C-level executives are preparing for an economic recovery, according to a recent study from Forbes Insights and Gartner, with seven of ten expecting growth next year, and 87% confident that their companies will experience growth in 2012. Marketing and communications is expected to take a prominent place in growth plans, with digital marketing and communication seen as top tech investments. 

While businesses have suffered during the recent downturn, executives seem to believe that the worst is behind them and are beginning to strategize beyond simple survival. In the study of 650 C-level execs, over 92% expect revenue growth to occur before the end of 2012, with over half being very confident of this event. 

How these companies plan to invest resources in anticipation of this growth is of interest, as investing in technology and marketing are two of the most common initiatives. This appears to indicate that most growth is expected to be organic, a point that is underscored by the low numbers of companies that are contemplating acquisitions as a growth vehicle. 

Similarly, investments in capital equipment, new hires, and opening new offices, take a far lower position of importance to investing in new digital outreach campaigns, launching new products and services, and increasing marketing and advertising. 

How are these executives getting the information that leads to strategy implementation? The Internet continues to be the most important information source for these individuals, with 60% citing this source as most valuable, followed by newspapers (15%), industry trade publications (9%), magazines (6%), and television and radio at 5% or lower. 

The consensus appears to be that digital media and marketing remain the top tools for competitive business executives looking to grow their companies.