• by Paul Gough , January 16, 2004

In the midst of TNS Media Intelligence/CMR's just-released forecast for ad spending in 2004 is further proof that online advertising is moving onward and upward.

Internet advertising will be one of the top three categories to see the highest pace of growth this year, with a 12.1 percent boost compared to estimates for how 2003 will end up. That's on top of already strong growth registered through the first nine months of 2003, the latest firm figures CMR has available. Internet advertising tallied $4.73 billion in spending through Sept. 30, an increase of 13 percent compared to 2002.

"The notion of the bust of the Internet is over. That's old news," said Steven J. Fredericks, president and chief executive officer of TNS/CMR. He said that a lot of Fortune 500 companies are looking to the Internet.

That's the message also of Nisreen Madhany, chief executive officer of mOne, which last night took home MEDIA magazine's interactive agency of the year honors.

She pointed out in her remarks in accepting the award last night in Manhattan that interactive advertising had taken its place at the table among traditional media.

"It needs to be acknowledged as a medium, that it's a grown up medium," Madhany said.

-- Paul J. Gough