In 2006 out-of-home advertising has become the second fastest advertising medium behind online adverts. Mediapost reports that revenue rose 8.6% in the first 9 months of 2006 and now tops $5.1 billion for the industry. That growth for the year is well above the average across the board. As Stephen Freitas, president of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, notes: “Out-of-home remains the second-fastest-growing ad segment behind the Internet.”

Local advertising services and amusements top the leaders in outdoor advertising this year with a 24.7% growth over the first nine months of 2006. Insurance and real estate shot up a staggering 25.4% while communications came up a little behind at 24%.