Digital Ad Spending Shows Serious Growth...

The digital era hit us like a ton of bricks. Revenue invested in supporting this digital age we live in has taken much longer. It now appears that digital ad spending is catching up in a hurry, according to eMarketer which has just revised its forecast to predict a steeper increase of nearly 11% for US online ad spending in 2010, which follows a drop of 3.4% last year. US spending on online ads will reach $25.1 billion, up from $22.7 billion. eMarketer's previous prediction in December, was for 5.5% growth. Brand marketers realize they need to engage their target audiences where they spend time and that's becoming more and more - digital. And where is that advertising support going???

US online ad spending growth, by format on a 5-year projection (2009-2014) shows Video leading the way. In 2009, 38.6% of advertisers put their product behind video clips while banner ads (3.8%) and search (1.4%) were the only other formats to have positive growth numbers. In 2014, a 4th format (lead generation) is expected to be second with 7.4% to video's 33% format...

BIA/Kelsey is also recognizing the shift to digital ad spending: "While traditional media currently dominates the local ad market, a steady shift to digital will continue over the next five years." Fisher Communications CEO Colleen Brown wisely told a BIA/Kelsey conference yesterday: "We need to be able to sell everything from a $60,000 television spot to a $35 directory listing. It's OK to roll up nickels -- they're adding up." Finally, here's my advice to radio stations with websites - have you included television on your homepage yet???

10 Timeline Memories:

1.1536] Heads, you lose: Anne Boleyn, second wife of England’s King Henry VIII is beheaded after being convicted of adultery. Peter Noone left that part out of his hit…
2.1921] The more things change: Congress passes the Emergency Quota Act which establishes national quotas for immigrants…
3.1960] This King is dethroned: Alan Freed is arrested with 7 others on suspicion of commercial bribery. Freed refused to sign an affidavit in 1959 denying he had accepted payola. Although payola was not yet a crime, Freed is charged with 26 counts of commercial bribery but escapes with just a fine. His career, however, is ruined…
4.1962] Happy Birthday Mr. President: Marilyn Monroe performs a sultry rendition of “Happy Birthday” for President John F. Kennedy with Jackie by his side during a fund raiser at Madison Square Garden…
5.1969] Debuted on this date: Six-year old Jodie Foster makes her show business debut on “Mayberry R.F.D.”…1999] “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" premieres and sets a new record for opening day sales at 28.5 million…2005] “Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith” almost doubles the original movie with 50 million on opening day…
6.1973] Big Red: The great Secretariat, winner of the Kentucky Derby, wins the Preakness by 2 1/2 lengths. In three weeks, perhaps the greatest thoroughbred of all-time will run away with the Belmont Stakes...
7.1992] Veep Speak: Vice President Dan Quayle criticizes “Murphy Brown” because the title character has a baby out of wedlock…
8.1992] Taking a bullet for Joey: Mary Joe Buttafuoco is shot in the head and seriously wounded by her husband Joey’s teenager lover, Amy Fisher…
9.1994] ‘Happy Trails’: Former first-lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis passes away from cancer at 64…
10.1994] Curtains: We say goodbye to “L.A. Law” which ends it’s 8-year run...

Music Memories:

•1958] Released on this date: "Splish Splash" - Bobby Darin (released as the 1st 8-track master recording pressed on a plastic 45-RPM disc)...1973] "Kodachrome" - Paul Simon...
1960] Recorded on this date: "Save The Last Dance For Me" - The Drifters...
1965] #1 on this date: The Beatles top the charts with "Ticket To Ride", their first single to feature Paul McCartney on lead guitar...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Kevin Garnett (34), Grace Jones (62), Pete Townshend (65), Nora Ephron (69), Nancy Kwan (71), David Hartman (75) and Jim Lehrer (76)...

Timeline Countdown: 12 days until Memorial Day, 32 days until Father's Day & 33 days until summer...