While maintaining its overall position as world’s favourite nation, the UK
has also climbed up the rankings to be seen as the third-friendliest nation
in the world, according to the latest edition of the Anholt Nation Brands
Index (NBI).The NBI, created by government advisor Simon Anholt and
powered by global market intelligence solutions provider GMI (Global Market
Insite, Inc.), polls over 25,000 consumers in 35 countries each quarter to
measure how people react to a nation’s brand in the same way they react to
high-street brands. 

In the People category, the UK ranked 3rd, just behind Canada and
Australia, jumping up the ranks by seven places from the last NBI conducted
in November 2006. This could be due to the rising number of high-profile
and well-liked Brits moving across the Atlantic and raising the UK?s
international profile. This seems to be a trend that is becoming
increasingly popular, with well-established British celebrities such as
David and Victoria Beckham, or Kate Beckinsale and Cat Deely, choosing to
move to the U.S. to work and live.

British actresses Dame Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet and Dame Judi Dench have
also done a lot to fly the British flag abroad, having all been nominated
to receive the best actress Oscar at this year’s Academy Awards in Los
Angeles.

In turn, the latest NBI has also seen the UK rise up in the Tourism stakes,
ranking 5th this quarter compared to 8th a mere three months earlier.
Perhaps we can also thank the film industry for this, with international
blockbusters such as The Queen portraying the UK as an exciting and
cultural place to visit.

NBI creator Simon Anholt believes that the UK’s image has risen drastically
since the last survey. “One part of the NBI that the UK does not usually
score well on is the human side. Across the globe, we have previously been
thought of as well-respected rather than well-loved. This profile could
have changed due to the UK appearing constantly in the media at the moment,
British cinema being a key factor to this international success.”
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