Internet Ads Reach $15 Billion, First Half 2011

Internet ad revenue rose 24.1% to $7.7 billion in Q2 2011, contributing a 23% uptick to $14.9 billion to the first half of the year, according to Interactive Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers U.S. stats.

Display-related advertising-banner, rich media, digital video and sponsorships rose 27.1% to more than $5.5 billion in the first six months of 2011. Breaking it down for the first six months, display-related advertising revenue totaled $5.5 billion or 37% revenue, up 27% from the $4.4 billion reported in 2010. Banners took 23%, or $3.4 billion; rich media, 5%, or $763 million; digital video, 6%, or $891 million; and sponsorship, 3%, or $467 million. Aside from display ads, paid search ads continue to take the majority of the media buy. Search, which remains the leading format since 2006, accounted for 49% of Q2 2011 revenue, up 47% to $3.8 billion. Search revenue for the first six months of 2011 totaled $7.3 billion, up 27% from $5.7 billion in 2010.