The Australian ad market was down 0.6% to $661m according to SMI data for September, although it will likely end up about 1% up once all digital revenue, such as that from programmatic trading, is accounted for in the coming weeks. All sectors bar print were up.
Newspapers were down 27% overall, with metropolitan papers taking the biggest hit. Revenue placed into newspaper magazines fell by more than a third compared to September last year.
TV agency bookings rose 1.2% to $333 million while total digital at this point is up 18.9% to $115 million. Radio was up 6.9% to $44 million, cinema was up 14.1% and outdoor revenues were up 4.3%.
Across categories, government spend was up 166% due to the election, with retail, banking, FMCG and automotive spend down as a result, as advertisers pulled back to avoid election clutter.
Media owners have previously voiced bullish sentiment for the last half of the year, bourne out by growth last quarter of around 4.5%. However, there are now some mixed feelings in the market and the fourth quarter will determine whether the bulls or the bears are right.
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.
Have something to say? Send us your comments using the form below or contact the writer at brendancoyne@yaffa.com.au
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.