.

"In 2007, we will focus on marketing every aspect and broaden our scope of responsibility to artists in other GMM network companies, including Exact, Scenario, Grammy Television, GMM Thai Hub, as well as A-Time Media," Kriengkrai added.

In addition, Aratist plans to initiate new forms of entertainment services such as sport, including football, golf, bowling and badminton.

Major plans include expansion to overseas markets, both new customers in neighbouring countries as well as countries with a high number of Thai expatriates such as in the Middle East, Taiwan, the United States and Europe.

Domestic and international expansion is expected to generate 25-per-cent growth, with more than Bt440 million of revenue for the company next year.

The target group is businesses with an intention to promote products using an artist's popularity, launch-event organisers, and general companies.

The establishment of artist-management systems by entertainment companies is a global trend.

Consequently, the company will be able to share income with artists and help them to manage their appearances, Philip Yoon, Aratist deputy managing director, said yesterday.