| top advertising categories |
| | 2001 spending (in millions) | change vs. 00 |
| 1. | automotive | $1,717.0 | -4.2% |
| 2. | direct response companies | $1,511.7 | 7.5% |
| 3. | medicine and proprietary remedies | $1,125.1 | 3.5% |
| 4. | media and advertising | $1,007.8 | -18.6% |
| 5. | computers, software, internet | $863.3 | -39.3% |
| 6. | public transportation, hotels, resorts | $799.6 | -0.5% |
| 7. | retail | $786.8 | -20.7% |
| 8. | cosmetics and beauty aids | $786.2 | 15.6% |
| 9. | financial | $751.7 | -22.8% |
| 10. | ready-to-wear | $583.0 | -6.5% |
| 11. | dairy, produce, meat, bakery goods | $395.9 | 17.3% |
| 12. | audio and video equipment | $330.9 | -3.1% |
| 13. | misc. services and amusements | $324.5 | -12.3% |
| 14. | liquor | $313.0 | 6.2% |
| 15. | personal hygiene and health | $304.2 | 2.6% |
| 16. | jewelry and watches | $301.6 | 4.0% |
| 17. | insurance and real estate | $293.3 | 0.1% |
| 18. | sporting goods | $280.0 | 4.8% |
| 19. | hair products and accessories | $274.2 | 19.9% |
| 20. | household furnishings, accessories | $274.2 | -4.7% |
