The Arabian Radio Network (ARN), the UAE's largest group of radio stations, is expecting to buck local and global advertising spending trends this year with stronger revenue growth than last year. Steve Smith, the chief operating officer at ARN, part of Dubai's Arab Media Group, said annual revenue projections were positive for all eight of the group's stations, especially Dubai 92, which launched a refreshed brand on Friday.
"Ad revenue has been really good, although right across the board Ramadan was a little bit down," Mr Smith said. "Still, we are going to be up on 2008 for the year. Radio, because of its efficiency and its immediacy, does quite well in downturns." His optimistic forecast contrasts sharply with a darkening global picture for advertising spending released on Thursday by Carat, the media communications agency.
