Fueled by a big surge in auto advertising, US consumer magazines last year reported their first ad revenue increase since 2007, growing 3.1 percent year over year to $20.1 billion, according to the latest figures from the Publishers Information Bureau.
Ad revenue grew in seven of the top 12 categories, with auto advertising rising 21.9 percent. GM led all auto advertising in magazines, spending $385.4 million, up from $246.5 million in 2009.