Online ad spend said to have topped £1bn mark

ONLINE display advertising is said to have topped the £1bn mark for the first time last year.

Reports The Scotsman: “Despite the difficult economic backdrop, brands in Britain spent almost £5million advertising online, with video ads and marketing on social media platforms contributing to the biggest increase in five years.

“The study from the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB), conducted by PwC, said advertising on the internet increased by 14.4 per cent to £4.8bn in 2011.

“Britain has led the way in terms of moving advertising money from traditional areas of spending, such as newspapers and radio, to the internet due to the high level of internet access and the proliferation of smartphones, which allow users to access the internet on the go.”

The Scotsman also reports (page 11 in today’s edition) that an advert featuring footballer, David Beckham, in his own brand of underwear was not considered ‘offensive’, according to the Advertising Standards Authority, responding to complaints.