According to Zeta Interactive, the most talked about brand in 2009 is Microsoft.
While Twitter might suggest otherwise, the aggregated online buzz (blogs, message boards and online communities) doesn’t lie.
Apple, on the other hand, made it to 4th position.
Due to the recession, discount oriented stores like Walmart, Target and Amazon, all made it to the list.
The buzz rating is calculated by a formula that weighs a variety of different factors on a given subject, including overall volume of online posts, and the positivity tone of those posts.
Zeta Interactive CEO Al DiGuido commented:
“Google displaced Microsoft as the lead last year, but this year, the tech giant took the No. 1 spot due to aggressive advertising. These marketing efforts include the “Laptop Hunters” ad from agency Crispin, Porter + Bogusky, and a major push ahead of its Bing search engine debut. Bloggers often used terms such as “easy,” “efficient” and “better” in their online discussions about Microsoft.”
#10. Walmart
Despite being last on the list, consumers are probably more satisfied with Walmart than with Target or Amazon.
#9. Nike
Nike’s Facebook page might be less successful than Adidas’ but overall, it still emerges as the winner in terms of online popularity. The sport apparel brand uses blogs, Facebook and Twitter intensively; showing other brands what thought leadership and solid content can do in today’s online age.
#8. BlackBerry
BlackBerry has the highest positive tone rating. Despite facing intense pressure from Apple’s iPhone, it is still considered the best business phone (at least in my opinion).
#7. Sony
Sony has the lowest positive tone rating amongst the top 10 brands listed. Even if its intensive marketing campaign managed to push it rather high up on the list, it should certainly start taking note of what people are saying about it.
#6. Honda
Being the only automobile company on the list tells us something about Honda – it has used the web pretty well to get consumers’ attention, especially in times of recession. The commercial that cost them $6.2 million 2 years back rocked the world. I wouldn’t say the same for its product manager, who was caught astroturfing.
#5. Target
Its numerous Twitter pages are all about discounts and new offers. That could explain how it attracted over 650,000 fans on Facebook as well. But it seems like its holiday commercials aren’t that well-liked this season.
#4. Apple
Apple is undoubtedly tweeps’ favorite. It has become a routine for ‘iPhone’ and ‘Apple’ to make it on Twitter’s trending topics. New product launches, speculations, holiday discounts, lawsuits and Steve Jobs keep the buzz alive.
iTunes has also been featured as one of the top 25 Facebook pages, with more than a million fans.
#3 Amazon.com
Amazon’s $850 million acquisition of Zappos was big news in the online world this year. Besides that, the online retail giant has also created multiple Twitter accounts for different deals and services. Another most talked about topic revolving Amazon would be its e-book reader, Kindle.
#2 Google
Google’s ever changing logo is bloggers’ favorite topic. Its UFO doodle, for example, has caused a stir as all that was given were hints to why there was a logo redesign. Google has also created great presence on Twitter, with multiple Twitter pages that cater to different consumer needs.
#1 Microsoft
Aggressive online and offline marketing is the core reason why Microsoft is on the number 1 spot this year. Its Windows 7′s launch was huge business despite Apple’s mockery. It has a Twitter page of over 35,000 followers and a Facebook page of over 70,000 fans. Not very impressive numbers for a big brand like Microsoft, but I guess its the buzz that matters. Congrats!
On SlideShare
Stock photo powered by Pixmac
