In an optimistic forecast, the online ad-trackers at eMarketer project that their medium will shrug off the mortgage crisis and thrive in tough times on the measurability of pay-per-click media. Here is the lead: 

“EMARKETER IS FORECASTING U.S. ONLINE ad spending to reach almost $28 billion in 2008–with the market buoyed by the presidential election and the Beijing Olympics, among other factors. That’s up nearly 29% from this year. ” (read story).