The story of advertising in 2019 is, at its core, a story of digital migration. As brands poured resources into online platforms, agencies adapted—some with ease, others with urgency. But beneath the headlines and the creative sizzle, analysts and policymakers faced the perennial question: How fast is this shift happening, and where is the momentum strongest? ISIC 7310, the code for advertising agencies, provided an unexpected but essential map.
The first step is cataloging agencies registered under ISIC 7310. Business registries, industry directories, and even licensing authorities offer lists of active agencies in any given region. For a true sense of digital expansion, analysts look for agencies with explicit focus on online services: social media campaigns, programmatic buying, influencer partnerships, or search engine marketing. Sometimes this means reviewing agency websites, project portfolios, or client lists—confirming that the “digital” label is more than just branding.
Next, revenue data comes into play. Annual filings, tax records, or industry surveys often provide turnover numbers for ISIC 7310 firms. By tracking changes year-over-year, analysts can gauge the financial impact of digital pivots. A rapid climb in revenues among agencies specializing in online campaigns may signal regional or sectoral booms. In contrast, flat or declining income could suggest market saturation or increased competition from in-house corporate teams and freelance marketers.
But revenue alone doesn’t reveal market share or reach. That’s where online traffic metrics make a difference. Analysts might pair agency-level data with regional statistics on digital ad impressions, clicks, or conversions—drawn from platforms like Google, Facebook, or local ad tech providers. In some cases, third-party analytics companies track ad spend and engagement rates by geography, giving context to how well agencies are converting opportunity into results.
Benchmarking regional growth requires blending these layers: agency registrations under ISIC 7310, revenue trends, and digital performance indicators. The goal isn’t just to see where the most money is being made, but to understand which regions are becoming true hubs of digital marketing expertise—and where investment or training may be needed to catch up.
There are, of course, blind spots. Smaller agencies may not break out digital from traditional revenues. Not all metrics are publicly reported, and agency self-descriptions can be optimistic. Still, by triangulating between ISIC codes, financial data, and digital engagement, analysts can cut through the noise to see the real story of 2019’s advertising transformation.
What emerges from this approach is not just a snapshot of digital growth, but a set of signposts for what comes next. Regions that built capacity in 2019 found themselves better positioned as the world’s media habits shifted even further online. The combination of structured codes and market intelligence doesn’t just benchmark the past—it helps shape smarter decisions as digital competition continues to accelerate.