More marketers are looking towards the internet in an attempt to target audiences with their brands, products and services.

According to figures released by the Online Marketing show, some 20 per cent of respondents invest over half of their total marketing budget into internet-based techniques - about twice the number of those surveyd last year.

Event director for Online Marketing 2007 Sally Pugmire said: "We've been overwhelmed by the commitment to online shown in the survey results."

The study also indicated social media and online PR are the two areas of online marketing set for most investment over the coming year, replacing previous frontrunning techniques mobile advertising and search engine optimisation (SEO).

"Marketers are taking areas such as social media, online PR, SEO and paid search very seriously when considering their budgets," Ms Pugmire added.

Earlier this week, an eMarketer survey indicated that brand marketers are increasingly looking utilise online advertising that incorporates an element of behavioural targeting in an attempt to attract users.