Written by on Sep 16, 2011. Posted in On Location

Domestic advertising industry in China could grow 17% in 2012

Advertising spending in China's domestic industry is expected to grow by 15% in 2011 and 17% in 2012, according to a new report from Shanghai-based communications organisation Group M.

The company estimates the Chinese industry will spend USD54 billion this year and that it's second in size only to the US. Nearly 60% of ad spending in China is spent on television, the report claims, with spending in the medium forecast to surpass USD30 billion by the end of this year.

The online market is showing the fastest expansion, with growth of nearly 50% predicted by the end of 2011.

The online advertising market in China is showing the fastest expansion, with growth of nearly 50% predicted by the end of 2011.

Lucy Zhang is Futures Director at Group M Knowledge, China: “Our positive outlook for internet advertising spend is underpinned by our belief that the internet will continue to attract budgets from advertisers as coverage grows and content improves. But it will also grow as advertisers understand how to better leverage the data garnered from online campaigns and plan more efficient campaigns.”

There are 485 million people online throughout China, representing 36% of the population. The spread in popularity of smartphones is also likely to boost the growth of the online market.