The U.S. is the most admired and appreciated country in the world according to a new poll.
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New poll finds Obama has already rebuilt America’s global brand
Barack Obama's election victory and global popularity have made the United States the world's most admired national "brand," a new survey finds.
By Dan Murphy | Staff writer 10.06.09
Step aside, Germany and France. There’s a new brand leader among world powers. Who? The good old US of A – according to a new poll – thanks to the global popularity of President Barack Obama.
The Anholt-GfK Roper Nation Brands Index (NBI) survey on which countries are most admired and appreciated around the world has been conducted annually since 2005. This year the US topped the list for the first time, climbing six spots.
According to survey designer Simon Anholt President Obama, whatever his trials at home, has been well-received internationally since his election and changed the image of the US from one that dictates to one that consults. “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,” Mr. Anholt said in a press release on the survey. “The results suggest that the new US administration has been well received abroad and the American electorate’s decision to vote in President Obama has given the United States the status of the world’s most admired country.”
There are no guarantees that greater popularity for the US will lead to global policy victories, with challenges like Iran’s nuclear program or forging a successful strategy in Afghanistan requiring far more than a charming presidential smile or a well-inclined global audience. And if the US economy doesn’t start reversing massive job losses soon, Obama may find himself more popular abroad than he is at home.
“What’s key for the U.S. and other (leading) nations is to strike while the iron is hot and develop focused policies and communication that draw businesses, financial investors and tourists — in order to help lift their national economies and their global credibility,” said Xiaoyan Zhao, the director of the NBI study.
The fact that popularity alone is insufficient to win key objectives was brought home by the failure of Obama’s last minute sales job on Chicago’s 2016 Summer Olympics bid. While he jetted in to appeal for International Olympic Committee votes last week, he couldn’t overcome the months of ground-laying and outreach that the winning Brazilian bid team mustered.
Here’s the current top five, with last year’s ranks in brackets:
1. US (7)
2. France (2)
3. Germany (1)
4. UK (3)
5. Japan (5)
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2. David S | 10.07.09
The poll is a farce. Does anyone besides a dyed in the wool Obama support really think the personal popularity of one person is a refelction on the United States? In my opinion the Obamas has done more to hurt the image of the U.S. than improve it.
Look at Queen Michelle’s shopping trip through London that shut down the central district or Obama’s statement about abandoning nuclear arms right before it was revealed Iran had a new weapons enrichment facility. Both France and the UK opposed him.
Poorly conducted polls like this do more harm than good by present the idea goodwill is present where none exists.
3. Steve Pollak | 10.07.09
As a U.S. citizen living overseas, I can happily vouch for the general accuracy of this article. The end of the “Bush attitude” signaled the beginning of potential, sustainable, solutions to the world’s challenges; cooperative collaboration is much more hopeful than imperialistic commandments. And solutions that benefit all parties are the only solutions that have a chance to endure.
4. Marvin D | 10.07.09
I agree that Obama’s personal popularity has been the singular factor in raising the world’s opinion of the US. People who believe otherwise are naive, blindly partisan, or both. Do they not remember the image of the US under Bush?
David S, in his comments blames the messenger. A typical right-wing response.
5. Marilyn | 10.07.09
Obama detractors just can’t stand it that his and his family’s personal popularity has improved the standing of the U.S. in the world. Would they rather other countries looked on us with disdain as they did when W was prez? When he speaks, people listen instead of cringe. He can enunciate correctly, speak clearly and pronounce words like nuclear. I believe team Obama will capitalize on this to create more momentum for positive change for our country and the world.
6. Matt | 10.09.09
As an American living abroad, I can say that this article is definitely true. I would easily venture to say that people who are saying this article is wrong have not traveled abroad in the last decade or so - it was embarrassing to be living when it was Bush, and now everyone is impressed by Obama. They don’t care about his day to day stuff - they just are reassured that someone who seems smart, intelligent, and coherent is at the reigns in America. “In my opinion Obama has done more to hurt it.” Hah what lunacy.
7. Susan | 10.09.09
In the past 3 months I have traveled to 12 different countries along the Mediterranean, and I can say that people everywhere, from Spain to Croatia to Turkey to Egypt, have renewed hope in America. When I was asked, “Where are you from?” and I responded, “America,” 9 of 10 times the response was “Obama!” and a big smile. Don’t let dogmatism cloud your view of reality. Whether you agree with his politics or not, he has indeed changed the world’s impression of the US for the better. I’m not sure why right-wing Americans are so resistant to this. Why would you want the world to look upon us with hatred and fear?
8. Jim | 10.09.09
Unfortunately Conservatives have decided that anything that makes the President of the United States look good is bad for the GOP, so they have started cheering for America to fail. They call this “Patriotism” oddly enough.
9. R D Boone | 10.10.09
If other countries like our president better, isn’t that a bad thing for us? It means they think their outlook is brighter, at the expense of ours. We need to have an improved popularity in the US, not abroad, instead, we are losing popularity at home because of perceived favoritism toward world viewpoints at the expense of US interests.
10. bebe | 10.10.09
I visit another country every year. (I’ve already visited all our states, and lived in more than a few) I can hardly wait to see the change in attitude toward the US that I read about, since I felt the animosity when Bush was in power. But I’m not looking forward to trying to explain the likes of Beck, Steele, Limbaugh, and the GOP. It’s like watching a dysfunctional family fighting on a reality tv show - not pretty! People in the US needs to get a grip and work together to put our country back together and not listen to those that are spouting off junk just to get elected or improve tv ratings. kj and David S - you can’t change facts, however much you’d like to. So get over it.
11. Chris K | 10.12.09
The world stood in awe of the United States that Tuesday last November. Name another modern Democracy that has elected a leader outside of their own ethnic majority? Has Germany, France, Great Britain, Japan, Australia or Canada matched that feat? Obama’s appeal is undeniable. He is a hugely charismatic and compelling man and his own diverse heritage is undeniable. What many seem to dismiss is what the context of that election meant to the rest of the world. Here was a mixed race individual who grew up in a household that relied on food stamps who became the most powerful man on earth on merit. Whatever you think of the man or his policies, what America did that night last November was something I think that only historians will be able to narrate accurately. As an outsider (Canadian)who was looking in that night I can attest to that. Look at what you did America. Be proud of that. Look at this amazing thing you did.
12. Vikram | 10.14.09
To Chris K, Name another modern Democracy that has elected a leader outside of their own ethnic majority?
India has done it twice now. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (of whom I am not a big fan), is a Punjabi Sikh, who comprise 2 % of India’s population.
And before you start, yes I know we are poor, overpopulated etc. etc. , but I couldnt let your hubris override facts.
13. kyle | 10.19.09
brand perception is such a hard thing to quantify…even if 6(?) different components are carefully outlined…to me, this just seems to give a false sense of structure.
John Tantillo has a branding blog and has written a lot lately on America’s brand, Obama’s brand, the Nobel Prize’s brand, the idea of the “nanny state” (he obviously leans heavily to the right). They dovetail with this piece and with a lot of the comments here. Worth checking out. It’s interesting to see politics looked at through another “lens.” http://blog.marketingdoctor.tv
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1. kj | 10.06.09
keep on dreaming. one day it may come true.