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Sweden "best brand in the world"
The Local (Sweden's news in English) ^ | 26th May 2005 | James Savage

Posted on 05/27/2005 2:08:29 PM PDT by anguish

Sweden "best brand in the world"

Sweden has topped the rankings in an international survey of the top nation brands.

People around the world see the Swedish government as the most trustworthy administration in the world, the Swedish people as the world's most hospitable, and think of Sweden as the best place in the world to live and work.

The findings were made in the Anholt-GMI Nation Brands Index, a survey of 10,000 consumers in ten countries. They were asked for their impressions of the United States, Britain, Sweden, China, Italy, Germany, South Korea, Russia and Turkey.

The report's author, Simon Anholt, says Sweden is "almost universally admired".

"Its brand image boasts a rare combination of stable and responsible governance, honest and trustworthy people, successful cultural exports, a prime location for investment, and yet isn't seen as boring or predictable, but young and dynamic."

Sweden was followed in the rankings by Britain, with America sharing fourth place with Germany. Turkey and Russia prop up the bottom of the table, with many people having a particularly poor impression of Russia.

One measure in which Sweden did particularly well was hospitality. Swedes were viewed as the most hospitable people out of all the nationalities included in the survey, and Sweden (perhaps not coincidentally) was seen as the second most attractive tourist destination after Italy.

The respondents described Sweden as 'fascinating', 'exciting', and 'romantic'. Many of those questioned had heard of the Ice Hotel.

The report pointed out, however, that popular tourist destinations such as France and Australia had not been included in the survey.

Equally positive for Sweden was its high placing in the investment rankings. It was seen as the second most attractive place to invest in, behind the United States. When people were asked where they would most like to live and work, Sweden came out on top.

That Sweden came top in rankings of good government may come as something of a surprise to opposition Moderate Party leader Fredrik Reinfeldt, but he can take comfort from the fact that most people responding to the survey were probably judging Sweden from a position of complete ignorance.

"It is unlikely that many of our respondents would be able to name a member of the Swedish government, or identify the party currently in power: these scores are almost certainly pure brand image, and appear to require little substantiation," says Anholt.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: brand; sweden; topten
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To: billorites
"...I don't know anything about the Swedish government..."

Igrorance is definately bliss in this case, trust me.

21 posted on 05/27/2005 2:25:30 PM PDT by Truthsayer20
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To: dangus

>>>>I thought the Swedes were mostly known for early porn;<<<<
>> One measure in which Sweden did particularly well was hospitality. Swedes were viewed as the most hospitable people out of all the nationalities included in the survey,<<
Oh. Right. Hospitality. Is that what they're calling it these days?


22 posted on 05/27/2005 2:26:43 PM PDT by dangus
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To: anguish

I'm going to Sweden in two weeks. We're staying in Stockholm first, then we have train passes for the rest of Scandinavia.

What to see? What to do?


23 posted on 05/27/2005 2:30:43 PM PDT by the_Watchman
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To: anguish

I admire your candor : )


24 posted on 05/27/2005 2:31:16 PM PDT by international american (Tagline now flameproof....purchased from "Conspiracy Guy Custom Taglines"LLC)
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To: Mr. Blonde

I was shopping for a used car couple of years ago and called a few Volvo owners. One thing that struck me, they all sounded like they were selling their mother. "It is a wonderful, (with feeling) WONDERFUL car. I would (more feeling) NEVER think of selling it (segue to sobs)".

I ended up in a Camry.


25 posted on 05/27/2005 2:32:18 PM PDT by annalex
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To: anguish
a survey of 10,000 consumers in ten countries.

Which pretty much amounts to the opinion of the President by a guy sitting in the back booth at Denny's.

26 posted on 05/27/2005 2:33:12 PM PDT by SaveTheChief (<insert clever, witty, or silly statement here>)
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To: anguish
the Swedish people as the world's most hospitable

I like visiting Sweden, but I'm sorry, the Swedes are NOT particularly friendly to a stranger in their midst.

