Majors

Which Brands Generated the Most Buzz in 2017?

MajorsJan 29, 2018

Which Brands Generated the Most Buzz in 2017?

We’ll bet you can guess the e-commerce giant that came in first.

2016_Amazon-logo.jpg
Amazon is ranked No. 1 in positive buzz among consumers last year, according to YouGov’s 2017 Buzz Rankings.

New York--YouGov has released its list of brands that generated the most positive buzz among consumers last year in the United States.  

The company’s 2017 Buzz Rankings position 1,600 brands according to “buzz score,” which is determined by asking consumers if they’ve heard anything about a specific brand in the last two weeks through advertising, news or word of mouth, and, if so, was it positive or negative?  

Scores are calculated by subtracting the percentage of negative responses from the percentage of positive responses for each brand.

Generating the most positive buzz among Americans and earning the top spot for the fifth consecutive year is, perhaps unsurprisingly, Amazon.

Last year was a big one for the e-commerce giant. In June, it acquired high-end grocer Whole Foods for $13.7 billion, giving it a physical presence in many markets.

A few months after that, Amazon announced plans to open a second headquarters, inviting cities and regions to place bids to be the host of the $5 billion investment. They have now narrowed the list down to 20 possibilities.

And on top of everything else, Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos also became the richest person in the world in 2017, ending the year with a total worth of about $100 billion.

CNBC reported last spring that some analysts believe the company could account for half of all e-commerce sales by 2021.

Following Amazon at No. 2 on YouGov’s Buzz Rankings is Netflix, which continues to pick up buzz as it generates more of its own content. In fact, Netflix earned a total of 91 Emmy nominations in 2017.

Amazon continued its dominance by also earning the No. 3 spot with Amazon Prime, its paid subscription service that gives users access to free two-day delivery, streaming video/music and other benefits.

It’s estimated that half of all households now have a subscription to Prime, not to mention that Amazon said its 2017 Prime Day, a one-day only sales event just for subscribers, was its biggest sales day yet and pulled in more new members than ever before.

At No. 4 is YouTube, which claims through its own statistics that nearly one-third of all people on the internet use the video sharing site to watch a billion hours of video every day.

At No. 5 is Google, followed by Nike at No. 6, dish soap Dawn at No. 7--boosted

perhaps by its association with rescuing and restoring wildlife affected by oil pollution, YouGov said--and M&Ms.

The top 10 list is rounded out by Apple’s iPhone at No. 9, which rejoined after a year off due in part to the release of the iPhone X.

Fittingly then, No. 10 on the list is Apple, which celebrated not only the release of the aforementioned phone but also the launch of its Siri-powered HomePod to rival Amazon’s Alexa-powered Echo and the acquisition of sound-identifying app Shazam in 2017.

YouGov also ranked the best Buzz Improvers--brands with the highest increase in Buzz scores between 2016 and 2017.

It included brands such as Chipotle, which had to deal with multiple E.coli and norovirus outbreaks in 2016; cable channel HLN, which benefited from a revamp last year; and Volkswagen, which had been suffering from negative perception in the last few years after it got caught cheating on diesel-emissions tests.

Also on the list are telecommunications company Spectrum (previously Time Warner Cable), Walmart, Hulu and ride sharing app Lyft.
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the Holidays

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

National Associate of Jewelry Appraisers Logo
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go Virtual

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.

Jacquie Aiche graduated turquoise beaded necklace
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

24th Gem Awards Show Logo
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

Weekly QuizJul 17, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
CCWW Designs Multiple Shell Charm Necklace
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm Necklace

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The Plumb Club board members
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board Members

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Jewelry industry veterans Brad Campbell and John Liebler
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

Silver, Gold, and Bronze Medals for Italy Olympic Winter Games
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes Unity

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

vimeo screenshot.png
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up!

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

Guinness
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGov

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.

Gina Ferranti
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59

The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.

Rio Tinto Chief Executive Simon Trott
SourcingJul 17, 2025
Rio Tinto Names New CEO, Production Rises at Diavik

Production at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.

Jewelers of America Learning Workship Logo
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2025
JA to Hold Learning Workshops This Fall

A new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.

Gold bracelets and bangles
SurveysJul 16, 2025
Signet Jewelers Falls Lower on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers List

The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.

Buccellati Opera high jewelry bracelet
FinancialsJul 16, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Up 7% in Q1

It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.

Rolex Datejust ref. 16233
WatchesJul 16, 2025
The Top-Selling Rolex Models of the Last 15 Years, According to Bob’s Watches

The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.

Jean Dinh Van Orgue Ring
AuctionsJul 16, 2025
Christie’s To Honor Dinh Van With Exhibition

The auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.

Jake Duneier and Danielle Duneier
IndependentsJul 16, 2025
Clyde Duneier Ushers In Fourth Generation

Jake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.

Boucheron Impermanence Boucheron Dragonfly Earrings and Wisteria Hair Piece
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Calls Attention to Nature’s Impermanence

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

James Avery Cedar Park
MajorsJul 15, 2025
James Avery Expands to 2 More States

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford, Couture’s new brand director and former fine jewelry buyer at Neiman Marcus
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2025
Neiman Marcus Vet Joins Couture as Brand Director

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

Bench jeweler holding a ring and a tool
MajorsJul 15, 2025
Ben Bridge Jeweler Acquires Olympic Manufacturing

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.

Guzema Celestial Blue
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Guzema Debuts First Colored Gemstone Jewelry

The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

Nanis Mykonos Store Exterior and Interior
MajorsJul 14, 2025
Nanis Opens First Store

The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

Long’s Jewelers Summer of Love promo
IndependentsJul 14, 2025
It’s the Summer of Love at Long’s Jewelers

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy