Hong Kong – Despite slowing exports in Q2 2008, the pace of China’s economic growth remains robust – with full-year GDP likely to expand by 10%. According to Media Partners Asia, economic activity in key sectors remains strong with 15 – 25% average annualized growth in retail sales, industrial production and fixed asset investment. Media buyer and strategist GroupM has indicated that total advertising expenditure will climb by 22% in 2008 and by 19% in 2009, with TV, online and OOH media benefiting. Group M estimates that CCTV could add about RMB3 billion in advertising this year from its broadcast of the Beijing Olympics. But the national broadcaster continues to face competition from provincial satellite channels, which (post-Olympics) are expected to increase their share of the TV ad pie from 23% to 27% by 2009. CCTV is expected to see a 60% uplift in ad sales this year and then marginal growth in 2009. Provincial satellite broadcasters could grow ad revenues by more than 25% this year and close to 40% in 2008, says GroupM. Even without the Olympics, MPA report that organic growth is strong for a number of media owners, especially those operating in online and OOH media. Online advertising is expected to grow by about 50% this year to claim 8% of the total ad pie, boosted by growing internet usage, expanding broadband household penetration (MPA forecast 20% by end-2008) and cost effectiveness