According to data from the Pan Arab Research Centre, the UAE has regained its status as the region's largest advertising market in 2011, as the UAE saw $1.44 billion in ad spending this year. Saudi Arabia came second in the region, with a 9% gain in ad spend. "Only Saudi Arabia and the UAE out of the monitored markets in the region posted growth," said M. Shaharyar Umar at the Pan Arab Research Centre. Meanwhile, Egypt's ad spending plummet by nearly 40% as the country experienced political turmoil.

Despite the regional unrest and the economic downturn in the US, Ramadan witnessed an increase in advertising expenditures compared to previous months this year, but remains lower than last year.

A Pan Arab Research Centre study reports a notable decline in the region's advertising market except for Saudi Arabia and Lebanon where spending has increased, with a record of 8% and 3% respectively. 

The report focuses on monthly ad spend analysis for first half (H1) of 2011, analysis by media type, spending by the top brands and more. Further detailed analysis, with charts and tables, is available for download (27-page document). Download H1 2011 Ad spend Analysis Report.

According to The National, telecoms operator du plans to double the amount of advertising it places on digital media over the next two years. Osman Sultan, the chief executive of du, says that the company is aiming to devote more than 14 per cent of its advertising budget to online media by 2013.

Advertisers tune into new option with lower rates compared to other media. According to data from the Pan Arab Research Centre (Parc), ad spend on radio nearly doubled during the first three months of the year compared with the tally for the same period last year.

According to a recent poll of key executives conducted by The National, advertising spending in the MENA region is forecasted to witness a decline of around 3.7 per cent due to the impact of the recent political unrest in the region, representing a decline in revenues of about $150m. A freeze in the key media market of Egypt will be a major factor behind the expected drop in the region's $4 billion advertising industry.