Advertising Forecast for 2021

This chart tells the story of a marketing world flipped on its head. By 2021, over half of all ad dollars were headed online, leaving TV and print looking old-school.

What’s happening here

The internet isn’t just another channel, it’s the channel. At 52% of spending, it’s where brands chase eyeballs, data, and instant feedback loops. Television still holds its spot for reach, but the rest? Fighting for crumbs.

Why this works

• Online ads are trackable and fast to iterate
• Dollars follow attention, and attention lives on screens
• Social platforms offer micro-targeting that traditional media can’t match
• Digital creative is cheaper to produce and test

Real-world proof

• Facebook and Google took over 60% of global digital ad revenue in 2021
• TikTok ad spend jumped 164% year-over-year
• Amazon’s ad business doubled to $31B in revenue that year