Display ad revenue grew 17.2 percent to $8.4 billion over the first nine months of 2007, according to TNS Media Intelligence’s latest findings. The numbers further demonstrate the relative strength of online advertising amid economic weakness and a soft ad market in general. But TNS’ report also provides more evidence of slowing growth, as the researcher’s 2006 Jan.-Sept. numbers, show display rising 17.9 percent to $7.1 billion.

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In TNS’ six-month review earlier this year, we noted H107 was up 17.7 percent to $5.52 billion; in H106, ad spend gained 18.9 percent.

Since TNS doesn’t review paid search, it’s hard to get a full picture of digital ad spending from these figures. With that in mind, the share of ad expenditures captured by display continues to grow, comprising 7.7 percent of spending during the nine-month period; in 2006, that portion of the internet’s share was 6.6 percent and in 2005, it was 5.8 percent. Release