September 6, 2006

According to a new study performed by Nielsen//NetRatings, Internet advertising increased by 49.1 percent during the first six months of 2006, surpassing all other media types.

Internet ad spending was up 5 percent for the same period, when compared to the same period a year ago.

Overall, online ad spending topped $3.82 billion between January and June, compared to $2.6 billion in 2005.

Among the verticals that increased their use of Internet marketing, telecommunications led all industries with a 122.3 percent growth in spending when compared to the year-ago period.

Financial services, retail goods and Web media sectors also reported significant growth.

"Spending on Web advertising continues to show significant growth as Internet marketers seek additional means to reach their target audiences," said Jeff King, managing director of Nielsen Monitor-Plus.

The large increase in Internet ad spending outpaced that of all other media. Coming in second was Spanish language television, which surged by 21.7 percent, likely due to World Cup broadcasts.

Spot radio, local newspaper, B2B magazines, national cable TV, FSI coupon and smaller spot TV markets each showed lower growth.

Source: Click Z