Internet advertising revenues reached $10.9 billion in the first half of 2009, a 5 percent decline from the same time in 2008, according to a new report from the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Search and display advertising continue to account for the largest percentages of overall advertising spend. Search revenues amounted to more than $5.1 billion for the first six months of 2009, up three percent from the same period in 2008.
“While the overall advertising market has continued to be impacted by current economic conditions, marketers are allocating more of their dollars to digital media for its accountability and because consumers are spending more of their leisure time online,” said David Silverman, PwC Assurance partner.
Display-related advertising which includes rich media, digital video and sponsorship totaled nearly $3.8 billion in the first six months of 2009 showing a slight decline from the same time in 2008. Digital video continues to see solid growth with a 38 percent increase from the first half of 2008.
“We are in one of the most difficult economic slumps in decades. Interactive is one of the advertising sectors that has been least affected,” said Randall Rothenberg, President and CEO of the IAB.
“In recent years the digital revolution has driven a transformation of how consumers experience advertising and media. As the economy improves, we’re confident that brands will devote an even greater share of their budgets to reaching consumers as they make interactive media a larger part of their lives.”
