Online marketing communications in Russia have experienced a surge in financial backing since the beginning of 2008, Lenta.ru reported Saturday.

Total marketing spend for the entire year will be between US$1.04 billion to $1.48 billion, market analysis firm Tagline predicted at the annual Russian Internet Week. By the end of this year, media advertising is expected to receive an investment ranging from $285 million to $390 million.

Between $320 million and $450 million is predicted to be spent on contextual ads, while search engines will see investment ranging from $250 million to $400 million, Lenta.ru reported.

Web development is expected to earn between $160 million to $200 million. Consulting, Web-based PR, corporate blogs and content production will receive a collective backing of $25 million to $35 million, Tagline predicted, according to Lenta.ru.

Tagline's analysis is based on a study of 600 companies, including interviews with the businesses themselves and information acquired through open sources.