Asian consumers believe more in brand authenticity

Brand authenticity has most resonance among Asian consumers, and those leading the way in the region are almost exclusively technology companies.

According to Cohn & Wolfe’s 2017 Authentic Brands Study, Asian consumers show a greater propensity for believing in a brand’s openness and honesty when compared to consumers in Europe and the US.

The study surveyed more than 15,000 consumers in 15 markets, including five in Asia: China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia and Singapore.

With regards to brands being perceived as “open and honest”, China led the pack at 43 percent, followed by India at 37 percent, with the global average 22 percent. This stands in stark contrast to the most cynical consumers in Sweden (5 percent), France (7 percent) and Germany (8 percent).

Similarly, 49 percent of Chinese consumers said brands “take full responsibility for their actions”, together with 39 percent in Indonesia and 38 percent in India. The global average is 25 percent.

“In Asia, consumers value authenticity and will reward brands that work on being reliable, respectful and real—the three main drivers of brand authenticity,” said Matt Stafford, APAC president at Cohn & Wolfe.

Most telling for brands, 68 percent of Chinese consumers indicated higher purchase intent with brands they believe are authentic, alongside 67 percent in India and Indonesia—Asia’s three largest markets—against a global average of 62 percent.

“Our study highlights the opportunity for brands operating in Asia, as consumers in China, India and other key regional markets clearly recognise and appreciate efforts by companies to build strong customer relationships and improved user experiences.”

Given the ubiquitous role technology now plays in consumers’ lives, more than 70 percent of the global top 10 authentic brands in the study are technology brands, and their prominence is no different in Asia.

Lynn Fisher, EVP and global director of branding and insights at Cohn & Wolfe, said: “Our study shows that people view our top-ranked technology brands as genuinely wanting to deliver new ways to make people’s lives better and easier to manage.”