There was a 12.4% rise in national adspend to $1.9bn -- national adspend is usually harder hit in a recession than regional and local adspend.
Retail was up by 3.8% for the quarter to $6.1bn, while classified adspend rose 2.2% to $4.8bn.
The figures were compiled by the Newspaper Association of America, which represents more than 2,000 newspapers in the US and Canada.
John Sturn, president and CEO of the NAA, said: "The fact that retail, national and classified advertising all showed gains in the fourth quarter bodes very well for the newspaper industry.
"Advertisers continue to depend on newspapers to deliver their message. Whether it's a large company reaching consumers with a branding campaign or an individual selling a used vehicle, they count on newspapers as an effective and cost-effective medium."
Within the 2002 classified category, automotive grew 5.5% to $5.2bn, real estate increased 4.5% to $3.7bn, recruitment declined 23.1% to $4.4bn and all other classified gained 6.8% to $2.7bn.
"The slowly improving economy helped boost our results in the fourth quarter," NAA vice-president of business analysis and research Jim Conaghan said. "As business activity and consumer confidence gradually accelerate during 2003, it will secure the foundation of the advertising recovery."
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