Internet Ad Revenue Continues Climb

Online advertising revenue reached $3.9 billion in the first quarter of 2006, according to the latest Advertising Revenue Report from the Interactive Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The study finds a 38 percent increase over revenue from last year's first quarter, which was $2.8 billion. Revenue also rose 6 percent from $3.6 billion in fourth-quarter 2005.

Consumers continue to use the Internet to access and interact with products, according to the study. Marketers are investing more ad dollars in online ventures.

Data for the study were compiled by the new media group of PricewaterhouseCoopers and are provided directly from companies that sell online advertising. The twice-yearly report began in 1996. The first- and third-quarter reports are based on top-line estimates.

The IAB represents 250 interactive companies that sell or support the sale of interactive advertising. Members are responsible for selling 86 percent of online advertising in the United States.