NettResults Insight · 23 July 2009

Middle East press releases and their use

A NettResults perspective for technology leaders operating across the Middle East.

The latest research about the media and PR in the Middle East by Media Source makes interesting reading.

The bad or good news – depending on your point of view - is that there are more press releases filling journalists’ inboxes than two years ago. The Arabic and English language media are more closely aligned than previously, particularly in the 0 – 20 and 21 – 40 categories but there is growth across the 41 + categories. This is not really surprising given the enormous growth we’ve seen in the number of new agencies in the region through 2007 and 2008.

Interesting reading for the PR industry – there may be more releases around but more of them are being used. Whereas ‘none’ or ‘less than 10 percent’ stood at 55 percent across all respondents in 2007, this figure has dropped by 11 points to stand at 44 percent. Use of releases has increased markedly among the Arabic language press with 41 percent of them claiming to use a quarter or more of all the releases they receive. Virtually every agency resists the tag ‘press release factory’ but should they, in fact, play up their skill in generating this humble communication tool?

Turn insight into action

Want to discuss what this means for your business?

Talk directly with a senior NettResults adviser about your Middle East communications challenge.

Contact NettResults

Continue reading

Related NettResults insights

View all Insights

UAE Technology PR vs Global Technology PR: Where the Strategy Should Differ

The key differences between global technology PR and UAE technology PR, from media relevance and executive visibility to regional proof and market context.

Read this insight

How AI Search Is Changing Technology Brand Discovery in the GCC

How generative AI and AI-powered search are changing technology brand discovery in the GCC, and what PR teams should do differently.

Read this insight

Why Technology Buyers Trust Independent Media More Than Brand Claims

Why independent media coverage can strengthen credibility for technology brands, and how earned visibility supports buyer trust in the GCC.

Read this insight

From insight to action

Need the regional view applied to your business?

Talk to a senior NettResults consultant about the communications challenge behind the question.

Start a conversation