ZenithOptimedia downgrades global ad spend for 2009 to -9.9%

ZenithOptimedia has revised its global advertising expenditure forecasts down again after a "worse than expected first half of 2009.”Third quarter forecasts published by Publicis Groupe’s media agency network downgrades its global ad spend figures for 2009 for the third successive time this year, from -8.5% forecast in July to -9.9%. This time last year, ZenithOptimedia expected global ad spend to increase 4% in 2009, despite the anticipated economic downturn.