Virgin Radio tops UAE survey thanks to Aussie help

Alex Agishev, known to some in Australia as Alex Dean, had been working at Best FM in Russia for several years and recently moved to Dubai as Content Director at the Arabian Radio Network’s Virgin Radio station.
 
Alex is the son of Russian parents and grew up in a Russian speaking household in Australia.

radioinfo caught up with him at RadioDays Vienna last week where he told us about the increasing number of Australians working for ARN UAE, and the innovations taking place at the network.
 
A new survey system began in the United Arab Emirates this year, run by Nielsen. After some years with another provider, the country’s radio industry moved to Nielsen, which carried out market trials last year and this year released its first survey results.
 
The market will now be surveyed with continuous surveys, and results released four times per year. The next set of results for the United Arab Emirates will be released at the end of April.
 
In the first Nielsen ratings results, Virgin Radio Dubai was the number one station with 1.4 million listeners, across all languages.
 
In Dubai, Virgin had the top shows in all day parts.
 
Overall the Arabian Radio Network has 4.3 million listeners nationally to its 9 stations, which broadcast in 6 languages: English, Hindi, Farsi (Persian), Arabic,  Mullalayan (an Indian dialect) and Philippino.
 
A big part of Agushev’ job is working on the largest music festival in the Middle East, the Virgin Radio RedFest DXB, running over 2 days.
 
Alex named a handful of Australians working at ARN UAE, including COO Greg Worthington, Maz Hakim, Kris Fade and others.
 
Former Grant Broadcasters Content Director Allan Cameron  has also just moved to Dubai to join the network.
 
The station is set to relocate to a brand new facility in coming months as it continues to expand its influence in the market.
 
Alex Agishev explains more to radioinfo’s Steve Ahern at RadioDays.

 

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