Chantilly, VA, and Boston - Mar 21, 2011 - According to BIA/Kelsey's U.S. Local Media Annual Forecast (2010-2015), local advertisers continue their steady migration to digital media platforms. BIA/Kelsey expects online/interactive advertising revenues to climb to $42.5 billion by 2015, almost double 2010's $21.7 billion, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.4 percent. This growth coincides with anticipated improvement in the U.S. economy and a continued rise in overall local advertising, which the firm expects will reach $153.5 billion in 2015, up from $136.3 billion in 2010, representing a 2.1 percent CAGR.

As digital media -- delivered to consumers through mobile, Internet or other electronic methods -- continues to gain traction with local advertisers, BIA/Kelsey predicts it will represent 23.6 percent of all local ad spending by 2015.

BIA/Kelsey reports among the key drivers of this year's forecast are: