WASHINGTON. Dec 11: Advertising expenditures rose seven per cent this year and should go up Just as much next year for the third rise in as many years, according te industry analysts, reports AFP

US advertising expenditures, which equal some one-half of advertising costs worldwide, rose 7.7 per cent this year to a tqtal of 161.5 billion dollars, said Robert Cohen. Vice President at the advertising giant McCann I Erickson.

Next year, expenditures are expected to rise 7.8 per cent to a total of 174.1 billion dollars, Cohen told a media conference in New York.

Two events that should push up that figure are the Olympic games in Atlanta Georgia, and the presidential election.

Advertising costs should outstrip economic growth for the remainder of the decade, tie said.