JEDDAH: Advertising companies and media houses may score big from the upcoming municipal council elections because some candidates are expected to run huge campaigns across all platforms, say experts.

Enas Hashani, the owner of an advertising agency and member of the advisory board at the School of Advertising in Jeddah, said the municipal elections are a golden opportunity for the advertising market in Saudi Arabia.

This is because candidates are aware of the importance of using popular channels to carry their messages. The biggest beneficiaries would be daily newspapers and other publications, she said.

Fawaz Al-Amery, the director of an advertising office in Dammam, said that the election could boost the advertising sector if agencies are able to properly manage and provide attractive offers to candidates.

However, he said it was difficult to determine how much would be spent because the number of candidates has not yet been determined, and cost and expenditure levels tend to vary between regions.

He said a large proportion of election campaign costs would likely be on the rental of tents, restaurants and other facilities, and printing of brochures and other material.

In addition, other experts believe that some candidates may not advertise at all, and would rather rely on getting their messages across by having personal contact with voters.

Candidates can campaign for a 12-day period, starting from Nov. 29 to Dec. 10. The elections will be held between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Dec. 12 with the results announced the following day.

The whole election process, including campaigning by candidates, takes place over three months. Voters can register between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. from Aug. 22 to Sept. 14. Candidates can do so from Aug. 30 to Sept. 17.

Meanwhile, the advertising industry is also gearing up for Ramadan, which usually sees spending on advertising and marketing activities rise by up to 100 percent.