Google Edges Out Sony For Best Brand Reputation

Google topped the Reputation Institute's annual international list of companies ranked by global reputation, beating video game console makers Sony and Microsoft in the rankings. The Institute's "Global Reputation Pulse 2010" report acknowledges companies with the "most trust, admiration, respect and good feelings from the general public." PlayStation house Sony was right behind Google in second place. Google's "reputation pulse score," based on a survey that polled people on a company's performance, products, innovation and other factors, was 78.62. Sony's was 78.47. Windows and Xbox provider Microsoft came in at 11 on the list with 74.47. Apple was sixth with 76.29. Last year, Microsoft ranked 30th, while Sony was in 126th place and Apple in 52nd. Nintendo held the sixth place position last year, but didn't make it onto this year's list because it did not generate enough revenues during the year to qualify. Although Google, Sony, Microsoft and Apple do have ties to gaming, their portfolios include a wide array of products, so reputation isn't necessarily based on specific brands like Xbox and PlayStation. The top five companies this year were Google, Sony, The Walt Disney Company, BMW and Daimler (Mercedes-Benz). This is the fifth year for the Reputation Institute's Reputation Pulse report.