I recently attended Advertising Week DC 2011 where respected industry experts discussed topics such as mobile technologies and social networks as they relate to advertising and marketing. The biggest takeaway this year: the rise and coming dominance of mobile.

In today’s world, with increasing use of smartphones and tablets, people are always connected, making mobile advertising extremely important. And, it’s effective⎯mobile banners have a 10% higher click-through rate than online banner ads.

Some contributing factors: Many people are getting smartphones for the first time. They are downloading apps⎯the average user has 45⎯and they are rediscovering brands with their phone. And, instead of pulling out the old laptop, many are resorting to their newly-dubbed “couch companion,” their tablet, for email, social networking, and surfing the web.

A third of all Americans over the age of 13 own smartphones and more than a third of smartphone users check their phone before getting out of bed in the morning and climbing back in at night.

Check out AdWeekDC for more information about the event, and about mobile advertising.