DEAD POET LTD

Executive Summary

Dead Poet Ltd operates as a niche small player in the UK sound recording and music publishing sector, currently facing financial strain with a net liability position and reduced liquidity. Sector trends such as digital streaming dominance and royalty payment volatility likely impact its cash flow and profitability. Compared to typical small publishers with stable equity and capital for catalog investment, Dead Poet Ltd’s financials reflect operational challenges and dependency on related party support, limiting its competitive positioning in a rapidly evolving market.

DEAD POET LTD - Analysis Report

Company Number: 13017415

Analysis Date: 2025-07-20 13:02 UTC

1. Industry Classification
   Dead Poet Ltd operates under SIC code 59200, which covers "Sound recording and music publishing activities." This sector encompasses businesses involved in the production, distribution, and licensing of recorded music and music publishing rights. Key industry characteristics include high reliance on intellectual property, fluctuating revenue streams tied to artist success and market trends, and increasing digital distribution impacting traditional revenue models.

2. Relative Performance
   Dead Poet Ltd is a micro or small private limited company given its turnover and asset size (exemption from audit under small companies regime). The latest financials for the year ended 30 November 2023 show a net liability position with shareholders’ funds of -£9,851, a reversal from a positive net asset position of £21,197 in 2022. Current assets have decreased significantly (mainly cash down from £40,335 to £10,496), while current liabilities remain high (£23,225). This negative working capital and net asset position contrast with typical small music publishing companies that maintain positive equity and liquidity to fund ongoing operations and rights acquisitions. The company’s tangible fixed assets increased modestly but remain low (£2,878), indicating limited capital investment in property or equipment, consistent with sector norms where value is mostly intangible.

3. Sector Trends Impact
   The music publishing and sound recording sector is undergoing rapid transformation due to streaming proliferation, shifting revenue from physical formats to digital platforms, and changing royalty collection mechanisms. Smaller entities like Dead Poet Ltd face pressures from dominant streaming services and the consolidation of rights management organizations. The sector also sees volatility in cash flow due to timing of royalty payments and licensing deals. The company’s financial deterioration may reflect these market pressures or challenges in securing consistent licensing income. Additionally, the pandemic recovery phase has altered live music and promotional opportunities, indirectly affecting music publishing earnings.

4. Competitive Positioning
   Dead Poet Ltd appears to be a niche player in the sound recording and music publishing sector, likely focused on a small portfolio or artist roster given its single director and minimal staff count. Its financial trajectory indicates operational challenges, with increasing liabilities and negative equity suggesting funding constraints or delayed revenue realization. Compared to typical small publishers who maintain positive net assets to invest in catalog rights and marketing, Dead Poet Ltd’s position is weaker. However, the company’s low overhead and directorship by a musician may provide creative control advantages. The intercompany transactions with Green Marsh Ltd hint at a related party ecosystem, which might support operational synergy but also show reliance on internal financing (noted director loans of £19,525). Without external capital or diversified revenue streams, competitive resilience is limited.