Entitled Be the first to know, the advertising campaign aims to reach 19 million online users with adverts appearing on a number of key pan-Arab websites including MSN Arabia - Hotmail and Messenger, Yahoo, and Ebay.

Be the first to know promotes the new monthly, free BBC Arabic language e- newsletter.

Subscribers get an insider's view of the most popular and trusted non-Arab news broadcaster in the Middle East and North Africa.

They receive a monthly update on the programmes and special features coming up, have an opportunity to share their views and opinions with online debates and polls and get behind-the-scenes insights of BBC Arabic with profiles on their favourite presenters and backgrounds on the top stories.

There are also opportunities to link with debates on bbcarabic.com and to enter a variety of competitions with a range of exciting prizes.

Alan Booth, Controller of BBC World Service Marketing, Communications and Audiences, says the BBC Arabic e-newsletter is a brilliant way of connecting with young people in the Middle East.

"We met over quarter of a million people through Your future… who decides it? Over 33,000 gave us their names for further contacts," he says.

"We know from that direct contact that this audience wants to interact with the BBC more.

"They are passionate about the news and events that affect their lives - and the lives of friends and family at home and around the world.

"The BBC Arabic e-newsletter ensures they can follow news events through BBC Arabic coverage on radio and online and prompts opportunities to express their views.

"We also know young people are already using the Internet, which is why we are using online advertising for Be the first to know."

BBC World Service used Amman-based design agency Mint to produce creative work for the campaign.

The London-based specialist online agency Agency Republic planned and bought the advertising space.

Database management and email marketing services will be managed by Broadsystem based in London.

Subscriptions will be driven via a dedicated page on bbcarabic.com.

Notes to Editors

BBC Arabic is the leading international radio news service in Arabic, and bbcarabic.com is the leading Arabic online news site. 

BBC Arabic broadcasts 24 hours a day, every day, with news on the hour, every hour. 

BBC Arabic broadcasts to the whole Arab world on short wave and through digital audio channels on the principal satellites covering the Arab world. 

In most of the eastern Arab world, BBC broadcasts are heard on medium wave, and in key cities the BBC is available on FM. 

The award-winning site bbcarabic.com also carries a live audio feed of BBC Arabic radio.

BBC Arabic is one of 33 language services broadcast by BBC World Service, the international radio and online broadcaster which has a global audience of 163 million listeners.

Its international websites receive more than 550 million page impressions a month.