Driven by strong economic performances and rapidly improving consumer confidence levels in the first quarter of 2010, media advertising activity across 12 Asia Pacific markets surged by 18% – the second consecutive quarter of positive growth.

While it’s still nice to stop by a store to touch and see products, the convenience of online shopping can’t be beat. And for some services, such as booking travel or buying concert tickets, the ability to do so online has made the process much easier and more efficient.

Hany Mwafy, Managing Director North Africa and James Russo, Vice President Global Consumer Insights presented today at Nielsen’s Consumer 360 conference on how the center of gravity is shifting away from North America and Europe. In the decades to come, emerging economies will deliver more growth – and more profits.

While television is still the dominant media platform in China (the average home spends 6X as much watching TV as accessing the Internet), nearly half the households in the pilot study went online while watching TV.

In a sign that the world is recovering from a “Great Recession,” consumer confidence levels have reached pre-downturn levels in some countries, according to the latest edition of the Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index.

China’s growth in online advertising continues at a quick pace, reaching 4.06 billion RMB in the first quarter of 2010 – a 52.7% increase over the same period in 2009.

Nearly eight in 10 Chinese automobile owners showed intention to purchase an electric vehicle. Environmental and economic advantages play an important role in the buying decision.

The potential of China is unmatched. However, marketers must not make assumptions about the demographic makeup of the population based on what they see in other countries, for China is substantially different.

Chinese consumer confidence continues to build going into 2010, up three points since the third quarter of 2009 and reaching highs not seen since the second half of 2007

Nielsen’s regional experts share insights on confidence, media trends, and what next for the increasingly diverse, demanding, and connected global consumer.