In a report released today, ZenithOptimedia's UK international HQ predicts that in 2008 - thanks to the Olympic Games, the US presidential elections and European football - global ad expenditure will grow 6.7%, up from 5.3% this year.

Other projections in ZO's report:

• Between 2007 and 2010, Internet adspend will grow 69%, raising its market share from 8.1% to 11.5%;

• The Internet will overtake magazines by 2010, becoming the world's third-largest ad medium;

• By 2010, China will be the fourth-largest advertising market, and Russia will be sixth;

• Developing markets have taken over as the main contributors to global growth, compensating for slow growth in developed markets.

The complete report is available at www.zenithoptimedia.com.

Corus Radio's AM730 in Vancouver has launched a year-long partnership with Outdoor Broadcast Network (OBN) that will see the all-traffic-all-the-time station's coverage streaming directly to the city's busy commuter traffic.

OBN's video boards will display AM730 traffic updates and breaking news in real time at major hubs in the Greater Vancouver Area - including three prime locations: BC Place, Hwy 99 and Hwy 91. The message will drive commuters to tune in to the station, which also provides traffic updates to Corus Radio's CKNW News-Talk/980, 99.3 The Fox and Classic Rock 101.

AM730 program director Ian Koenigsfest says the move provides a community safety service while complementing the station's coverage.

OBN's national network currently delivers a weekly audience of over 13 million (in Vancouver, Victoria, Chilliwack, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Windsor, Niagara Falls, Cambridge, Hamilton and Toronto).

www.am730traffic.com

Sticking gum to clean clothes might not seem like a good idea at first blush. But that's what Wrigley Canada is doing in a sampling promotion in Vancouver and Toronto.

Partnering with Toronto's Mango Moose Media agency, the North York, Ont.-HQ'd company is attaching 100,000 samples of its Freedent Total whitening gum to the plastic wrapping on newly cleaned duds at dry cleaning establishments in Vancouver and Toronto until the end of the year.

"This niche media for dry cleaner advertising places (the client's) gum directly into the hands of a professional demographic in a manner that can't be ignored," Mango Moose account manager Patrick Mazza tells MiC.

Creative for the campaign - consisting of a smile-festooned necktie - was done by Leo Burnett, and media buys were handled by OMD Canada, both of Toronto.