In July the Builders Association of Russia took serious measures aimed at developing the construction industry, solving problems on the cement market, promoting regional relations and inter-branch relations in the financial and banking sector.   

The total number of materials (both printed and electronic) related to ASR amounted to 136 in July 2006. There are the following leaders in terms of the number of references:

- federal press: ”Izvestiya” (2), “Vedomosti” (2);

- news agencies: Advis.ru (6), Finmarket (Financial market) (3), ITAR-TASS (2), RIA “Novosti” (News) (2);

- Area specific press: “Stroitelnaya gazeta” (Builders newspaper) (4)

- Internet editions: Advis.ru (8), IRN.ru (Indicators of the real estate market) (8), “Kvadratniy metr. Novosti” (Square meter. News) (5), “Bolshoy portal nedvizhimosti” (Major real estate portal) (5).

Figure 1: federal newspapers and magazines – 2, regional newspapers and magazines (electronic versions) – 8, area specific press – 7, foreign mass media – 2.

Internet editions (80) and news agencies (21) can be considered leaders in terms of the number of references. The share of regional mass media (8) is practically equal to that of the electronic versions of federal newspapers and magazines and printed versions of federal newspapers and magazines (17). July witnessed occurrence of ASR related references on TV (1) and in foreign mass media (2).

Figure 2: number of references

July witnessed an increase in the number of ASR related references amounting to 136 (123 in July) within the framework of the information field. In spite of the summer period characterized by a decrease in business activity, there was a 10.5 %increase in the number of references.

Figure 3

The most rapid development of the ASR information field took place in the middle of the second week of July (10 references), during the third week of July – up to 13 references. Figuratively speaking, the general situation in the information field can be called seismically active due to great information bursts testifying to ASR quick reaction to current events in the construction industry and on the real estate market. It is important to note that the number of references ranged daily from 1 to 7.

The following events resulted in the dramatic increase in the number of references: 

-Establishment of the ASR representative office in the Middle East   

-Establishment of the ASR representative offices in the Volga federal district and the Far East federal district of the Russian Federation

-ASR participation in the Investment forum “Karelia – 2006”

-N. Koshman signs an open letter aimed at solving the problem on the cement market

-ASR delegation visits Germany

-Signing of a cooperation agreement between ASR and Vneshtorgbank

Figure 4

More than half of the information field related to ASR is dominated by Internet editions, i.e., 59 per cent (57 per cent in June). In spite of the domination of Internet editions in the information field it is also important to note an active role played by news agencies (15 per cent), federal newspapers and magazines (13 per cent) and regional newspapers and magazines (6 per cent). It is also important to note the presence of area specific press (5 per cent) in the information field, which testifies to the interest displayed by area specific press in ASR activities.

The unchanged share of regional newspapers and magazines and ASR related references on TV and in foreign mass media played a positive role in the information field development.

Figure 5: Mass media structure. News agencies – 15 %, TV and radio – 1 %, Federal newspapers and magazines – 13 %, Regional newspapers and magazines – 6 %, Internet editions – 59 %, Area-specific press – 5 %, foreign press (electronic versions) – 1 %. 

Analyzing the dynamics of the structure of ASR references in mass media in July it is important to note that the articles related to ASR activities dominate the information field, their number amounting to 70, which increased by 9 in comparison with June.

 At the same time one can notice a decrease in the number of expanded references from 13 to 11 and an increase in the number of unexpended references from 49 to 55.

 The increase in the number of articles testifies to a greater role played by the Builders Association of Russia and the interest displayed by various mass media in cooperating with ASR.

 Figure 6: unexpanded references, expanded references, articles

 Analyzing the structure of ASR references in July it is important to note that the articles related to ASR activities dominate the information field, amounting to 52 per cent, while the share of unexpanded references amounts to 40 per cent, which is a little less, and the share of expanded references amounts to 8 per cent. This proportion testifies to the fact that mass media gave wide coverage to ASR activities and that the measures taken by ASR are prompt and of current interest.   

Figure 7: unexpanded references – 40 %, articles – 52 %, expanded references – 8 %. 

Conducting a qualitative analysis of ASR related publications it is necessary to note that the greatest number of ASR related references are neutral. The number of neutral publications decreased by 8 in comparison with June and amounted to 73 (56.6 %).

Figure 8.: structure of references – Positive, Negative, Neutral

The number of positive publications amounted to 63 in July, which is much more in comparison with June. The qualitative structure of the information field remained practically unchanged.

Figure 9:   promotion of regional relations – 16 %, miscellaneous – 7 %, development of the construction industry– 19 %, solving the problem on the cement market – 20 %, promotion of inter-branch relations in the financial and banking sphere – 13 %, construction of gas concrete plants – 12 %, amendments to the Federal Law № 214 and implementation of the national program – 13 %.

The analysis of the structure of issues and problems whose solution is reflected in the ASR information field shows that in July the major importance was attached to the issues and events related to solving the problem on the cement market (20 %), development of the construction industry (19 %), promotion of inter-branch relations (13%), amendments to the Federal law №214 (13 %), promotion of regional relations (16 %).

The analysis of comments on ASR activities testifies to the fact that N. Koshman occupies the first position among top managers in terms of quoted comments – 64 %of all cases, V. Ponomarev occupies the 2nd position – 21 %, S. Polonsky occupies the 3rd position – 12%.

In their comments the above mentioned persons touched upon such issues as complications with Eurocement Group (38 %), development of the construction industry – (31 %), amendments to the Federal law №214 (22 %), implementation of the national program (6 %). 

Figure 10: Ponomarev – 21 %, Polonsky – 12%, Kazinets – 3 %, Koshman – 64 %.  

Analyzing the proportion between the share of the basic issues, which were commented on, and the share of the basic issues, which were touched upon in publications it is necessary to note that both speakers and publications attached the major importance to the problem on the cement market, the issue concerning development of the construction industry occupies the 2nd position and the issue concerning amendments to the Federal law №214 occupies the 3rd position.

Figure 11: development of the construction industry – 31 %, complications with Eurocement – 38 %, amendments to the Federal law №214 – 22 %, ASR development – 3 %, implementation of the national program – 6 %.

Thus, improvements in the construction industry and the national housing program, as well as promotion of regional relations constitute positive trends in ASR activities.

 Source: PR and Information Analysis Department of the Builders Association of Russia