Radio advertising sales role 2 percent in August, the Radio Advertising Bureau reported Monday. Local radio ad sales rose 2 percent, while national sales were flat and so-called "non-spot" revenue
fell 5 percent. Following the RAB release, securities firm Merrill Lynch upgraded its outlook for the radio business, projecting third quarter sales would clime 1 percent. "Current trends suggest the
pick up in August will gain momentum into September (helped by better national ad trends), causing us to raise our September projection to 3% from 1%. Consequently, we are raising our third quarter
2005 forecast to 1% from 0%," wrote analyst Laraine Mancini in a research note sent to investors Tuesday morning. -- Joe Mandese
