Smartphone market surges in Middle East

InMobi, the world’s largest independent mobile ad network, has released its updated network research report closing the year with a snapshot of mobile advertising trends in the Middle East between July 2010 and October 2010.  A full download of the data and analysis is available at www.inmobi.com/research.

James Lamberti, VP of Global Research & Marketing at InMobi commented: “Middle East mobile ad growth continues to pace with the global insurgence of mobile.  With the current growth trends, this market will break the 1 billion monthly impression level in just a few months.  The region represents a very interesting ecosystem with a young, mobile dedicated population driving mobile media consumption and an emerging developer community eyeing globalization.”

Key findings include:
•   Mobile ad impressions grew 51% in just 90 days to 752 million monthly impressions in the region
•   Smartphone affinity in the region is apparent as smartphones represent 40% of total impressions, 45% higher than the global average.
•   Nokia devices still represent 2 of every 3 impressions in the Middle Eastern mobile market
•   Driven by InMobi’s World Developer Fund promotion and key countries where the iPhone is readily available, the Apple iPhone gains +18.0 share points in just 90 days.

Rob Jonas, VP, Managing Director Europe & Middle East for InMobi commented: “The Middle East market varies widely by country, but overall represents an interesting technology-forward region. With over 750 million monthly impressions available, there is significant opportunity for advertisers to exploit the value of mobile advertising as a must-buy compliment to offline media plans.  Marketers can now reach consumers at scale with an engaging brand experience in this new mobile channel.”

InMobi provides advertisers and publishers a display mobile advertising platform reaching millions of Middle Eastern consumers through over 750 million mobile ad impressions monthly. As a leading ad network in the Middle East, InMobi is committed to providing the mobile industry a data-driven, distinctly Middle Eastern consumer perspective on the state of mobile advertising in the region. InMobi will continue to release network data and analysis periodically at www.InMobi.com/research to help educate the market from our independent market position.