Or maybe it was just something I said.

27 posted on 05/27/2005 2:35:53 PM PDT by Da_Shrimp
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To: the_Watchman

eat lots of lutefisk, ya sure.


28 posted on 05/27/2005 2:38:48 PM PDT by bigfootbob
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To: Clemenza

But GM has really, REALLY, screwed up SAAB


29 posted on 05/27/2005 2:38:51 PM PDT by ken5050 (Ann Coulter needs to have children ASAP to pass on her gene pool...any volunteers???)
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To: SaveTheChief
>Which pretty much amounts to the opinion of the President by a guy sitting in the back booth at Denny's [Handsome Kevin?!]

Handsome Kevin got a little off track
Took a year off of college
And he never went back
Now he smokes too much
He's got a permanent hack
Deals dope out of Denny's
Keeps a table in the back

He always listens to the ground
Always listens to the ground

So I say
I say welcome
Welcome to the boomtown
Pick a habit
We got plenty to go around
Welcome
Welcome to the boomtown
All that money makes such a succulent sound
Welcome to the boomtown



30 posted on 05/27/2005 2:39:02 PM PDT by theFIRMbss
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To: the_Watchman
What to see? What to do?
That really depends on your interests. As I'm a culturally challenged wildlife-type of Swede, I might not be the best person to ask though. However, my favorite tourist places in Stockholm are the 'Old Town' with the Royal Palace (with embedded museums) and the Vasa Museum. Check this page.
31 posted on 05/27/2005 2:42:43 PM PDT by anguish (while science catches up.... mysticism!)
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To: theFIRMbss

LOL. I've never heard of this.


32 posted on 05/27/2005 2:43:00 PM PDT by SaveTheChief (<insert clever, witty, or silly statement here>)
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To: the_Watchman

Go visit the Husqvarna factory. Did you know that they started out making firearms for the royals about 500 years ago?


33 posted on 05/27/2005 2:51:11 PM PDT by Disambiguator
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To: ken5050

sumpin' about those Swedish cars: can't get `em out of neutral . . .


34 posted on 05/27/2005 2:53:26 PM PDT by tumblindice
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To: tumblindice

in Saabs...it's called "Freewheeling"


35 posted on 05/27/2005 2:57:22 PM PDT by ken5050 (Ann Coulter needs to have children ASAP to pass on her gene pool...any volunteers???)
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To: anguish

I collect Swedish military stuff (guns, tools, etc) and it's generally a good value for the money. Don't buy their parkas, though, if you lift weights...they are sewn for men with very skinny arms and shallow chests.

If there was such a size as "Tall Extra Skinny", it would describe "Extra Large" Swedish military garments......


36 posted on 05/27/2005 3:03:13 PM PDT by Renfield (Philosophy chair at the University of Wallamalloo!!)
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To: Mr. Blonde
I'm curious what your beef with Volvo is.

I've owned two volvos, a 142 and a 164; both were good cars, but not as good as their reputation (to be fair, it would be hard to be).

However, Volvos tend to rust. After Subaru, they're about the rustiest fleet on the road, which means that their vaunted safety is probably pretty well compromised by structural rot after a while. And of course, it looks like Hell.

37 posted on 05/27/2005 3:14:02 PM PDT by Grut
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To: 1234; american colleen; AndyPH; anguish; AzSteven; Bartholomew Roberts; Bushwacker777; ...

Ping to the Swedish Ping List.


38 posted on 05/27/2005 3:14:24 PM PDT by Charles Henrickson (Swedish Ping List master)
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To: theFIRMbss
"... I wasted time with pics!"

You did not waste time, my friend. Pics are required, especially for a post like this one! Thank you!

39 posted on 05/27/2005 3:17:22 PM PDT by etcetera (No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom, unless he be vigilant in its preservation.)
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To: Archon of the East

Ha hah hahahahaaa ha hah hahahah

heheh heh he he he

Cheers.


40 posted on 05/27/2005 3:18:59 PM PDT by Eurotwit (WI)
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