This Year Next Year: U.S. Media Forecasts

U.S. advertising will grow +6.2% in 2019 to $244 billion. This will mark a fourth consecutive year of solid mid-single-digit growth for the industry on an underlying basis. Taking out directories and direct mail makes the health of the industry look even stronger, with a +7.6% underlying growth rate for 2019, although including political advertising in all years brings growth down a few notches to +3.8% all in. However we look at it, growth has been robust relative to the general economy, which is generally decelerating on an underlying basis.

2020 still looks solid; we are forecasting +4.0% growth next year.