North American advertisers spent $9.4 billion on search engine marketing (SEM) in 2006, a 62% increase over 2005 spending, according to an annual industry survey conducted by the Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO). SEMPO researchers also estimate SEM spending to double by 2011, at an aggregate spending total of $18.6 billion. Kevin Lee, member… Continue reading US Advertisers Increase Spending On Search Engine Marketing

A new report from Informa Telecoms & Media forecasts that there will be 151 million HDTV homes worldwide by the end of 2011 – more than three times the number at the end of 2006. Adam Thomas, the report’s author, said: “The public has really taken to high-definition, attracted by falling prices for impressive looking… Continue reading HDTV Could Be In 151 Million Homes Globally By 2011

US radio revenues increased 1% in 2006 over 2005, boosted by a 10% increase in non-spot dollars over the same time period, according to the Radio Advertising Bureau. Total combined local , national and network sales figures were flat for 2006 compared to 2005, whilst national business grew 5% year on year. Local ad sales… Continue reading US Radio Revenues Up Year On Year

The total number of US TV households is expected grow 47% by the year 2050, from 111.4 million to 163.7 million, according to estimates released today by Nielsen Media Research in its annual report Projected Estimates of TV Households and Persons 2008 to 2050. The report also includes projected estimates for African-American, Hispanic and, for… Continue reading US TV Households To Grow 47%

New research from Leichtman Research Group (LRG) found that 4% of all adults over age 18 in the United States watch video online at home daily and an additional 14% at least once a week. LRG said that by comparison, 93% of adults spend at least one hour a day, on average, watching TV. While… Continue reading US Adults Watching More Online Video

The BBC has shortlisted three media agencies to take forward to the next stage of its media planning and buying selection process which began in October 2006.Mediaedge:cia, MPG, and Zenith Optimedia are the three agencies shortlisted by the Corporation.The process is part of a formal review of the BBC’s media planning and buying account, a… Continue reading BBC Shortlists Three Agencies For Planning And Buying

The Advertising Standards Authority has banned two BSkyB adverts after it ruled that the broadcaster’s commercials misleadingly implied that all terrestrial TV signals would cease following digital switchover.The first of the ads, within a four-page wraparound, stated: “Don’t worry that your terrestrial TV signal is being switched off. We’ve got it covered.” Inside was the… Continue reading ASA Bans Sky’s “Misleading” Ads

This morning saw the launch of the Virgin Media brand, as the great and the good of the media world braved the snow and ice to hear what Sir Richard Branson and pals had to offer.Virgin Media’s new television channel Virgin Central, which it has branded “revolutionary”, combines ordinary television channel choice with TV-on-demand.Having struck… Continue reading Virgin Media Launches Today

Virgin Media is to launch a home media package targeting households that are willing to spend more than £1,000 per year on a combination of products.According to a report in the Guardian, customers will be able to get a top of the range digital TV service, home phone and broadband package for £85 a month.Virgin… Continue reading Virgin Media To Target The Affluent

Communications giant BT has seen its revenue rise 5% to £5,126 million, with continued strong growth in new wave revenue more than offsetting the decline in traditional revenue, according to the company’s Q3 results. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation before specific items and leaver costs grew by 2.5%, the fourth consecutive quarter of… Continue reading BT Sees 5% Revenue Rise In Q3