2003 Logs Promising Political, Advocacy Adspend Results

Politicians and special-interest groups spent more than $50 million on TV advertising in the first five months of 2003, slightly higher than what was expected at the beginning of this non-election year, according to TNS Media Intelligence/ CMAG data.

The promising start bodes well for the rest of the year, as 2004 presidential primary spending is expected to kick in this summer. In addition, with campaign-finance reform going before the Supreme Court in the next term and a decision expected in the first quarter, many advocacy groups may rush to the airwaves before then.

“Because of a possible rule change in 2004, I think we may see two ad cycles,” said Evan Tracey, chief operating officer of TNSMI/ CMAG, an Arlington, Va.-based