With market and media conditions in flux, communications leaders are leveraging newfound C-suite influence to carefully address global engagement and recession strategies.
The latest Gravity Insiders report offers a close look at how senior executives are strategizing amid economic and political uncertainty. Our proprietary survey data—drawn from a panel including communications leaders across the Fortune 500—reveals how companies are balancing influence, investment, and readiness as they prepare for a potential future of market disruption.
Key Findings
Communicators’ influence is holding strong, or growing. Nearly half of executives (49%) say the communications function’s influence within the C-suite has increased since last year, while the remaining 51% report the same level. Notably, no respondents report a decline in their influence. Healthcare leads all sectors, with 67% reporting increased influence, and most consumer-facing industries continue to hold steady.
51% are re-aligning communications on social and cultural issues in the US, with nearly one in three further applying these shifts abroad. No respondents reported only changing communications internationally, indicating that these revisions likely stem from shifting expectations–but continued influence–of an American market.
Recession preparedness remains uneven. Only 13% of all companies report having a comprehensive recession plan in place, while nearly one-third (31%) are still developing strategies. Sectors with greater exposure to market swings, such as financials and information technology, show greater urgency to mitigate immediate costs.
Download the full report to see how corporate communicators are maintaining their influence and rethinking strategy amid economic uncertainty.
Methodology
Gravity Insiders surveys our panel of 200+ communications and public affairs executives at Fortune 500 or equivalent companies on headlining issues and emerging trends impacting reputational risk. Our latest Q3 2025 Pulse Poll surveyed 45 executives between September 2–12, 2025. Respondents primarily reflect senior-most leaders within their organizations.
