Merrill Lynch Sees Slight Ad Spending Rise In '07

Next year should prove interesting--ad-wise. After pulling out of this year's upfront market, AOL looks to be pulling out of advertising altogether, according to an influential Wall Street analyst. The good news--predicted 2007 increases in auto and telecom spending. Overall, Merrill Lynch predicts U.S. ad spending will inch up 2.6% next year, but that car makers will spend significantly to rebuild their brands.