AME Info records unprecedented growth

In October, AME Info had 651,193 unique users, up from 236,238 - a 175 percent increase.

The number of page impressions rose by 79 percent, from 2,349,226 to 4,209,634.

Executives said that the figures far exceeded expectations: "We expected the number of users to double, rather than nearly treble," said Klaus Lovgreen, CEO of AME Info. "This rate of growth is likely to be an exception rather than the rule."

Lovgreen attributed the dramatic rise to a combination of generic growth and an enhanced site.

"We've certainly benefited from the surge in internet usage across the region and further afield in countries such as India, where we have just completed our first year of operations. But the high figures are also due to our offering products and services designed specifically with the needs of the region's users in mind," explained Lovgreen.

For example, a new podcasting service enables the site's users to download all AME Info's audio content onto an MP3 player and listen offline. This is ideal in those countries in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, where internet penetration is much lower and people tend to log on at an internet café rather than at home.

AME Info has also launched a pdf service, where users can download material in the convenient, transferable e-format and review offline at their leisure.

The e-audit is the company's second, following its inaugural audit, also by ABC Electronic, in May.

"We were the first Middle East website to carry out an audit and this has proved to be a sound business decision," continued Lovgreen.

"An audit brings much needed transparency to the market and makes the internet an effective and accountable marketing communications tool."

Lovgreen believes that the audit has helped AME Info establish credibility and secure campaigns in important markets outside the region, such as the UK and US - two countries in which the company hopes to establish a presence next year.

Finally, Richard Foan, Managing Director at ABC ELECTRONIC comments:

"AME Info is demonstrating a clear commitment to best practice by becoming the first ever site in the Middle East to achieve independent certification of its site traffic to industry agreed standards."

"By committing to ABC ELECTRONIC verification, AME Info is setting a positive example to other sites in the market that third party audited data is key in building a robust currency for the buying and selling of online media space."

"AME Info should be commended for being the first site to evoke this trust with its advertisers and stakeholders," Foan concludes.
AME Info is due to carry out its next audit in March 2006.