Singapore — Advertising revenue worldwide is projected to grow by 8.8 per cent in 2025, reaching US$1.14 trillion, according to the annual year-end report by WPP.
The forecast, published on December 10, 2025, highlights continued resilience in the advertising market amid technological shifts and evolving economic conditions, with the Asia Pacific region remaining a significant contributor to the global advertising landscape.
While the report’s detailed regional breakdown extends across the world’s top markets, analysts note that APAC’s vibrant and diverse economies, including China, Japan, India, Australia, and emerging Southeast Asian markets, underpin a substantial share of advertising revenue growth. This cements Asia Pacific’s status as one of the industry’s largest regional markets.
Additionally, the forecast provided that the global advertising market is expected to sustain momentum into 2026, with a projected growth rate of 7.1 per cent (excluding U.S. political advertising). Over the next five years, the industry is also anticipated to register a compound annual growth rate of 6.3 per cent as it adapts to new technologies and changing consumer behaviours.
The report also points to several transformative trends shaping the advertising ecosystem. Among these is the ongoing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), which is increasingly integrated into media planning, measurement, and content creation, driving both efficiency and innovation. It also identifies shifts in consumer engagement patterns, with streaming video, retail-linked media, and creator-driven content emerging as dynamic forces in the marketplace.
One notable finding highlighted in the forecast is the projected rise of commerce-related advertising channels, which are expected to generate approximately US$178.2 billion in revenue in 2025, surpassing total television advertising revenues for the first time. This underscores the growing importance of direct-to-consumer and retail media formats as advertisers seek new avenues for engagement.
The report’s framework for future success, introduced in the report, emphasises capabilities around data, AI, and distribution, signalling that the future of advertising is likely to be highly personalised, pervasive, and proactive. The organisation plans to release additional details on this “Future of Advertising Intelligence Framework” at CES in January 2026.
As global markets adjust to the interplay of technological innovation and macroeconomic trends, Asia Pacific’s advertising sector is expected to continue playing a central role in industry expansion, supported by strong consumer demand and rapid digital adoption across the region.
