U.S. Local Ad Revenues to Exceed $174B in 2021 Powered by Strong Growth in Mobile, Social and Local Video, according to BIA/Kelsey’s Updated 2017 Local Advertising Forecast

Mobile Replaces Radio in the Top Five Media; Direct Mail Remains Dominant Player

CHANTILLY, Va. (July 12, 2017) – In the midyear update to its U.S. Local Advertising Forecast 2017, BIA/Kelsey forecasts the overall local media marketplace to experience consistent growth from 2016-2021, reaching approximately $174 billion by 2021 (Compound Annual Growth Rate: 3.8%.) This growth will be driven by double-digit increases in mobile and social advertising and local online and mobile video, all slated to experience at least a 17 percent increase by 2021.

For 2017, the firm has slightly decreased their advertising estimate to $147.9 billion. An overall weaker than expected economy in the beginning of 2017 has led to softness in advertising revenues. However, future growth in online/digital advertising revenues will be higher than originally predicted, with a 2016-2021 CAGR of 11.9%. Over the same period, traditional advertising revenues will see a slight decrease in the 2016-2021 period with a CAGR of -0.6%.

“We are on the precipice of different advertising channels taking lead positions in the local advertising marketplace,” said Mark Fratrik, chief economist, BIA/Kelsey. “Although national and local businesses still utilize a mix of digital and traditional advertising platforms, the opportunities afforded by mobile, social and video advertising are incredibly valuable due to their measurability, adoption by consumers and enhancements by technologies such as beacons and data attribution that blend extraordinarily well with today’s mobile consumer.”

According to the forecast, the top five media (revenues and share of market) contributing to the local media pie in 2017 are:

• Direct Mail: $37.1 billion (25% share)
• Local TV: $20.9 billion (14% share)
• Online / Interactive: $18.6 billion (11% share)
• Newspapers: $16 billion (11% share)
• Mobile: $16 billion (11% share)
• #6 is Local Radio: $15.6 billion

“Mobile has replaced radio in the top five media this year, but the dominant player continues to be direct mail,” commented Fratrik.

The BIA/Kelsey U.S. Local Advertising Forecast 2017 is a five-year forecast that delivers a national overview of total U.S. spending in local markets and includes individual forecast breakouts for the following media: direct mail, local video, online/interactive (i.e. local search and local display), newspapers, mobile, radio, out-of-home/OOH video, directories (i.e. PYP and IYP), social and local magazines. BIA/Kelsey defines local advertising as all advertising platforms that provide access to local audiences for national, regional and local marketers.

Access to the forecast is available by purchasing the report or by subscribing to the firm’s local advertising dashboard, BIA ADVantage. For more information, email sales@biakelsey.com or to request a briefing, click now.

About BIA/Kelsey’s Forecasts

BIA/Kelsey offers both nationwide and local market forecasts. Details can be found here. In April, BIA/Kelsey will launch a new product for the local media industry called ADVantage that will provide online access to all of the firm’s forecasts, giving users a direct view of national and local market ad spending. For more details, email mailto:advantage@biakelsey.com.

About BIA/Kelsey

BIA/Kelsey (@BIAKelsey) combines data, analytics and insights to provide its clients with the information they need for grounded financial and strategic action. Since 1983, BIA/Kelsey has been a valuable resource for many of the leading companies in media and the financial and legal community serving media and telecom, as well as the FCC and other government agencies. Today, BIA/Kelsey offers a broad range of research, consulting services and conferences to traditional and new media companies. Learn more about BIA/Kelsey at www.biakelsey.com.

Additional information is available at https://www.bia.com, on the company’s Local Media Watch blog, Twitter, and Facebook. Sign up for the company’s newsletter Local Media Daily, that covers different areas of media and technology.