Emirates Business 24/7 reports that prices for outdoor advertising sites in the UAE have shot up by between 30 and 50 per cent so far this year; compared with increases from 15 to 25 per cent during the whole of 2007.

The outdoor segment accounts for between five and eight per cent of the overall advertising market in Dubai. This year's rises have come as clients compete aggressively for prime locations.

Experts agree that one major reason for the price rises is the increased fees charged for outdoor advertising space by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Municipality.

Formerly space cost Dh100 per square metre, so a standard 20 metre by eight metre scaffolding would cost Dh16,000, aside from the landowner's leasing fees. But such a site now costs Dh800,000 while the price of a unipole is Dh312,000.

Bridge banner sites have risen the most above 50 per cent and in some cases have almost doubled while lamppost posters and muppis have gone up by a more modest 10 to 15 per cent. Industry sources say this gap is due to the fact that not all muppis and lampposts are being offered on a tender basis by the RTA yet.

Dubai Municipality controls only licensing and leasing of rooftop advertising and scaffolds but the RTA has taken over the rest of the outdoor advertising as it offers bridges, unipoles, flags and, of course, bus stations.

The RTA has identified 12 categories for locations and has placed minimum bid prices ranging from Dh12 million for the most attractive category down to Dh6m for the least appealing.

Read more.

Here's something you don't see everyday!

Group Plus, an outdoor media owner and operator across the region, has unveiled this fantastic Hummer outdoor promotion in the UAE. The campaign is entitled "Hummer Special Operation".

According to Group Plus, "The outdoor aims at delivering the message 'Taking you to what lies beyond the borders of your imagination' through lifting a Hummer and placing it right smack in the middle of a gigantic wall sign in Dubai."

Impressive, without a doubt.