MAM
US online ad spend to exceed print in 2012
MUMBAI: US online ad spend that grew 23 per cent to $32.03 billion in 2011 is expected to grow an additional 23.3 per cent to $39.5 billion this year, pushing it ahead of total spending on print newspapers and magazines, according to a new forecast by eMarketer.
Print advertising spend is expected to fall to $33.8 billion in 2012, from $36 billion in 2011.
eMarketer‘s previous US online advertising forecast from July 2011 was among the more bullish estimates issued during the year, yet consistently stronger-than-expected results from major industry players and the IAB/PwC through the first three quarters of 2011 contributed to the upward revision.
eMarketer principal analyst David Hallerman said, “Advertisers‘ comfort level with integrated marketing is greater than ever, and this is helping more advertisers and more large brands put a greater share of dollars online.”
“The growing amount of time consumers spend with digital platforms and advertisers‘ view of the internet as a more measurable medium, especially as the soft economy forces businesses to be more accountable with their ad dollars—are both significant contributors to digital‘s growing footprint,” Hallerman added.
Despite concerns about the economy among agencies and marketers, total ad spending in the US is expected to continue to rebound in 2012 after rising 3.4 per cent to $158.9 billion in 2011. US total media ad spending will grow an estimated 6.7 per cent to $169.48 in 2012, boosted by the national elections and summer Olympics in London, eMarketer estimates.
The research company estimates for total media ad spending growth remain slightly more confident, a result of the rapid rise of digital advertising and brands‘ continued confidence in television advertising, despite increasingly fragmented viewership and the soft economy.
Spending on TV advertising grew 2.8 per cent in 2011 to $60.7 billion, eMarketer estimates. This year, TV ad spending will grow an estimated 6.8 per cent to $64.8 billion.
In the newspaper industry, digital revenues remain a sole bright spot. US digital ad revenues for newspapers will grow 11.4 per cent to $3.7 billion, after rising 8.3 per cent to $3.3 billion in 2011. Print advertising revenues at newspapers, however, will dip an additional 6 per cent to $19.4 billion in 2012, after falling 9.3 per cent to $20.7 billion in 2011.
In case of magazines, US print ad revenues are expected to rise 0.5 per cent to $15.34 billion in 2012, up from $15.3 billion last year.US digital advertising spending at magazines is expected to grow 19.3 per cent to $3.3 billion this year, after growing 18.8 per cent to $2.7 billion in 2011.
Radio advertising spending will grow 3.6 per cent to $16.7 billion in 2012, after growing 1.3 per cent to $16.1 billion in 2011 while spending on outdoor advertisements will grow 6.3 per cent to $6.8 billion. Directories ad spending will decline 8.5 per cent to $7.5 billion this year.
Brands
Havas reports solid Q1 2026 with 2.5 per cent organic net revenue growth
Advertising group maintains positive momentum and confirms full-year guidance.
MUMBAI: Havas has started 2026 on a strong note proving that even in uncertain times, its converged model continues to deliver. The global advertising and communications group reported net revenue of €638 million for the first quarter of 2026, representing organic growth of +2.5 per cent compared to the same period last year. This performance was driven particularly by a robust +7.4 per cent organic growth in the United States.
Total revenue for the quarter reached €667 million, with organic growth of +2.8 per cent. Recent acquisitions contributed a positive scope impact of +1.7 per cent, while foreign exchange movements had a negative impact of -5.8 per cent, mainly due to the US dollar and British pound.
Europe, which accounts for 50 per cent of net revenue, delivered +1.1 per cent organic growth, supported by a good performance in France. North America (36 per cent of net revenue) led the way with +7.4 per cent growth, thanks to strong contributions from both Havas Creative and Havas Media. APAC & Africa (8 per cent) saw a decline of -6.2 per cent, while Latin America (6 per cent) remained nearly stable at -0.6 per cent.
Havas chairman and CEO Yannick Bolloré said, “Havas has started 2026 on a solid footing, continuing its momentum and delivering organic growth in net revenue of +2.5 per cent. This performance, in line with our full-year 2026 guidance, was driven in particular by continued strength in the US.”
The group also continued its bolt-on acquisition strategy, acquiring majority stakes in four agencies during the quarter: Acento Public Affairs (Spain), Ctrl Digital (Sweden), Styleheads (Germany), and Eyesight (France).
Havas maintained its strong creative reputation, ranking as a top holding company in the WARC Creative 100 for the sixth consecutive year, with three agencies BETC, Havas Paris, and Havas India placing in the Top 50.
Looking ahead, Havas confirmed its 2026 guidance: organic net revenue growth between +2.0 per cent and +3.0 per cent, adjusted EBIT margin between 13.2 per cent and 13.5 per cent, and a dividend payout ratio of around 40 per cent. The group also reiterated its medium-term targets for 2028.
Despite ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, Havas enters the rest of the year with solid fundamentals and confidence in its ability to deliver sustainable, profitable growth.
In a challenging environment, Havas is proving that its integrated, client-centric model remains resilient delivering steady growth while continuing to invest in creativity and innovation. The first quarter results suggest the group is well-positioned to navigate the year ahead with confidence.
