Advertisers to look online as budgets tighten: survey

SINGAPORE - A study conducted by Frost & Sullivan has revealed that a growing number of large brand advertisers are embracing online advertising in the face of shrinking marketing budgets.

The research claims that online advertising’s ability to achieve precise targeting and measurable ROI over traditional advertising are primary reasons why advertisers are showing preference for it.

Separately, the study has also found that Singapore's online ad revenues are expected to reach US$413 million in 2013. This market was worth $142.1 million in 2007 and reached $190 million in 2008, representing a year-on-year growth of 33.7 per cent.

Paid search advertising, by far the largest online advertising segment, accounted for 44 per cent ($62.5 million) of Singapore’s online advertising revenues in 2007. This segment is expected to continue growing at a compound annual growth rate of 22.1 per cent between 2008 and 2013.

According to this research, the internet has become a mainstream source for the supply and search of ‘infotainment’ content, primarily for the youth segment.
“Singapore’s youth are hooked on the internet. They form the largest chunk of active internet users and have been one of the primary drivers of online advertising in recent years,” says Frost & Sullivan industry analyst Kamlesh Kalwar.