CRA release: The commercial radio industry has recorded the third consecutive month of growth in advertising revenue with a rise of nearly four per cent in January, according to figures released today by industry body, Commercial Radio Australia.

Figures for the month of January 2010 show growth of 3.69% in the five metropolitan markets to a total of $43.61 million, with the strongest growth in Brisbane of 7.2%, and growth in all markets except Adelaide. According to the 2010 Metropolitan Commercial Radio Advertising Revenue, as sourced by Deloitte, advertising revenue in the five metropolitan markets for the month of January 2010, the Sydney market grew by 5.64% to $13.36 million, the Melbourne market grew by 1.51% to $12.77 million, Brisbane grew by 7.2% to $7.12 million, Adelaide fell by 1.62% to $4.07 million and Perth grew by 3.96% to $6.29 million.

This follows growth in both December and November of last year, compared to the same time a year earlier. Overall for the month of December 2009, revenue generated was $54.15 million – up 4.67% on the same month in 2008 – and followed growth of over four per cent in November.

Chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner said the radio industry had performed well in January in what was a traditionally slower time for advertising.

“Growth in January is good news for the radio industry and augurs well for 2010. The market has been challenging over the past twelve months but the recent three months of consecutive growth is a very positive sign for the year ahead,” Ms Warner said.

Ms Warner said the radio industry was focused on continuing to promote the medium as a cost effective and efficient way to advertise and had recently launched the “Smart marketers use radio” campaign.

”Overall the start to 2010 is very promising for the radio industry and hopefully will continue to build as advertisers realise the great results from advertising on radio,” Ms Warner said.