As advertising's prognosticators talk up a recovery (recent predictions peg 2004 growth at 5% or more), we turned to the ultimate insider for a reality check; Sir Martin Sorrell, chairman and CEO of WPP Group.

New Year's hasn't traditionally been a big occasion for new marketing. While many big brands still will wait to kick off ads around the Super Bowl, Academy Awards or later, others this year are looking at New Year's to start something fresh.