Khaleej Times reports that according to the Pan Arab Research Centre (PARC), advertising expenditure by Saudi Arabian companies has increased during the first half of 2010, compared with the same period in 2009. Advertising spend has recorded a SR0.184 billion increase worth of advertisement in television, newspapers, and billboards.

Khaleej Times reports that according to the Pan Arab Research Centre (PARC), advertising expenditure grew 19.66 percent from January to June. Although advertising spend in the GCC increased by 20 percent, there has been a 4 percent drop in UAE spending. Advertising activity figures indicated steadiness and recovery, and spending is expected to exceed $10 billion by the end of 2010 and for the first time. 

According to IPSOS, figures have shown that advertising expenditures in the Middle East (GCC, Levant, Egypt) have reached a total of $6.5 billion for the first half of 2010. Egypt accounted for 15 per cent of total ad spend, followed by Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and the UAE, with 10 per cent, 8 per cent and 7 per cent respectively. These figures for the first half of 2010 are around half of the total advertising expenditure for 2009 (which was $12 billion), which indicates that ad spend is on course to remain the same or increase.

According to PARC’s recent ad spend analysis for the first quarter of 2010, the region’s spending on Pan Arab Media has reached multi markets that posted a 31 per cent growth. Egypt emerged as top spending market in the region overtaking the UAE as ad spending surged by 45 per cent. The UAE saw a 5 per cent decline in its expenditure over the last quarter. All other markets in the region saw a synchronized gain in ad spending over the previous quarter.

Ipsos MENA has conducted a media and advertising research study which involved advertising and media planning agencies in the region. The study has revealed a significant drop in UAE’s advertising expenditure in 2009, falling from $2,209 million in 2008 to $1,503 million in 2009. However, the UAE has topped the newspaper share charts with 32.7%, pushing Saudi Arabia to second place and Kuwait to the third. 

The media monitoring data for 2008 produced by Pan Arab Research Center (PARC) is now available for download on mediaME, at the Media & Marketing Research Section. Middle East advertising expenditure shows a spike of 25%, reaching almost $10 billion. $4.3 billion (around 43%) is generated by T.V., which is not surprising, leaving the remaining 57% to Print, Radio, Outdoor, and Cinema.

Unprecedented economic problems have led Zenith Optimedia to predict a 6.9% decline in global ad expenditure in 2009. Lack of quadrennial events (Olympics, Elections ... etc) creates tough year-on-year comparisons for markets like the US. Poor corporate confidence means very limited visibility in the market. Consumers are putting off big purchases and shifting consumption from premium to value products, opening opportunities for advertisers with value to offer.

The Khaleej Times reports that the advertising industry in the the Middle East will see its growth shifting from "the very fast to fast" mode in the coming months as the global financial melt-down starts impacting the regional economies, industry leaders said.

Emirates Business 24/7 reports that Citiscape 2008, the international real estate show held in Dubai this week, is expected to boost the ad spend for the fourth quarter of 2008.