Advertisers Shift $1 Billion to Web

New Ad Age analysis (via TechCrunch) reveals that the nation's top 100 advertisers moved about $1 billion dollars away from radio and TV in favor of Internet ads last year.  Overall, the total amount spent on advertising was unchanged, but the Web benefited from a new trend away from traditional media.

Specifically, Ad Age reports that, "Measured spending on internet display advertising last year surged 33% [...] Web display ads -- banner ads and the like -- accounted for 6.8% of [Ad Age's 100 Leading National Advertisers]  measured spending in 2007, up from 5.1% in 2006 (and more than double 2003's 3%)."

Whether or not Web advertising will be able to maintain its impressive growth rates is debatable. Early 2008 numbers indicate a slight decline, which is likely linked to the sluggish economy.