Commercial Radio Australia reveals ad revenue up 19.3% in July

Commercial radio ad revenue remained in positive territory in the month of July despite the impact of lockdowns, with revenue up 19.3% compared to July 2020, according to data released by industry body Commercial Radio Australia.

Ad revenue for the five major Australian capital city markets totalled $48.571 million in July compared to $40.724 million a year ago.

“The extension of lockdowns has taken some momentum out of the recovery but it’s encouraging to see growth for radio being sustained at a double digit level,” said CRA chief executive officer Joan Warner (pictured).

The figures include agency and direct ad revenue and were compiled by media data analytics company Milton Data, which took over responsibility for industry revenue reporting from Deloitte from 1 July 2021.

Melbourne stations reported a 30% year on year increase in ad revenue to $16.408 million in the month of July, while Sydney was 11.3% higher at $13.874 million.  Brisbane was up 21.6% to $7.654 million, Perth rose 18.4% to $6.296 million and Adelaide increased 8.2% to $4.339 million.

Metropolitan radio ad revenue had rebounded by 72.6% year on year in the month of May and by 40.9% in June prior to the most recent COVID outbreaks.

The industry launched the “We’re All Ears” marketing campaign on July 9 aimed at driving growth in the SME market.

The campaign informs small business owners of the role radio can play in driving customers into store and online.

The “We’re All Ears” campaign, developed by Eardrum, consists of two creative spots that will run across commercial radio stations nationally for eight weeks.

Eardrum creative director Ralph van Djik said: “Each ad features a cross section of listeners encouraging business owners to tell them what they’ve got on offer.  This approach allows SMEs to hear the customers’ perspective, reminding them that people have money to spend. It also reinforces that Australians find radio ads useful.”