New York, NY (November 12, 2003) Total magazine advertising revenue for October 2003 increased 6.6% compared to October of last year, closing at $1,795,416,950, according to Publishers Information Bureau (PIB). Ad pages for October totaled 21,852.59, down 3.2% from last year.  Year-to-date, advertising revenue closed at $14,668,887,032, an increase of 8.7%, and ad pages were 184,006.82, down 0.2% from last year. “While we’re pleased that some major categories, especially Drugs & Remedies and Home Furnishings & Supplies, exhibited strength in October, concerns over the war and economy affected advertiser confidence during the summer when most decisions for this month were made,” stated Ellen Oppenheim, Executive Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer, Magazine Publishers of America.   October 2003 vs. 2002 Eight of the 12 major advertising categories experienced growth in ad revenue over October 2002, most notably Apparel & Accessories; Drugs & Remedies; and Home Furnishings & Supplies.  Six of the major categories registered declines in pages, including Direct Response, Food & Food Products and Media & Advertising. (Twelve categories are the most significant contributors to PIB revenue, comprising more than 85% of total advertising spending.) January – October 2003 vs. 2002 Nine of the 12 major advertising categories sustained dollar gains for the year-to-date comparison, while five categories saw growth in ad pages. Ad page and revenue increases were seen in Apparel & Accessories, Automotive, Drugs & Remedies, Home Furnishings & Supplies and Toiletries & Cosmetics. Direct Response; Financial, Insurance & Real Estate; and Public Transportation, Hotels & Resorts experienced declines in both dollars and pages, year-to-date.