NetRatings (PDF file): Largest Advertisers Spending More Online
AdAge: Online Ad Spending Continues to Rise

According to research firm Nielsen/NetRatings firms, the largest-spending advertising sectors - business and consumer services (e.g., financial and telecom), automotive, pharmaceuticals, travel, insurance and real estate - are significantly increasing their online ad spending this year. Car companies, for example, more than doubled their online ad spending in the first quarter of 2003 compared to 2002, up from $27 million in 2002 to $57 million in the same quarter this year. Sports sites are among the top beneficiaries of the increased spending by car companies, Ad Age reports. DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, Ford, Honda, Nissan and Toyota have all increased their interactive ad spending.