Internet ad revenues top $20 billion in first half of 2013

Internet advertising revenue reached $20.1 billion in the first half of 2013, an historic high according to the industry group Interactive Advertising Bureau.

That figure represents an 18 percent increase from $17,028 over the same period last year.

Online ad revenue soared on smartphone sales and increased mobile advertising from big companies like Facebook and Google. Mobile ad sales jumped 145 percent over the same period last year, worth a total of $3 billion.

“Mobile advertising’s breakneck growth is evidence that marketers are recognizing the tremendous power of smaller screens," said IAB President and CEO Randall Rothenberg. "Digital video is also on a positive trajectory, delivering avid viewership and strong brand-building opportunities.”

Digital video rose 24 percent year-over-year. Display-related advertising revenues, a broader category that includes digital video, totaled $6.1 billion and accounted for 30 percent of revenues in the time period, up from $5.6 billion in the first half of 2012.

“This report not only confirms that brands are making a greater commitment to interactive, but also points to the fact that mobile and digital video are being identified as integral elements of the marketing mix,” said David Silverman, a partner at PwC US.