• by The Editor , February 12, 2016

Every year the brand engagement and customer loyalty consultancy Brand Keys evaluates leading brands to determine which consumers are most emotionally engaged, because engagement levels are predictive of consumer behavior and brand profitability. 

This year’s survey included 43,000 consumers across the United States who identified which of 635 brands were going to build loyalty, create emotional engagement, and increase sales and profits. And, which were poised to disappoint.

This year, 72 categories include everything imaginable from online music to online retail, ride-share apps, athletic shoes, headphones, hotels, beer, pizza, and social networking sites. Consumer emotional values, like Personal Innovation, Immediate Immediate-Gratification, My Brand Is Me, and I Can Literally Do Anything, are posing challenges to brand leadership.

Which brands will take 2016’s top spot in their category? Chipotle or Panera? Samsung or Apple? YouTube or LinkedIn? Absolut or Grey Goose? Watch for the winners as we roll out our week-long coverage starting Feb. 15!