Advertising spend in Bahrain during Ramadan is expected to top $12 million, a top industry official has said.
According to International Advertising Association Bahrain Chapter chairman and International Advertising Association (IAA) Worldwide board member Khamis Al Muqla, the spend for the full year is not expected to be higher than last year’s level of around $100 million, reported the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.
“Clearly we have been seeing a reluctance on the part of companies to spend on advertising by the economic crisis but brands have to stay and advertising is a long-term investment.
“The advertising industry has to get creative for its clients, not just in design, but in showing them how it can add value. The industry has to start thinking out of the box and encourage clients to invest in sales.
“In Bahrain we should be looking at an annual spend of around $150 million to drive the economy forward,” he said.
Al Muqla said this during a luncheon meet for members and invited guests.
Minister of State for Information Affairs and the government’s official spokeswoman Sameera Rajab was the chief patron of the event.
A summary report of the activities and developments in the advertising industry and marketing communications domestically and regional markets was presented as was a report on participation at the 43rd IAA conference held in Beijing in May.
