📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

What Are the Most Authentic Brands in the World? A new study lays out what companies need to do to retain customer trust.

By Nina Zipkin

entrepreneur daily
Todd Anderson | Getty Images

Which brands have your loyalty and trust? According to a new study, perhaps unsurprisingly, a certain Mouse has won over both consumers' hearts and wallets.

In its fourth annual survey about brand authenticity, communications and public relations firm Cohn & Wolfe generated a ranking of the most authentic brands in the world.

Related: 25 Tips for Earning Customer Loyalty

The agency polled nearly 12,000 people in Brazil, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States and narrowed the list of 100 companies down from 1,600 brands.

The study found that consumers say that a brand is authentic when the company consistently delivers on what it promises, protects consumers' data and respects their privacy and interacts with their customers with transparency and integrity.

Related: 5 Easy Ways to Improve Client Retention

And the old aphorism that the customer is always right still rings true here -- 69 percent of the participants said that how a brand treats and relates to its customers is more important than if the company is "clear about its beliefs" or the business's environmental footprint.

The top of the list is largely a tech industry affair -- with the usual suspects Microsoft, Amazon and Apple -- but Disney took the top spot. Car manufacturers BMW and Audi cracked the top 10, as did Adidas and LEGO.

Related: Improve Your Great Idea by Listening to What Your Customers Tell You

For more on consumer attitudes about authenticity around the world, check out the full study here.

Here are the top 10 most authentic brands in the world, according to the Cohn & Wolfe study:

  1. Disney
  2. BMW
  3. Microsoft
  4. Amazon
  5. Apple
  6. Intel
  7. Audi
  8. Samsung
  9. Adidas
  10. LEGO
Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Starting a Business

Most People Have No Business Starting a Business. Here's What to Consider Before You Become an Entrepreneur

You need to find the right business opportunity at the right time and take the right steps to beat the odds.

Leadership

AI vs. Humanity — Why Humans Will Always Win in Content Creation

With the proliferation and integration of AI across organizations and business units, PR and marketing professionals may be tempted to lean into this new technology more than recommended.

Business News

Passengers Are Now Entitled to a Full Cash Refund for Canceled Flights, 'Significant' Delays

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced new rules for commercial passengers on Wednesday.

Growing a Business

Who You Hire Matters — Here's How to Form a Team That's Built to Last

Among the many challenges related to managing a small business, hiring a quality team of employees is one of the most important. Check out this list of tips and best practices to find the best people for your business.

Franchise

Franchising Is Not For Everyone. Explore These Lucrative Alternatives to Expand Your Business.

Not every business can be franchised, nor should it. While franchising can be the right growth vehicle for someone with an established brand and proven concept that's ripe for growth, there are other options available for business owners.

Management

7 Ways You Can Use AI to 10x Your Leadership Skills

While technology can boost individual efficiency and effectiveness, it's essential to balance their use with human intuition and creativity to avoid losing personal connection and to optimize workplace satisfaction.