America's business elite - senior executives, CEOs and other C-suite officers from mid- to large-size companies, including many from the Fortune 500 - have a ferocious appetite for quality business information, according to the new BE:USA 2007 survey carried out by Ipsos Media.

This group of high powered, highly influential decision makers are very media savvy, acquiring their information from a variety of media sources, including magazines and journals, the Internet, and digital and satellite television. Despite the rise of Internet use, top business leaders still rely on newspapers and magazines for news and information, using a mix of traditional and new media to get the information they need.

"We have a unique opportunity to peek into the minds of corner office America and understand the way they consume and use media," says Hugh White, Director of Ipsos Media in the US. "Ipsos has the only syndicated media global database of any kind. It is an invaluable tool for those that need to understand the business elite as much as the business elite need to understand their own business."

The survey also examines the typical business leader's way of life - showing they travel frequently, spend more nights in hotels, and are heavy users of technology as part of their work life. They also enjoy the perks of their positions in their personal lives; valuing personal luxuries, the latest technical gadgets and a high quality of life with their family and friends. When compared to their European and Asian counterparts, American executives have a greater taste for personal material luxuries and claim a significantly higher net worth.

America's business elite has a healthy appetite for information and media consumption, in particular, when the information helps them make better and more informed business decisions. The Internet is becoming a major source of information, with over two thirds spending more time reading business information on the web than in the past. Although executives view the Internet as being a particularly good source for business news updates, only seven percent are willing to pay for online business news.

Other top level findings from the survey uncovered that:

• Nine in ten have read the last issue of any print media

• Seven in ten have watched any Network TV channel in the previous day

• Six in ten have watched any Cable TV channel in the previous day

• Just over half went online in the previous day

• Seven in ten have received a daily email alert or newsletter in the last month

• Nearly half have streamed or watched a broadband video from computer in the last month

• A third have read a blog in the last month, but only five percent have actually contributed.

• Nearly a quarter have downloaded a podcast in the last month