Give Protobrand, a Boston-based branding company, credit for trying to break down marketing barriers in the provinces: The company surveyed 350 top marketing execs everywhere but New England, asking
them to name the area's 25 most powerful brands. ESPN was named the most powerful, followed by General Electric, and Dunkin' Donuts. Subway, Ben & Jerry's, L.L. Bean, Bose, Samuel Adams, Ocean Spray
and Staples rounded out the top 10.