Total ad spending dipped from $23.8 billion in 2000, to $22.6 billion this year. Top advertisers included General Motors, spending $516.1 million, down 23.7% from last year, AOL Time Warner with $382.7 million, up 29% from last year, and DaimlerChrysler, spending $376.0 million, up 1.7% from the same period last year.

"With the economic challenges facing businesses and industries since late last year, this significant decrease in ad spending has not caught anyone by surprise," said David Peeler, president and CEO of CMR. "The advertising industry often strongly reflects what is happening in a majority of sectors. With Corporate America being required to make cuts across the board, it is logical to see a downturn in these numbers as well."

Despite this overall decline in numbers, cable TV and syndication both showed a healthy increase in revenues this quarter, up 6.6% and 5.5%, respectively. National newspapers, however, took a cut with spending down 17.3%, and national spot radio ad spending was down 24.1%.

2000 vs. 2001 First Quarter Ad Spending

About CMR
TNS Media Intelligence/CMR, offers strategic advertising intelligence to advertising agencies, advertisers, broadcasters and publishers. The company's tracking technologies collect occurrence and expenditure data, as well as the creative executions of over 900,000 brands across 15 media. CMR is headquartered in New York City and maintains sales locations in major markets throughout the United States. For further information, visit http://www.cmr.com.

Through its international network of more than 150 offices in over 50 countries, Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) provides market information services in over 80 countries to national and multi-national organizations. It is ranked as the fourth largest market information group in the world. For further information, visit http://www.tnsofres.com.

Editor's Note:
First Quarter 2001 Advertising Revenue By Industry Category available upon request.