Singapore has best branding among Asian cities

Guess what countries are ranking close behind.

According to a study by Ogilvy, Singapore tops the ranking in terms of brand value among a list of 16 leading cities in  Asia Pacific – with a positive brand value of 9.7 points out of 10.

Cities were selected primarily on the basis of gross  domestic product and include the capital cities of the region’s leading nations.  

Here's more from Ogilvy:

The gleaming city state [of Singapore] embodies many of the positive brand attributes our survey identified: it is low-tax, clean,

safe, politically stable – and is developing a thriving arts, gaming and leisure scene. It tops the rank with top communicators giving its brand a score of 9.7 points out of 10.

While criticised by some for issues such as press freedom and small ‘c’ conservatism, the legendary South East Asian state is popular among business and tourists attracted by its combination of Asian flair fused with Western-style services and values. Singapore is promoted as a business and tourism hub by authorities including the powerful Economic Development Board, the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the Singapore Tourism Board.  

Ranking close behind are Hong Kong and Sydney (9.5 mean  score). 

Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan, fast-paced, businessfriendly environment which marries East with West – but
which is facing environmental issues and a need to continually  define itself in relation to the Chinese mainland.

Also in close  contention in the ranking stakes is Tokyo (9.2 mean score),  which despite the 3/11 tragedy retains a leading position among Asia Pacific’s communications and corporate affairs  industry leaders. Scoring less well is Beijing, with a score of 7.9 points, putting  it in 10th position.

Despite the Olympic Games, the Chinese  capital still grapples with pollution, a sense that the political, regulatory and business environment is difficult to navigate as well as language barriers which impact tourism.

Towards the lower end are Jakarta and Manila (scoring 5.9  and 5.6 out of 10 respectively). The reputation of these two South East Asian nations is impeded by poor infrastructure, fears over safety, concern about corruption and regular word of mouth accounts of poor visitor experiences.