The Kelsey Group Forecasts U.S. Mobile Search Ad Rev Up to $1.4 Billion in 2012

The Kelsey Group, the leading provider of strategic research and analysis, data and competitive metrics on Yellow Pages, electronic directories and local media, forecasts U.S. mobile search advertising revenues to grow from $33.2 million in 2007 to $1.4 billion in 2012, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 112 percent.

"Advertisers in the U.S. are the most aggressive in terms of messaging to potential U.S. consumers," said Matt Booth, senior vice president and program director, Interactive Local Media, The Kelsey Group. "Given the relatively high spend levels, we believe advertisers will continue to look into innovative solutions, including mobile, that demonstrate a clear ROI on ad spend."

The Kelsey Group's mobile search advertising forecast covers:

  • Ad-Sponsored Directory Assistance (Free DA) - Consumers dial a phone for free directory assistance and other local information (examples: 1-800-GOOG411, Jingle Networks).
  • Mobile Internet Ads - Consumers use SMS, WAP, etc., to search or browse the Internet for information (examples: Google Maps, Apple iPhone).
  • Multi-Modal Applications - Carriers and/or consumers opt to put voice-in and data-out products directly on the mobile device (examples: Tellme, V-Enable). Read more.