eMarketer: mobile ads set to explode

In 2006 mobile marketing efforts brought in $123 million. Looking ahead, forecasts predict that mobile marketing will bring in more than $3.5 billion, globally, in 2011.

This increase in spending is understandable when mobile usage is taken into account. According to a recent report from Deloitte & Touche about 40% of Americans are watching television via online platforms. Many of them watch through mobile devices. In addition to watching television programming, Americans are increasingly logging on to mobile social networks, setting up profiles and connecting with friends via their mobile phones.

With so many users logging on it stands to reason that advertisers would also begin pushing more ad dollars into the third screen.

Much of the mobile spend is focused on mobile messaging. Mobile message advertising is expected to reach $12 billion by 2011, up from $1.5 billion in 2006.

Local mobile search could also become a larger player in the mobile realm.

Tags: mobile advertising, mobile messaging, SMS advertising