ADVERTISING spending in America in 2001 will not grow as fast as had been anticipated as recently as this summer, two leading industry forecasters predicted yesterday.

While some industry forecasters believe that dwindling supplies in the 1990's will push the price up to $22 and beyond, the consortium was not prepared to proceed with the project without a large infusion of Government money.

PREDICTIONS for advertising spending next year from two leading industry forecasters are surprisingly upbeat, as they project gains will be made even after the strong growth anticipated for 2004.

The price surge began when industry forecasters began projecting smaller crops in Central America during the current season, and in South America in the coming season.

In addition, Robert J. Coen of Universal McCann and John Perriss of ZenithOptimedia, two much-watched industry forecasters, this month increased their predictions of domestic ad spending.

He bought control of Blockbuster Entertainment at a time when industry forecasters said the home video market would be wiped out by interactive television.

Well, the rosy predictions for domestic advertising spending just keep on coming from a leading industry forecaster.

The increasing indications that the advertising industry's long recession may be ending were bolstered yesterday by upbeat predictions for 2004 from two leading industry forecasters.

AN increasingly optimistic outlook for growth in advertising spending brightened even further yesterday as two leading industry forecasters presented rosy predictions for 1995 and beyond.

The Keeneland select yearling sales Monday and Tuesday surprised most industry forecasters by posting modest gains over last year's receipts.