Which Companies Spend the Most on Advertising?

Big companies spend large amounts on advertising to help keep their brands top-of-mind among consumers.

Advertising is a strategy companies use to communicate with their customers -- and ultimately sell their products. Advertising expenditures from 2008 to 2009 decreased 9 percent, according to Nielsen Company. However, several companies in various industries -- such as telecommunications, consumer products, automotive, media and pharmaceutical -- continue to maintain large advertising budgets.

Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble, also known as "P & G," spent the most money on advertising in the United States in 2009 -- $4.18 billion -- according to AdAge. Procter & Gamble is the largest consumer products company in the world. They are the parent company for brands such as Gillette, Olay, Cover Girl, Pantene and Tide.

Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications is a telecommunications company that provides wireless service to millions of Americans. It spent more than $3 billion on advertising in 2009.

AT&T

AT&T is Verizon Communications' biggest competitor in the telecommunications industry. The company spent nearly $2.8 billion in advertising in 2009.

General Motors

General Motors, or GM, is the second largest car manufacturer in the world and the largest in the United States. It boasts a portfolio of brands that includes Chevy, Buick, GMC and Cadillac. In 2009, GM spent $2.2 billion on advertising -- $923 million on Chevy alone.

Pfizer

Pfizer is the largest pharmaceutical company in the world. The company spent nearly $2.1 billion on advertising in 2009, according to AdAge. (Reference 2) Pfizer produces major drugs like Lipitor, Viagra, Chantix and Pristiq. Of these, Lipitor has the largest advertising budget with $247 million.

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson is a pharmaceutical, health-care and consumer products giant that produces products such as Neutrogena, Tylenol and Aveeno. It spent $2.06 billion on advertising in 2009.

Walt Disney Company

Walt Disney Co. is an entertainment and media conglomerate that spent $2 billion on advertising in 2009. Disney has brands like Walt Disney Pictures, Disney Video and the television networks ESPN and ABC.

Time Warner Company

Time Warner Co., a media company that includes brands like Warner Brothers Movies, Time Warner Video, HBO, TNT and Sports Illustrated, spent $1.8 billion on advertising in 2009. Warner Brothers Movies spent $727 million alone.

L'Oreal

L'Oreal is one of the largest cosmetic product manufacturers in the world. It spent $1.8 billion on advertising in 2009. L'Oreal's portfolio of brands includes L'Oreal Paris, Garnier, Maybelline New York, Lancome and Ralph Lauren/Polo.

Kraft Foods

Kraft Foods is a food manufacturer that spent $1.7 billion on advertising in 2009. Its brands include Kraft, Oscar Meyer, Crystal Light, Trident and Ritz.

References

• KISSmetrics: Which U.S. brands are spending the most on advertising?
• AdAge: Database of 100 Leading National Advertisers
• Nielsen: U.S. Ad Spend Falls Nine Percent in 2009, Nielsen Says