New York, NY (January 9, 2002) — Total magazine advertising revenue for the month of December increased 20.1% compared to December of last year, closing at $ 1,595,697,753, according to Publishers Information Bureau (PIB). Ad pages for December totaled 20,665.74, up 10.7% from last year. Year-to-date, advertising revenue closed at $ 16,689,292,164, an increase of 4.8%, and ad pages were 225,619.57, at -3.2% from last year. December 2002 vs. 2001 Eleven of the top twelve major advertising categories experienced an increase in advertising revenue over December 2001. Considerable gains were seen in Drugs & Remedies, Toiletries & Cosmetics and Technology. Nine of twelve categories saw an increase in ad pages, with notable gains in Toiletries & Cosmetics, Automotive, Technology and Drugs & Remedies. (Twelve categories are the most significant contributors to PIB revenue, comprising more than 85% of total advertising spending.) January - December 2002 vs. 2001 Eight out of the twelve major advertising categories sustained dollar gains for the year-to-date comparison. These categories included Drugs & Remedies, Household Furnishings & Supplies and Food & Food Products. Half of twelve categories recorded gains in ad pages last year, most significantly in Drug & Remedies. The Technology category experienced the most dramatic decrease in pages in 2002. "We are pleased that 2002 ended on a positive note," commented Ellen Oppenheim, Executive Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer, MPA. "It is heartening to see the continued return of advertiser confidence." Enhanced and expanded PIB information is now available on www.magazine.org/PIB. Magazine Publishers of America is the industry association for the consumer magazine business.  Established in 1919, the MPA represents more than 240 domestic publishing companies with approximately 1,400 titles, more than 80 international companies and more than 100 associate service providers.  Staffed by magazine industry specialists, the MPA is headquartered in New York City, with an office of government affairs based in Washington, D.C.