Web Emerges As Top Business Info Source For Execs

The Internet is the most important source of business information for top executives around the globe, according to a recent study.

Forbes.com and Gartner announced Wednesday that executives are increasingly using the Internet for information, while newspaper consumption declines in importance. The study found that 67% of executives seek business information on the Web, compared with 37% in 2004. Seventy percent of executives surveyed in January said the Web is their most important source of information.

The number of senior executives who get on the Web rather than read the newspaper with their morning coffee rose by 22% since 2004, while those who prefer the paper first thing in the morning dropped 11% during the same period.

The number of top executives who say their primary source of information comes from newspapers, like The Wall Street Journal, has dropped by 36% since 2004, according to the study.

While media consumption on the Web has risen, executives also said they rely on the Internet for the most informative ads, shopping, and research.

"This study further underscores our belief that the highly desirable C-level executive audience will continue to increase its use of the Internet as a primary source of business information, while newspaper consumption for business purposes will continue to decline," Jim Spanfeller, CEO and president of Forbes.com, said in a statement.

The survey is based on responses from executives recruited from Forbes.com and InsightExpress. Researchers weighted the results to reflect U.S. Census records regarding company size, annual revenue, sector, and industry.