It’s interesting to know that, despite all the attention online advertising is receiving these days, outdoor advertising billboards, park bench ads, and others is soaring.

The latest figures are tough to beat. According industry trade groups, revenues in outdoor advertising rose about 8% to almost $3.8 billion in the U.S. during the first half of 2007. That puts it on pace to match the increases seen in 2005 and 2006,  according to Reuters.

The MediaFile blog of Reuters also published a breakdown of the top categories from the Outdoor Advertising Association of America:

1. Misc. Services and Amusements: $581 million
2. Insurance and Real Estate: $382 million
3. Public Transportation, Hotels and Resorts: $326 million
4. Communications: $311 million
5. Media and Advertising: $307 million
6. Retail: $296 million
7. Restaurants: $232 million
8. Financial: $217 million
9. Automotive Dealers and Services: $199 million
10. Automotive Equipment: $180 million