Report: Ad Spending Up 6.1% in 2003

By: Katy Bachman (Mediaweek) Advertising spending in 2003 was up by 6.1% to $128.3 billion, according to figures released Monday by TNS Media Intelligence/CMR, which tracks spending across 20 media segments.

With the exception of spot TV advertising, which dipped 5.4% last year, all media measured by TNSMI/CMR experienced growth, with double-digit gains posted by local newspapers (13.4%), cable TV networks (15.6%), the Internet (15.7%), national TV syndication (15.3%), and Spanish-language TV networks (12.8%).

Other segments showing spending gains: network TV (1.8%); consumer magazines (6.3%); business-to-business magazines (0.7%); local radio (2.4%); national newspapers (5.8%); outdoor (8%); national spot radio (7.5%); Sunday magazines (5.3%); free standing inserts (6.3%); network radio (3.6%); and local magazines (4.6%).

Of the top 10 biggest advertisers, eight increased spending last year, including the No. 1 advertiser, Procter & Gamble, which boosted ad spending by 24.7%. Other advertisers that increased budgets by double-digits in 2003 were DaimlerChrysler AG (13.2%), Walt Disney Co. (17.8%), Johnson & Johnson (12.1%) and Sony Corp (12.3%). The two advertisers that spent less last year were both automotive advertisers -- General Motors (down 0.3%) and Ford Motor Co. (down 1.1%).