MEMBERS of the advertising industry said on Thursday that they expect clients to spend around R8,5-billion this year, up 10% from last year, in accordance with hopes for an upturn in the economy. Although the final numbers are not in, the industry estimates between R7,5-billion and R8-billion was spent on advertising in 1999 when the country was in a recession. The SA economy is forecast to grow by about 3,5% this year, up from about 0,9% in 1999, helped by an expected further easing in interest rates in the first quarter of 2000 and a rebound in commodity prices.