GroupM released its predictions for 2008 on Tuesday in a report called ‘This Year, Next Year.’ Among other findings, the report says that, for the first time, Internet spending will exceed 10% of global adspend. Meanwhile, American advertisers are expected to boost adspend by $3 billion, thanks largely to the Olympics and the US presidential election. GroupM does not expect the current Writers Guild of America strike to have a significant impact.

Other projections for 2008 include:

• US adspend will grow 3.7% to $168.6 billion;

• Worldwide adspend will grow 7% to $479 billion, following an anticipated 6% increase in 2007;

• Television and the Internet will be the primary engines of additional new investment globally, at 50% and 30% respectively;

• Spending on marketing services (sponsorships and PR) is growing at a faster rate than traditional advertising;

• 5% of global ad investment will shift from developed economies to emerging ones in 2008.

The full report is available at: www.groupm.com.