Top brands built on service and convenience

New York-based branding company, Brand Keys, recently completed its annual survey of the USA's top brands.

Top of the class is Google, closely followed by Yahoo, Avis, LL Bean, Coors, J Crew, Samsung, Hyatt and Verizon. (Yes, I know that's only 9 companies but there seems to be no number 8 this year!)

What's interesting is that it also splits it by category which is useful if you're fighting in your space. In Automotive for example, the top brands are Toyota and BMW; Ford is ninth. In Computers, Apple is number one.

According to Marketing Daily, Robert Passikoff, founder and president of Brand Keys, says service and convenience carries the day. "We estimate that 70% of loyalty is emotionally based, which is why Internet companies like Amazon.com are doing so well: either serendipitously or by strategic plan, they decided that they wouldn't be merely an electronic cash register, but that they would form a kind of community, and that's where the emotional bond comes in. Consumers are loyal to companies that treat them right, regardless of whether they do so over the counter or through the Web."

Timfeed