Stats that Count !

Marketing is more important than ever. Ninety-four percent of CMOs believe that “a tough economic period is precisely the time when marketing plays a key role.”

Source: Epsilon, “Epsilon CMO Survey,” September, 2008.

Search advertising (SEO & PPC ) is particularly valuable now. Eighty-three percent of search advertisers plan to maintain or increase their Search marketing spend in the next 12 months.

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce and TNS Retail Forward as cited in press release, September 17, 2008.

Consumers will look online more. This year has seen a 10% increase in people who research online before buying in the store.

Source: Vertis Communications, “Customer Focus 2008: Holiday Retail study,” October, 2008.

Online consumer spending will continue to grow. Retail spending is expected to increase by 1.5% by the end of this year, but online spending is expected to increase by 12%.

Sources: U.S. Department of Commerce and TNS Retail Forward as cited in press release, September 17, 2008; Forrester Research Inc. “Outlook For US Online Holiday Sales, 2008,” October, 2008.