Forecast: Digital to overtake print.

Online revenues surpassed radio in 2007, now three years later newspaper may well be beat.  A forecast from the research firm Outsell projects companies will spend $119.6 billion on online and digital this year, compared to $111.5 billion for newspaper and magazine ads.  That’s despite a forecast 2% gain for magazines.  It also says good things about radio.

The Burlingame, CA-based firm says radio and television media will see growth this year, in part from broadcasters’ embrace of digital and mobile marketing.   “Advertisers are directing dollars toward the channels which generate the most qualified leads and most effective branding,” Outsell analyst Chuck Richard says.  “As they emerge from the recession, they need more accountability, and they’re spreading their spending over a widening set of options.”  The firm based its findings on a December survey of more than 1,000 advertisers.