Take Los Angeles-based Fanscape, a digital-engagement marketing agency that works with clients to better understand and influence niche audiences online.

"The jury's still out, but I believe that revenue is going to grow by 15% next year," said Terry Dry, president and co-founder of Fanscape.

That projection is lower than the shop's average 20% growth rate over the past 10 years, according to Dry, but markedly better than this year's growth rate of next to nothing.

"I wish we were doing better this year, but the world's coming around to what we do," Dry said. "Marketers now understand the value of what we do."

Not that the agency has been ignored until this point. Fanscape has developed engagement campaigns--ranging in price from $25,000 into the six figures for a long list of top brands, including AT&T, Samsung, Paramount Pictures, M&M's, State Farm Insurance, MTV, and Universal Music Group.

While every campaign is tailored to the desires and goals of the client, Fanscape services include everything from building unique email lists to consumer outreach throughout the blogosphere and popular social networks.

In one recent example, NBC enlisted Fanscape to build buzz for its prime-times series "Chuck," using the popular texting community Twitter. In addition, NBC created a dating profile, a YouTube channel, and accounts with several social networks for the show's main character, Chuck Bartowski.

Last week, the director of IPG's Emerging Media Lab, Lori Schwartz, reiterated the notion that new media appeals to marketers during rough economic times. "We look at this next year as difficult, but filled with opportunities," said Schwartz. "Online advertising is expected to grow, because marketers are looking for more accountability."

This news story is important. I recommend that everyone read it.