Automakers Still High on Global Top 20 Ad List

Despite experiencing the largest overall category drop in ad spending in the third quarter of 2008 (Q308), seven of the top 20 largest global advertisers were car manufacturers, according to Nielsen, which released its Top 20 Global Advertisers list as part of its worldwide advertising trends report, Global AdView Pulse.

Procter & Gamble, Unilever and General Motors are the top three advertisers on the list.  Others include healthcare and beauty companies, telecommunications companies, food and beverage manufacturers, retailers and companies from the entertainment sector.

“There is fairly strong evidence showing that companies which increase their ad spend in a financial downturn experience exponential increases in their ROI,” said Michele Strazzera, deputy managing director of Global AdView. “With the full effects of the financial meltdown having been felt in Q408, when results from this quarter come to hand it will be interesting to see the impact on the ad industry.”