Ad spending in the media categories that Nielsen Monitor-Plus tracks increased 5.7 percent overall in the first half of 2005, faster than some forecasts - and the media registering most growth was not the internet but Spanish-language TV, followed by cable TV - writes MediaPost. Although according to Nielsen internet ad spending increased a relatively impressive 12.6 percent over 1H04, adspend on Spanish-language TV networks were up 15 percent, and spending on cable networks was up 13.1 percent.

"The ad market is pacing at about the same rate as 2004," Jeff King, managing director of Nielsen Monitor-Plus, is quoted by Adweek as saying. "If it tracks historically like last year, advertising will end the year up 5.5 to 6 percent."

Adweek also reports that the auto category, number one among advertisers, was generally healthy, according to Nielsen, with automotive companies spending $3.8 billion, an increase of 7.5 percent. General Motors, the top spender, increased its advertising 14.2 percent; Ford, the number-three advertiser, posted a 10.5 percent increase; but DaimlerChyrsler, ranked sixth, lowered its spending 7.8 percent.

Procter & Gamble, the second-largest advertiser, decreased its spending 3.9 percent, with most of the decreases coming at the expense of TV. P&G cut its network TV budget 21 percent and syndication 41 percent, and it reduced spending in spot TV by $50 million.