A recent survey of advertising firms confirms television is dying as a media delivery method. Instead, customers are turning to digital media forms such as social marketing (think Facebook), YouTube and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) campaigns.

Despite the downturn in television advertising, radio is on a growth cycle, likely due to the downturn in the economy forcing small businesses to use cheaper marketing methods.

The survey conducted by STRATA (www.gotostrata.com) revealed the following results:

- TV remained the top advertising choice in the first quarter of 2010, with 41.8% of ad agencies saying their corporate clients are more focused on TV than any other medium. The number was down a whopping 27% from a year ago.

- Internet/digital advertising continues to increase with 68% reporting that their customers are more focused on digital than they were a year ago.

Other key findings of the STRATA survey:

1) 87.5% of advertising firms say they are most likely to use Facebook in client campaigns (followed by Twitter (57.1%) and YouTube (39.3%).

2) 62.5% handle Search/SEM/PPC placements in-house.

3) 67.9% say their digital spend goes toward online display followed closely by social media and PPC/Search/SEM/SEO.

“To advertisers, TV still matters,” said John Shelton, STRATA President/CEO. “But just as radio gave way to television, we can see that TV is slowly giving way to digital. The good news for TV stations and networks — for now – is that they remain the dominant medium. Our survey taps into the perception that digital has its limitations in reach and effectiveness and must still be used with traditional media like TV. But the trend is clear.”

“To us, our survey further signals the end of the recession,” added Mr. Shelton. “This isn’t just positive news for the advertising industry; it’s a broader, more positive sign of a recovering economy.”

Lieffel Mikin, Contributing Author – HowToMarketYourBusinessNow.com