Simon Anholt
FameRank: 3

"Simon Anholt" is an independent policy advisor who has worked to help develop and implement strategies for enhanced economic, political and cultural engagement with other countries.

These strategies are typically in the areas of national identity and reputation, public diplomacy, economic competitiveness, cultural policy and cultural relations, regional integration, export promotion, tourism, educational policy, immigration and related areas of social policy, security and defence, foreign direct investment, sustainability, talent attraction and major international events. He is best known for his work on the image and reputation of countries, cities and regions.

Simon Anholt has been called the "founder", "champion" and "instigator" of the Nation Branding and Place Branding terms, concepts and field of study and practice.

He is also the founder of Good Country and the Good Country Index launched in his TEDtalk/TED (conference)in June 2014.

He is the founder and publisher of the global annual research studies: Anholt-GfK Roper Nation Brands Index, Anholt-GfK Roper City Brands Index and Anholt-GfK Roper State Brands Index, three major surveys which use a panel of 30,000 people in 25 countries to monitor global perceptions of 50 countries, 50 cities and the 52 States of the Union.

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Once you have got a brand image, it is the most valuable thing you can have. It gives instant value, credibility, reliability and reassurance.

Sounds French, it is known to be British, but in fact it is 100 percent owned by McDonald's.

It is a promise of quality and a licence to charge more money for your product -- very often it is the most important asset of a company.

Think 'Pret a manger,' a brand that at first sounds very French and you might think it is a fashion store. In fact it is an eatery -- they do high quality take-out food.