That's how much marketers supposedly spent on word of mouth marketing programs in 2006, according to a study by PQ Media.

The study, which is being formally released today at the WOMMA(womma.org)summit today in Las Vegas, was the lead story today in AdAge.com.  The study also reports that this figure is likely to increase to $3.7 billion by 2011.

I'm thrilled seeing the attention that our industry is getting -- and the seriousness in which it is now being given as an impactful and measurable marketing discipline.  The excitement at the WOMMA  event is notable, as people talk about everything from buzz marketing to managing negative word of mouth and online communities.   This is getting to be a lot of fun.