MBC's new chief says Arab Spring tough for advertising

Regional advertising market has been hit by the Arab Spring, says new chief executive of MBC.

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The Arab Spring has spelled a tough year for the regional advertising market, says the new chief executive of MBC.

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Regional unrest has negatively impacted the regional advertising market, said Sam Barnett, who was recently promoted to chief executive of the region's largest broadcaster.

"Clearly the events earlier in the year - and ongoing - have been tough for advertisers, and for businesses across the region," said Mr Barnett. "Advertising often suffers most when there's a short-term dip in confidence."

It was announced on Sunday that Mr Barnett, who has worked at MBC for nine years, had been promoted to the role of chief executive.

Mr Barnett said that MBC was performing "well" given the wider trends in the market.

"Some months have been better than last year; some months have been worse," he said of MBC's advertising revenues.

"We're seeing towards the back end of the year, things are picking up. We're now waiting to gauge what the impact of the European crisis will be, particularly on the multinationals. But we're positive."

bflanagan@thenational.ae

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