Dec. 7, 2006, TORONTO - According to comScore Media Metrix, over 22 million Canadians use the Internet every month. For Canadians, the Internet has become an irreplaceable medium for both business and consumer communication, networking, research and product purchase. In the last year alone, the number of people Online in Canada has grown by 14 percent.

Not surprisingly, advertisers are following the consumer and dedicating more of their advertising budgets to Interactive media. In fact, the IAB has estimated that in 2006, Canadian Online Advertising Revenue will top $800 million dollars.

On behalf of an Interactive industry that is currently enjoying prosperity — but which certainly has seen, and been through rough times — IAB Canada agreed to provide Canada’s National Advertising Benevolent Society (NABS), with $250, for every billion minutes spent Online in the month of September 2006.

Historically, between 37-38 billion minutes have been spent Online by Canadians at this time of the year. IAB Canada is pleased to announce that the actual number for time spent Online by Canadians in September 2006 (one of the three highest months of the year), was a whopping 45,776* billion minutes! As a result, IAB Canada will be writing a cheque for $11,444.00 to NABS.

“This is a good news story for everybody,” says Paula Gignac, President of IAB Canada. “It’s proof again, that the Internet continues to be of paramount importance for all sorts of day-to-day activities, for all sorts of Canadian age groups and consumer cohorts. And, as the 2006 September number is a full 20 percent bigger than 2005 estimates, it’s also proof that consumers’ passion for the medium has not waned, and that the Internet still has loads of untapped potential for advertisers. Finally, we’re extremely happy to tie this growth to a donation to NABS, in order to keep the industry that develops creative for, produces, plans, buys and sells the medium, healthy as well.”

“It’s great to see IAB Canada taking a leadership position by supporting industry colleagues, while highlighting the growing importance of Online advertising,” says Mike Fenton, President and CEO of NABS Canada. “Thanks to all IAB members and the Association, who will be recognized in our ‘Friends of NABS’ donor recognition program for this financial support.”

*Verified by comScore Media Metrix Canada, and represents the time spent for All Canadians in the All Locations Database for Sept. 2006.