Online advertising revenues in Canada will reach $519 million in 2005, 43 percent more than the $364 million in 2004, according to the annual revenue survey by the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada, reports the Ottawa Business Journal. Display advertising accounted for the largest portion - 45 percent - of online advertising revenues in 2004. Search accounted for 30 percent. Classified/directories/direct response and email advertising totaled 25 percent.

Of the 2004 total, approximately $65.5 million, or 18 percent, was allocated to the French Canadian market.

"Recent research by Ipsos-Reid's shows that the Internet has eclipsed radio in popularity among all wired Canadians, and actually trumps TV in the 18-34 demographic. In the U.S., online's share is already at eight percent and growing steadily in response to similar media consumption shifts. Yet at the 2004 level of $364 million, online advertising still represents just four percent of the total ad dollars spent in Canada," according IAB (Canada) director Paula Gignac.