Online ad sales rose 7 percent in 1st quarter, 2nd straight period of growth
By APThursday, May 13, 2010
Online ad sales rose 7 percent to $5.9B in 1Q
NEW YORK — The Interactive Advertising Bureau says that Internet ad sales are on the mend as first-quarter revenue rose 7 percent, marking the second straight quarter of increase.
The revenue of $5.9 billion marks the highest for a first quarter, which is typically a slower period following high ad spending over the holidays.
Thursday’s study by the IAB and PricewaterhouseCoopers says retailers are spending more on Internet ads as Americans go back to shopping. Retailers accounted for 20 percent of all online marketing in 2009.
The rebound came after online ad revenue slumped for the first three quarter of 2009.
David Silverman of PricewaterhouseCooperssays that while uncertainty about the economy remains, the strong start in 2010 “is a sign of the health and vitality of online media.”
(This version CORRECTS to billions, sted millions.)
