The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) backed by data collected by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) said that in the first half of 2010 US Internet advertising revenues were a record, up 11.3% over the disastrous numbers in 2009, when it when backwards for the first time. Internet advertising reached $12.1 billion in the US, setting a new half-year record. For the quarter revenues were up 13.9% over 2009.
Interestingly it is display advertising, which includes banner ads, rich media, digital video and sponsorships, not search, which tends to have all the headlines. Display brought in $4.4 billion in the first six months of 2010, up around 16% over the same period in 2009. Digital video continues to experience record growth, achieving the highest half-year performance ever, up 31% over first half 2009.
Search advertising still takes up 47% of all internet advertising, which totals more than $5.7 billion for the first six months of 2010, and this was up 11.6%
‘Interactive advertising revenue is on a strong upward trajectory,’ said Sherrill Mane, SVP, Industry Services, IAB. ‘Nearly all types of ad formats are showing positive movement and marketers across all advertising categories, most notably consumer packaged goods and pharmaceuticals, are increasing their investment in digital media.’
David Silverman, PwC Assurance partner, said ‘While the recession clearly affected short term growth in 2009, with double digit growth in both search and display during the first six month of 2010, the long term prospects continue to be strong.’