Google, Microsoft most talked tech brands

BANGALORE, INDIA: Google and Microsoft emerged as the most discussed technology brands in India in the first Digital Brand Index (DBI) for India released on Thursday by Edelman, an independent public relations firm.

The DBI has been undertaken by Edelman in collaboration with Brandtology, which provides business and brand online intelligence services. The DBI monitored 74,452 online conversations pertaining to 96 large technology brands, contained within 423 influential channels, between July and September 2009, which saw one brand being mentioned every two minutes on an average, said a press release.

Google and Microsoft, who topped the rankings by way of volume of conversations, secured approximately 20 per cent and 12 per cent of all monitored conversations, respectively.

Meanwhile, Yahoo!, Intel and Sony completed the Top 5 list, securing 14 per cent of the overall conversation amongst them, report said.

While Internet and Software brands led the conversations online, Mobile and Telecommunications brands like Nokia and BlackBerry, as well as Consumer Electronic Brands like Dell, Samsung and LG also featured in the Top 10.

Twitter emerged as the 'buzziest' channel in India with almost 60 per cent of the overall conversation share.

Select online forums, including the Chip India Forum, TechArena Community Forum, Digit’s Technology Discussion Forum and DigitalPoint Forum, emerged as other key hubs where technology related conversations take place, securing approximately 16 per cent of the conversations amongst them.

“While Internet penetration remains a challenge in India, the appetite to search and share information is growing exponentially. This is especially true with technology brands and the Digital Brand Index is a pioneering initiative by Edelman in partnership with Brandtology to better understand emerging trends and online discussions about technology brands in India,” said Sachin Talwar, national director - Corporate Practice, Edelman India.