The census, conducted between 9 February and 2 March, found that, against the backdrop of economic uncertainty, digital publishers remain pragmatic about the long-term future of their businesses. It found that 63% of online publishers expect to increase their digital investment this year, with only 7% anticipating a drop in investment.
Just over half (51%) of respondents said the priority for investment was building offline and online cross-media skilled teams, while 28% said investment in technology and innovation was crucial in the coming year.
Another of the main trends to emerge was the move towards integration of staff across traditional and digital businesses, with 65% of respondents expecting more functions across departments including advertising planning/research to be integrated in 2009.
Training remains an important area of investment, with 40% increasing their budgets and 51% keeping their training budgets at the same level as 2008.
Alison Reay, AOP chairman and digital & multimedia director at Telegraph Media Group, said that given the "global trading climate we're operating in", the survey was a "motivating insight into the mood of UK publishers for the coming year".
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