Rising value of online media promotes change in Middle East advertising spending

AME Info has released its latest ABC audited figures, suggesting that the media value of the average news release displayed on its site has increased to the equivalent of USD 3,250.

October 2005's audit indicated a readership of 651,193 with categories for exposure measured in terms of search engine indexing and syndications to companies such as the Financial Times, CNN, Reuters, Bloomberg and LexisNexis.

Responding to numerous requests from advertisers and marketing agencies, AME Info's online service suggests that its success in streamlining its appearance and generating larger than expected profits in Q4 of 2005 has a lot to do with the initiatives being driven by their newly-promoted Sales Director.

"Elias joined AME Info as a Sales Manager in August 2004 and has been instrumental in increasing sales along with overhauling the company's sales proposition by identifying new opportunities to develop business, revitalising sales materials, and changing pricing structures. We are confident that he will continue to excel in his new role as he has since he joined us," says Lars. B. Nielsen, VP - Sales & Marketing, AME Info.

Boutsikaris, who grew up in South Africa and before coming across to AME Info worked in the airline industry, has also been building closer relationships with buyers by advising them on strategies for optimizing their advertising slots.

"It is always nice to be recognized for your work but I think it is also testament to the whole team at AME Info for having the will to re-invent, innovate and excel in providing the best value and service to our customers," said Boutsikaris, responding to Nielsen's comments.

PR parlance has in recent times been keen to place greater emphasis on additional value also being measured in terms of the quality, substance and credibility of the message that is received and not merely on an equivalent 'size' for advertising space. AME Info's online value appears to have all such components with the means to produce up-to-date accessibility to reach targeted audiences.

This can be seen through personalised services like the 'Watchlist' - a personal email update service allowing one to track the news you want issued by or written about any company.

Understanding that AME Info's media value is quantifiable is beneficial for advertisers wanting to understand how affective their advertising dollar is being spent, yet as a consequence of AME Info's stronger financial position from increasing sales, Boutsikaris' led initatives have allowed executives to start preparing strategies for further re-investment and growth.

"Increased sales revenue has meant higher-than-expected operating profits, which has enabled the company to bankroll its expansion plans - aimed primarily at attracting more internet-users, from global audiences and advertisers looking at the Middle East markets,"

continued Nielsen.

AME Info currently carries more than 50,000 news articles as well as full contact and activity details of more than 200,000 companies from 14 countries across the Middle East. With daily news updates categorized according to vertical markets, video and audio features, specialist commentary on the Middle East's financial markets and contributions from guest writers, AME Info offers a comprehensive analysis of business development and activities.

AME Info's information resource portal also records more than 60,000 subscribers for its personalised "My AME Info" service - providing users with the benefits of instant e-mail news updates and contact information for listed companies, and exclusive interviews with senior executives.