US internet ad revenues hit $5.9bn
Internet advertising revenues in the US hit $5.9 billion for the first quarter of 2010, representing a 7.5% increase over the same period in 2009, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
This marks the highest first-quarter revenue level ever for the industry.
Randall Rothenberg, president and CEO of the IAB, said: “The year-over-year growth we are seeing reflects marketers’ confidence in the value and effectiveness of interactive advertising.
“The internet, together with explosive technological innovation in devices and platforms, has transformed consumers’ lives, giving them access to entertainment and information however, whenever, and wherever they want it.”
David Silverman, PwC assurance partner, said: “We are seeing continued signs of an improved economy and interactive advertising market. The media industry – like the economy as a whole – saw tremendous challenges this past year, and uncertainty about the recovery remains.
“However, entering 2010 with such strong Q1 revenues is a sign of the health and vitality of online media, and of marketers’ continuing investment in interactive as a cornerstone of their advertising campaigns.”
Recent comScore figures revealed that US internet users received a record 1.1 trillion display ads during the first quarter of 2010, a 15% year on year increase.
Elsewhere, Magna’s latest US advertising growth forecast predicted that online advertising will be the fastest growing medium this year, although television will remain the largest advertising platform.