(Direct Newsline)— response advertising expenditures totaled $2.96 billion during the first half of 2005, up 19.9% from $2.5 billion last year, according to market research firm TNS Media Intelligence.

Spending on Internet advertising totaled $3.96 billion during the first half, up 9.4% from 3.6 billion last year.

In addition, first-half spending on newspaper freestanding inserts amounted to $778 million, up 4.6% from $744.2 million last year.

Overall advertising expenditures increased 4.5 % to $70.5 billion from $67.5 billon last year.

“The 4.5% growth rate for the period is slightly higher than our forecast of 4.1% issued earlier this year,” said CEO Steven Fredericks in a statement. “The advertising market continues to outperform the general economy but the third quarter will be a much more difficult comparison period because of last year’s stimulus from the Summer Olympics and national elections.”

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Direct response advertising expenditures totaled $2.96 billion during the first half of 2005, up 19.9% from $2.5 billion last year, according to market research firm TNS Media Intelligence.

Spending on Internet advertising totaled $3.96 billion during the first half, up 9.4% from 3.6 billion last year.

In addition, first-half spending on newspaper freestanding inserts amounted to $778 million, up 4.6% from $744.2 million last year.

Overall advertising expenditures increased 4.5 % to $70.5 billion from $67.5 billon last year.

“The 4.5% growth rate for the period is slightly higher than our forecast of 4.1% issued earlier this year,” said CEO Steven Fredericks in a statement. “The advertising market continues to outperform the general economy but the third quarter will be a much more difficult comparison period because of last year’s stimulus from the Summer Olympics and national elections.”