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.

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.

According to the most recent Nielsen Global Online Survey, 97 percent of Indians consider the safety of food an important factor when deciding where to shop.

The latest version of Nielsen’s Economic current shows signs of recovery, specifically in markets like China, India, Hong Kong and Brazil.

Nearly half (44%) of the class of 2010 of India’s management graduates want to work in the fast moving consumer goods sector (FMCG), according to the latest Nielsen Campus Track-B Schools Survey. The sector was also identified as the “industry of the future.”

Global consumers are increasingly feeling confident about the economy and their finances. While Asia is leading the rebound, signs point to improved consumer behavior in other parts of the world.

For consumers in India, the quality of a mobile phone provider’s network is the most important factor when choosing a carrier, according to the latest edition of the Nielsen Consumer Experience Mobile Test Program.

Many economists believe that Asia has been at the forefront of the global economic recovery, and new research from The Nielsen Company indicates that in terms of advertising spend, the recovery is in full swing in a large part of the region.