Two-thirds of companies intend to spend more cash on internet advertising this year compared with 2009, according to a global report from Econsultancy and ExactTarget.
 
While less than half (46 per cent) of firms plan to increase their marketing overall, the findings also revealed that 70 per cent want to increase their budgets for off-site social media, such as Facebook and Twitter.
 
Meanwhile, more than half of companies are planning to spend more on mobile marketing and the majority will be diverting funds from print media and radio advertising.
 
"The shift from offline to online is in full swing as marketers look to measure direct increases in top line sales, site traffic and improve overall marketing return on investment," commented Morgan Stewart, director of research and strategy at ExactTarget.
 
He went on to say that brand reputation is becoming a significant driver of this shift, as more companies look to enhance their public image through social media.