Click above to download our annual tracking study, now in its third year, commissioned by Collective Media and conducted by Sterling Research Group, provides valuable insight into the trends that are occurring in the ad network space specifically and the online advertising marketplace as a whole.

Close to 500 online surveys were completed this year by online media decision makers including advertisers and agencies as well as publishers holding inventory.

Online ad revenue in the U.S. surpassed $23 billion in 2008, making it the 5th consecutive year of record results and represents a 10.6% increase over 2007. Display advertising accounted for $7.6 billion, increasing 8% over 2007, accounting for 33% of total online ad revenue. While most other media sectors exhibited weakness for the period, Internet display advertising continues to show strength as online programs continue to expand.

Moreover, ad networks continue to be a viable solution for agencies and advertisers to specifically target and reach their intended markets with utmost efficiency. Other highlights of this important study by Collective Media:

Continued Growth in Brand Advertising for Ad Networks: Over half of respondents continue to work with ad networks for both branding and direct marketing plans. At the same time, there was a statistically significant decrease from 2007 to 2009 in those using ad networks only for direct marketing plans. This implies that more marketers are using networks strictly for branding.

Short List of Ad Network Partners: Over 70 percent of respondents surveyed work with only one or two trusted ad networks on an average media plan.

Ad Exchanges Won’t Replace Ad Networks: The overwhelming majority of respondents (85%) did not work with exchanges, and only 7 percent believe exchanges will replace ad networks.

Our 2010 study is underway right now, and greatly expands its scope to cover the emerging trends and technologies in the ad network ecosystem. Click below to sign up to receive a free copy of the report when it gets released later this year.