• by Ken Liebeskind , January 23, 2002

Is it time for more hopeful forecasts? Yesterday, CMR announced that according to their numbers, ad spending will rise 1.5% this year, to $96.1 billion from $94.6 billion last year.

"As our nation emerges from recession, we believe the worst is behind us and expect to see a slight industry rebound by the onset of the third quarter of 2002," says David Peeler, President and CEO of CMR.

After ad spending jumped to $104.5 billion in 2000, it fell strongly last year, thanks to the shabby economy and the events of Sept. 11. It was the worst year over year showing since the 1990-91 recession.

CMR projects more falloffs for early 2002 -- a Q1 dip of 5.4% and a Q2 drop of 3.3%. But in Q3, CMR expects revenue will jump 3% and in Q4 it will leap 10.9%. But, CMR says, "This rebound is relative to the depressed levels of the third and fourth quarters of 2001."

Internet advertising will lead the way, growing 8.8% this year. Smaller increases are predicted for newspapers (3.1%t), network TV (2%), cable TV (1.1%), magazines (0.6%) and outdoor (1.8%).