New York, NY (September 10, 2003) Total magazine advertising revenue for the month of August increased 8.9% compared to August of last year, closing at $1,174,198,505, according to Publishers Information Bureau (PIB). Ad pages for August totaled 14,294.9, down 2.9% from last year.  Year-to-date, advertising revenue closed at $10,932,349,112, an increase of 9.6%, and ad pages were 138,195.67, up 1.1% from last year.   August 2003 vs. 2002 Nine of the 12 major advertising categories experienced growth in ad revenue over August 2002, while five major categories recorded ad page increases. Automotive, Drugs & Remedies, Retail, Technology, and Toiletries & Cosmetics posted both revenue and page gains in August 2003. Direct Response; Financial, Insurance & Real Estate; and Public Transportation, Hotels & Resorts recorded the largest declines in revenues and pages. (Twelve categories are the most significant contributors to PIB revenue, comprising more than 85% of total advertising spending.) January – August 2003 vs. 2002 Nine of the 12 major advertising categories sustained dollar gains for the year-to-date comparison, while six categories saw growth in ad pages. Ad page and revenue increases were seen in Apparel & Accessories, Automotive, Drugs & Remedies, Home Furnishings & Supplies, Retail and Toiletries & Cosmetics. Direct Response; Financial, Insurance & Real Estate; and Public Transportation, Hotels & Resorts experienced declines in both dollars and pages, year-to-date. “Strong performances by major categories including Automotive, Drugs & Remedies and Toiletries & Cosmetics continue to drive magazine advertising,” stated Ellen Oppenheim, Executive Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer, MPA.  “We are heartened that Automotive, gearing up for 2004 models, is now in its 16th straight month of increased magazine spending.  Financial, Insurance & Real Estate and Public Transportation, Hotels & Resorts – categories that are more economically and politically sensitive – continue to experience softness this year.”