Willie O'Reilly: Getting in early on ad spots will pay off for the big spend

National advertising and hospitality advertising is likely to come back strongly, but local businesses may hold out until autumn to assess their return to marketing

The local advertising sector slumped during the pandemic, estimates suggest by up to 70 per cent.

At last there is a feeling that the country is opening up again, permanently. With the number of vaccinated increasing and hospital numbers falling, there are grounds for optimism.

Nothing is guaranteed of course, but the general health strategy – better a careful exit from lockdown than a rise in infections rate through the summer – seems to be working.

In general business has, grudgingly, taken the message on board. Despite damaged revenue and an ...