B2B marketers are increasing marketing budgets 6.8% on average in 2012, according to a survey from Forrester Research.

Across various industries, gaps in marketing investment growth have narrowed from levels reported in 2011: 

• High-tech services firms still lead the industry pack in 2012, but with a much more modest growth plan of 9%, compared with the 17% reported in 2011.
• Manufacturing firms are second with a 7% increase as they invest in digital channels. That's up 3 percentage points from 4% in 2011.
• Pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotech budgets are showing a sharp change of direction, shifting from a 3% cut in budgets in 2011, to a 2% increase in 2012. 

Below, additional findings from the report titled "B2B Marketers Must Focus on Partnership and Experimentation as 2012 Budgets Rise," based on an online survey of 864 B2B marketing executives by Forrester Research. 

Among B2B marketers in all industries: 

• 27% expect to increase budgets between 10% and 19%.
• 20% are expecting increases from 5% to 9%.
• 18% are expecting increases from 1% to 4%.
• 16% expect to boost budgets more than 20%.