The World Advertising Research Centers research director Colin Macleod said that in 2004 there should be a return to the kind of growth levels not seen since the boom of 2000.
There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel although there have been some false dawns before. But it looks like after a tough two years that theres improvement, said Macleod.
He said a 6% rise in advertising spend next year would eclipse this years below-inflation 1% growth, and print could expect a similar increase.
Figures from the Advertising Association show that national newspapers experienced an inflation-adjusted decrease of 7.4% during the second quarter of 2003. Spending on business magazines fell 7.8% in the same period, while direct mail increased by only 0.4%.
Global advertising group WPP has reported an 11% rise in third-quarter revenues to 1.02bn, with its UK business increasing by 6% to 166.4m.
WPP predicted better prospects for 2004 with the forthcoming US presidential election, Athens Olympics and European Football Championships. It also thought that increased marketing and advertising spend in the US would spill over to Europe.
Have your say in the Printweek Poll
Related stories
Latest comments
"Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this Jo, and PrintWeek!
Please feel free to get in touch with the Howden Print Team to arrange your own Free of Charge Cyber Micro-Penetration Test to help..."
"I never quite understand the statements such as "achieved such a positive outcome for this well-established business".
The established business unfortunately failed and no longer exists, a..."
"Genuinely sorry to read this."
Up next...

Commitment, presence and energy will be much missed
Tributes paid to Lascelle Barrow

Around 300 roles may be affected
International Paper to close five UK packaging sites

Asset ownership delayed process
Reflections to be liquidated

'Start of a new era'