RAB Sez 2Q 2013 Radio Revenue Flat

Erica Farber

Radio's Second Quarter 2013 revenue registered "no change" from 2012, at $4.66B. First-Half comps were similarly flat, at $8.44B. Digital provided a bright note, up 16% for the Quarter and 13% for the Half. Network was down 4% for both periods.

"First-Half activity yielded a mixed-bag of results," stated Erica Farber, President & CEO of the RAB. "While the Second Quarter was flat, activity was gaining as the months progressed, an encouraging sign for growth in the latter half of 2013.”

 When we analyze results for the year thus far," Farber continued, "we see a clear commitment to advertising and Radio on the part of the most successful companies within their respective categories."

"Not only does this affirm the impact of maintaining an advertising presence through all economic climates, it underscores the fact that these marketers know the intrinsic value that Radio - both on-air and digital - brings to their brands."

The Communications/Cellular category increased Spot spending by over ¼ versus Q2 '12, solidifying their hold on the top rank for the quarter and for the year thus far. An overview of Spot activity among the categories that contribute the most to Radio's bottom line indicate increased spending by advertisers at the mid-tier level.