Media and Marketing Show 2006 to double in size

The exhibition, organised by The Domus Group, will be double the size of last year and will be held from 27 to 29 November in Halls 1-3 of the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.

In addition to the expanded exhibition, ITP/Campaign will be organising the adjacent Campaign Conference featuring debates and key note speakers from across the region and the rest of the world.

Also coinciding with the Show will be the Campaign Middle East Awards 2006, which recognises the talent of the region's marketing and media industry.

The M+M Show 2006 is expected to attract in excess of 10,000 visitors, more than 10 per cent up on the nearly 9,000 visitors from 47 countries who attended last year. Exit interviews conducted by IPSOS at the 2005 Show revealed that 60 per cent were senior managers with specific decision making responsibility for marketing and advertising activities. The principal industries represented were advertising agencies, marketing consultancies, broadcasting, publishing, event management, IT and retail distribution.

Dr Amina Al Rustamani, Executive Director, Media, Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone, said: "There was a time when countries in the Middle East used to look to the West for the best creative talent. Storyboards for commercials were scripted in Madison Avenue; company logos were designed in London. But increasingly Dubai has emerged as the region's centre of communications talent. Dubai Media City is happy to lend its support once again to the Media and Marketing Show. The event offers the media industry invaluable opportunities to showcase themselves, explore new partnerships and expand their business."

ITP CEO Walid Akawi said: "Campaign Middle East is delighted to be the official media partner for the show and we are honoured to be working alongside Dubai Media City on this important event. We look forward to organising and delivering a world class conference during the event. Building on the success of our first Campaign Middle East Awards, we also plan to organise another significant Awards event to honour the outstanding work produced by media, marketing and PR companies in this fast-growing region. We are currently consulting the industry on the categories and criteria to be included."

David Domoney, managing director of The Domus Group, said: "The Media and Marketing Show provides a platform for its various sectors to come together and explore the use of new techniques and marketing methods and tap new business opportunities. 75 per cent of last year's exhibitors have already confirmed that they will be taking part this year as well. We are anticipating a marked increase in the number of overseas companies keen to establish ties with their counterparts and customers in the region."

Domoney said that the 2006 Show will feature eight industry sectors: Advertising, Broadcasting, Entertainment, Events, Marketing, New Media, Outdoor Advertising, Publishing and their related media and marketing areas of expertise.

"As last year demonstrated, the Show attracts a host of serious visitors, including government officials responsible for public marketing and information campaigns and decision-makers from wide variety of industries," added Abdulla Abulhoul, partner and director of The Domus Group and managing director of Mediac Communications and Exhibitions. "The show allows such visitors to screen, understand and question exhibitors and consult with industry professionals and specialists in order to firm up their media spending plans."

The Media and Marketing Show is the only international event dedicated to supporting the rapid expansion of media and marketing opportunities in the Middle East. Overall advertising spend in the Middle East increased by an estimated 17 per cent in 2005 to US$5.4 billion. Advertising spend in the UAE was up 43 per cent on 2004 to US$904 million while Saudi increased 27 per cent to US$891 million. Oman was up 44%, Jordan 42%, Egypt 28% and Qatar 28%.

Boosted by higher oil prices economies are booming, driven by real estate, automotive, banking, telecommunications, retail and luxury products.