Nov. 20 (Bloomberg) -- Focus Media Holding Ltd., China's largest publicly traded advertising company, said third-quarter profit rose 73 percent as General Motors Corp., Apple Inc. and other clients spent more to market their products in the nation.

Net income increased to $46.6 million, or 37 cents per American depositary receipt, from $27 million, or 25 cents, a year earlier, the Shanghai-based company said in a statement distributed by PR Newswire today. Sales more than doubled to $151.4 million from $61.1 million.

Focus Media has acquired companies that market products on Web sites and before films screened at theaters to boost profit. The company already sells ad space on flat-panel televisions in office-building elevators and supermarkets isles. Total ad spending in China may rise 20 percent this year to $44.3 billion, according to researcher CTR Market Research Co.

``They have a great ability to reach white collar workers, which has made them a favorite for cosmetics, car and electronics companies,'' said Stanley Gao, an analyst at Beijing-based researcher Analysys International.

Focus Media was expected to report profit of $45.3 million, the average of four analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Sales were expected to be $133.6 million based on three analysts' estimates.

Fourth-quarter sales may be $160 million to $170 million, the company said today. That compares with the $142.6 million average of three analysts' estimates.

To contact the reporter on this story: John Liu in Shanghai at jliu42@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 19, 2007 18:55 EST