Ad Spending Dropped 12% in 2009, but Things Are Looking Up

Overall ad spending in the U.S. fell 12.3% in 2009, according to a new report from Kantar Media, triple the rate of decline from 2008. But last year's ad-sales drop was moderated somewhat by a fourth quarter in which nearly all media improved on their performances from earlier in the year. And things seem to be looking up further still -- depending on what happens with consumer spending.

"The advertising recession began to ease in the final two months of 2009 and preliminary figures from the first quarter of 2010, when compared against the abyss of a year ago, indicate many sectors are experiencing growth," said Jon Swallen, senior VP-research at Kantar, in the report. "Given the restraint in consumer spending, it appears marketers have more confidence right now than their customers. As we get deeper into 2010, the pace of consumer activity will be a key determinant of the strength and durability of the advertising recovery."
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