Starcom MediaVest Group took the top spot in the 2011 Global Billings Rankings 2011 report, which measured 865 agencies in 61 countries. The network increased by 9% or $2.8 billion in 2011 for a total of $34.3 billion in billings.

The network narrowly beat out last year’s topper, OMD by only $0.2 billion in billings. OMD saw its billings grow by 9.8% for the year, an increase of $3 billion to $34.1 billion in 2011.

Four networks in the report posted double-digit growth, with Maxus growing by 43.6%, PHD jumping 17.5%, ZenithOptimedia growing by 11.1% and Carat boosting billings by 10.1% in 2011.

Overall, the report points to a worldwide industry which is still growing, boasting a 9.2% jump overall in 2011, which is lower than the 13.8% growth in 2010. Continued growth is fueled in part by the growing developments of digital activities within the agency core business, according to a RECMA release.