A new survey finds that the United States has drastically improved its global image over the past year, topping the list of countries with the “best overall brand” in 2009.
According to the 2009 Anholt-GfK Roper Nation Brands (NBI) Index, a survey conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media, the American “brand” is once again the best in the world. The study, which looks at the global image of 50 nations throughout the world, found the U.S. beating out France, Germany, and even the United Kingdom for the top prize. This is quite an improvement from 2008, when the U.S. was relegated to the #7 spot.
Simon Anholt, NBI founder, was equally surprised by the outcome: “What’s really remarkable is that in all my years studying national reputation, I have never seen any country experience such a dramatic change in its standing as we see for the United States in 2009,” he explains. Anholt concludes that the dramatic shift in global perception must come from “the American electorate’s decision to vote in President Obama.”
In other words, we’re baaaaaack!
Full disclosure: I worked for the London branch of GfK NOP in early 2009.
