Canadian newspaper execs are slightly more upbeat than their US counterparts about the ad revenues in the coming year.

A report by Toronto-based Kubas Consultants found that “”Canadian newspapers, however, may be the exception, due to their distinctly optimistic outlook on ad revenues. The economy may be better north of the border, but not that much better.”

But execs on both sides of the border are looking to the Internet to shore up the bottom line, with study calling online the “one bright star in what is otherwise a gloomy night.”

Some of the other emerging trends are shared with newspapers in the UK, such as hyperlocal coverage, user-generated content and greater use of video.