More from the Magna report which says U.S advertising revenue will grow 1.6% ($3 billion) to $185 billion this year. Ad sales growth of 1.6% would be the lowest increase since the recession of 2008-2009, and it’s a significant slowdown from 2016’s record growth of 7.7%. However, 2016 included a major election and the Olympics. Last year also saw extraordinary growth in the automotive and pharmaceuticals categories. Magna says, in 2018, growth will rebound to +4.8% as the mid-term elections and Winter Olympics will bring in incremental advertising spend again.
