Cinema spend was 拢180m, also on the rise as audiences flocked to the movies to see films like Lord of the Rings and the Harry Potter series, according to the figures, which are compiled by the Advertising Association.
Overall, UK advertisers spent 拢16.2bn on advertising during 2002, a rise of 1.2% on 2001, and a return to growth after that year's 3.2% decline on 2000.
There was good news for the television industry, which saw growth of 4.3% to 拢4.3bn. Last year, television advertising levels fell below 1999 levels. The strongest growth was recorded between April and June -- helped by the World Cup finals, held in Japan and Korea.
National newspapers saw annual revenue dropping by 6.4% to 拢1.9bn. It is the second year running that the sector has seen a significant drop in revenues. In 2001, it fell by 8%, hit by the terrorist attacks in the US and the collapse of the technology boom, which continues to cause problems for the advertising industry.
Regional newspapers once again proved a bright point, with 拢36m more spent on the sector in 2002 than in 2001, a rise of 1.3% to 拢2.8bn. Spending on direct mail in 2002 rose by 6.7% to 拢2.4bn, putting it into third place on the list of most revenue, after television and regional newspapers.
The figures are compiled by the and the World Advertising Research Centre, and detailed findings are available in a report priced 拢150.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the .