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Contact: Jen Brady, VP Marketing, CIMA
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September 17, 2009

Strong Evidence of Stabilization; Google Fades; Facebook and Twitter Gain; Microsoft Moves Viewed Favorably 

Chicago, IL, September 17, 2009 --To gauge the state of the interactive marketing industry, the Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) recently conducted its seventh semiannual survey of its members and associates. Data was collected during August 2009 with 130 survey results tabulated, analyzed, and prepared by CIMA’s partner analyst and Director of Global Strategy and Operations with The Marketing Store, Troy Mastin.  Mark Ailsworth, CIMA’s President and Director of Midwest Sales for Undertone states, “CIMA’s prior survey results provided industry insights that held true to form for the marketplace. The most recent results document interesting points for debate here in Chicago and nationally.”

Clear signs of stabilization following a steep decline in early 2009. Annual interactive marketing budgets’ growth is expected at 8.3% versus 5.0% from the sixth survey and an average of 18.5% for the first five surveys. On a scale of one to five (five is very healthy) the industry was rated at 3.39, down slightly from 3.43 in the last survey, but still below an average of 4.09 with earlier surveys.

Economic conditions and industry dynamics impacting vertical categories.  The economy is having a chilling effect on the marketing activity within the automotive, travel, and financial services industries, which were rated as the three weakest; a contrast to prior surveys when these categories were viewed as the strongest.  The consumer packed goods (CPG) category was seen as the strongest category while the apparel category continues to improve. The professional services and telecom categories remain stable and healthy.

Google loses ground to Facebook and Twitter; Microsoft finally makes progress. Google did not dominate in respondents’ views of the best-positioned company.  Additionally, Microsoft’s launch of Bing and its Yahoo partnership was viewed as likely to result in lower share for Google in terms of consumer search volume and spending.

In-depth survey results and an industry panel discussion will occur Wednesday September 30th, 2009 in Chicago.  Panelists will include senior executives from Digital Time Inc., Google, Topix, MindShare, and Allstate.

About CIMA: The Chicago Interactive Marketing Association’s mission is to provide a forum for all professionals involved in interactive marketing to share ideas, continue their professional development, identify best practices, meet and stay connected to industry colleagues, and promote the value and successes of interactive marketing. You can learn more about CIMA at www.ChicagoIMA.org.