FOCUS: ASIAN ADVERTISING INDUSTRY POLL: Industry cautious on 2001 prospects

<p>The industry breathed a huge sigh of relief in 2000; it was better </p><p>than they had expected and most agencies achieved their revenue target </p><p>for the year, according to the MEDIA-CNBC Asian Advertising Industry </p><p>Poll. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>However, two thirds of respondents stated that they didn't feel the </p><p>industry had returned to the pre-financial crisis levels of the late </p><p>1990s. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>In addition, more than 60 per cent felt prospects for 2001 would only </p><p>slightly improve, compared with only 19 per cent who believed the new </p><p>year would usher in greatly improved operating conditions. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Agency heads said the cautiousness stemmed from new global </p><p>uncertainties, including worries about the state of the US economy and </p><p>political turmoil in countries like the Philippines, Taiwan and </p><p>Thailand. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Nevertheless, they said that considering the financial crisis only came </p><p>to an end in late 1999, it was "so far, so good". </p><p><BR><BR> </p>