Unveiling the Hottest Trends and Fun Facts in the $500 Billion Advertising World

The advertising industry is a dynamic behemoth with a market size exceeding $500 billion. This ever-changing world sees new trends, technologies, and strategies emerge daily. Staying up-to-date in this vibrant field is as crucial as that morning cup of strong coffee. To keep pace, knowing the latest advertising stats is a must. Here, we unveil the latest industry trends, covering both digital and traditional advertising data, fun facts, and emerging trends you need to know.

Advertising Industry Roundup

U.S. Ad Spending Dropped 8% in 2020

Ah, 2020, calling it "eventful" is an understatement. The economy took a hit due to the pandemic, but the advertising industry showed resilience. Despite the overall spending drop, digital advertising bucked the trend with a 6% increase. Yes, digital advertisers were the winners in this storm. Data shows digital advertising will continue to dominate the market, with digital video and display ads growing by 18% and 15%, respectively.

By 2024, U.S. Online Ad Spend Will Be Double That of TV Ads

Online advertising hit the fast-forward button a while ago. In 2019, mobile ad spend nearly accounted for two-thirds of total U.S. ad spend. By 2020, the gap between online and traditional advertising had widened to $58 billion. Online advertising is like that Energizer bunny, constantly on the move.

Retail and Automotive Industries Top U.S. Ad Spending

In 2018, U.S. retail industry led the pack with $17 billion in ad spending. The automotive industry followed closely with $14 billion. Both industries have also significantly increased their digital ad spend, with retail accounting for 21.9% and automotive 12.6% of total digital ad spend.

Average Annual Salary for Ad Managers: $133,380

By 2030, employment for advertising and marketing managers is expected to grow by 10%, above the average for all occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights a shift from traditional print to internet advertising. Ad managers working with traditional media might need to brush up on their typing skills, as their employment rate is expected to drop by 1%.

Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Industry Digital Ad Spend Surpasses $11.2 Billion in 2021

The pandemic spurred the growth of pharmaceutical ads, covering testing, safety, telehealth, and medical supplies. Although this sector still lags behind top industries in ad spend, the growth in prescription drug advertising reflects the increasing public interest in health.

Political Ad Spend Reached $8.5 Billion During the 2020 U.S. Elections

2020 was nothing short of extraordinary, with election ad spend hitting $8.5 billion, 30% higher than the $6.7 billion initially projected. This figure was also 108% higher than the 2018 midterm election spend, setting a new record.

Saatchi & Saatchi's "It's a Tide Ad" Named Best Ad Campaign of 2020 by WARC

Disclaimer: This is not a Tide ad. Tide's Super Bowl ad not only dominated the halftime show but also turned all other ads into Tide ads. This hilarious 1-minute video significantly boosted the detergent brand's advertising effectiveness: 22% of customers reported buying Tide within 30 days of watching the ad.

27% of U.S. Internet Users Will Use Ad Blockers by 2027

This means one in four ads will be blocked and won't reach their audience. Users primarily use ad blockers to make browsing without banners easier. They also aim to avoid irrelevant messages and prevent third-party tracking of their online behavior.

Average Cost for a 30-Second Super Bowl Ad: $5.6 Million

Super Bowl ads have become a cultural phenomenon, just like the game itself. In 2019, Super Bowl ad revenue reached $336 million, accounting for nearly 30% of the national total.

90% of Marketers Worry About Their Ads Appearing Next to Problematic Content

41% are very concerned about their ads appearing next to controversial posts. With the rise of political correctness and cancel culture in the digital ecosystem, advertisers are learning to tread carefully to avoid these pitfalls.

Absolut Ran the Longest Uninterrupted Ad Campaign for 25 Years

Absolut Vodka started an advertising marathon in 1981 that lasted 25 years, rolling out over 1,500 designs, including one by Andy Warhol. The campaign's impact was tremendous, with sales growing from 10,000 cases a year to 4.5 million by 2000, capturing over half of the U.S. imported vodka market.

28% of Cosmetic Ads Include Disclaimers About Retouched Images

According to a report by The Sun, 44% of ads appear digitally enhanced, but only some mention it. Mascara ads are the worst offenders: 58% admitted to airbrushing models' lashes, and 42% showcased fake lashes.

Hope this humorous take on advertising industry trends gives you a chuckle while providing valuable insights!