Indian ad market to grow by +12.5 per cent in 2018: Magna Global

The advertising market in India is expected to grow by +12.5 per cent in 2018 as per Magna Global's advertising forecast.

According to the report, 2017 was a roller-coaster ride because of two radical economic initiatives - currency exchange and the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax. Both were aimed at modernising the economy and the tax system but created short-term disruption. However there is now consensus building on the recovery from these temporary disruptions and IMF forecasting the growth to rebound in 2018 to 7.4 per cent and 7.8 per cent in 2019 (6.7 per cent in 2017) is a positive sign for the market. India remains the fastest-growing market among large developing countries in Asia. Meanwhile consumer price inflation will accelerate, from +3.6 per cent in 2017 to +5 per cent in 2018 and 2019.

On the back of a good monsoon, the higher minimum support price for crops has increased the farm income and thereby boosting consumption in rural markets. Consumers will also benefit from the lower tax incidence post GST. This rationalises FMCG, Retail and Automobile categories investments in these markets. Government push for finance banks in small towns and infrastructure spending will aid durable category to increase penetration. Digital infrastructure is helping e-commerce expansion to smaller markets and making it easy for brands to reach out to this consumer set. In this context, Magna escalates its autumn projection slightly from +12.1 per cent to +12.5 per cent in 2018. The ad market re-accelerates, after slowing down to single-digit growth (+9.8 per cent) in 2017.

S Venkatesh, EVP, director intelligence, Magna, says in a press release, “India advertising sales reached INR 600 billion in 2017 ($9.3bn) and will grow to INR 680 billion this year ($10.4bn). Anticipate even stronger growth in 2019 due to the combination of an accelerating economy, broader access to digital media, general elections and Cricket World Cup.”

Digital provides impetus to overall growth by contributing close to 40 per cent of the incremental advertising rupee. Digital represents 19 per cent of total advertising budgets currently and will touch a quarter share of media growing at CAGR of +22.6 per cent by 2022. Retail, BFSI, FMCG, Telecom and Auto are major contributors to the growth. In 2018, the medium will grow +27 per cent. As massive increase in smartphone users and data consumption is witnessed, the market unanimously looks forward to digital ratings (EKAM) from the TV ratings body (BARC).

Television remains insulated from temporary economic policy implementation hiccups thanks to continued support from FMCG advertisers. TV still represents a significant 40 per cent share of total budget growing at +12.2 per cent in 2018. Furthermore, while digital takes the headline in every forecast, Television through 2022 will expand at CAGR of +11.9 per cent and holding onto its share.

Print media struggled the maximum in 2017 with both newspapers and magazines advertising sales declining significantly (+2.4 per cent in 2017 Vs 6.2 per cent in the previous year) because of the structural reforms. However in 2018, the medium will see significant growth expansion as the market recovers. Elections in large states, as national polls loom political parties are setting the stage for the aggressive campaigning and government spending on publicity will push the print growth to +6.1 per cent. The war between print and digital intensifies and by 2022 both will draw equal share of advertising budgets.

Radio will be the third fastest growing media with a five-year CAGR of 11 per cent through 2022. Broadcasters have started launching stations won during Phase III auction and this will expand the listenership base and revenues will go up both organic and in-organic terms.

While OOH will see high single digit growth of +8.7 per cent, medium continues to be data scarce and shall remain a 3-4 per cent share media. Government’s thrust towards infrastructure growth in T2 and T3 cities will widen the OOH landscape