Spending on Spanish Language and African-American media declined 4.7% and 7.3%, respectively, in 2009, according to figures released today by The Nielsen Company. The declines are consistent with the trend in overall advertising, although the drops aren’t as deep. Last month, Nielsen reported that ad spending fell nine percent in 2009, despite significant increases in Cable TV.

The 2010 Nielsen Automotive Advertising Awards will be held March 31st at the New York International Auto Show.

Recently, Nielsen launched the TV advertising effectiveness solution Nielsen IAG in the U.K. and published its inaugural U.K. data on the most memorable TV ads for the period Jan. 25 through Feb. 21.

U.S. ad spending was down for the sixth straight quarter, despite signs that the decline is slowing, according to preliminary figures released today by The Nielsen Company. All told, advertisers spent an estimated $117 billion on U.S. media in 2009, down 9% from 2008.

Freestyle skiing, which includes men’s and women’s moguls competition, was the most popular Olympic sport among U.S. TV weekend viewers through February 15, according to a minute-by-minute analysis of viewing conducted by The Nielsen Company.

There was plenty of buzz about the commercials during Super Bowl XLIV, but many brands also received audience exposure during the game with in-stadium, scoreboard, or other brand placement.

TV ads airing in last year’s Daytona 500 were 26% more likely to be recalled by viewers than those who saw the ad run elsewhere.

In demographic analysis of Super Bowl ads, Nielsen uncovers which brands performed best with male and female audiences.

A Doritos commercial featuring two men attacked in a gym for stealing someone else’s Doritos was seen by an estimated 116.2 million viewers last Super Bowl Sunday, making it the most watched television commercial of all time.

“The early buzz data makes one thing clear — controversy drives conversation,” said Pete Blackshaw, executive vice president of digital strategy at The Nielsen Company.