First Edition Anholt State Brands Index:
California Tops State Survey, New Jersey Limps in Last

-- Global survey offers gubernatorial candidates window into global and domestic public opinion on all 50 U.S. States --

SEATTLE - September 19, 2006 - As America's gubernatorial races are nearing election, California's Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has something to celebrate. Released today, the Anholt State Brands Index (SBI) - created by government advisor Simon Anholt and powered by global market intelligence solutions provider GMI (Global Market Insite, Inc.) - ranks California number one in its online global survey that ranks America's 50 states.

The Index is a first-of-its-kind, global poll that looks at the opinions of more than 21,000 people in 16 countries. Florida, Hawaii, New York and Washington states filled out the top four slots after California, while survey results were not so kind to New Jersey, where Governor John Corzine may wonder why his state pulled up last.

"America is like no other country in that a sample of ordinary people from around the world knows so much about its individual states," comments Simon Anholt, author of the State Brands Index report. "Each State has an international brand image, largely based on historical events, movies, TV shows, products or personalities. The results of the new 2006 State Brands Index will prove to be an enormous business advantage in competing for the world's consumers, tourists, businesses, investment, capital, respect and attention."

Most administrators have some idea of how their state is perceived within the USA, and thanks to such tools as the new SBI, they can now seek to bridge the domestic/global information gap.

Not surprisingly, number three Hawaii is perceived as the most beautiful state with the best climate by both American and foreign participants. Interestingly, Washington, with an overall ranking of five, ranked fourth as the most frequently visited state by respondents outside of North America, with many foreigners confusing it with Washington, D.C. Likewise, generalizations made about New York might be influenced by people's perceptions and experiences in New York City.

Residents of last place New Jersey may want to point fingers at Newark International Airport. The State Brands Index questionnaire asked participants whether they have visited each state. Due to the large number of international flights arriving at Newark, NJ, many foreign respondents had passed through, their visit perhaps not getting off to the best possible start.

Anholt concludes: "It’s crucial for the political, cultural, social, educational and business leaders of each state to understand their brand, and to see how they are viewed by potential visitors, investors, customers and future citizens around the world. If the image doesn’t match up to the reality, state administrators need to decide what to do in order to close up the gap between the two."

About the Anholt State Brands Index

The survey behind the Anholt State Brands Index (SBI) was conducted between May 25 and June 12, 2006 on the GMIPoll platform (www.gmipoll.com), which provides integrated solutions for global market intelligence. A representative sample based on age, gender, and where applicable, geographic region, race, and ethnicity, was collected in the United States (9,000 completes) and the top 15 inbound tourism markets (12,410 completes) for a total of 21,410 completes. For further information about the Anholt State Brands Index methodology, please contact GMI at http://www.gmi-mr.com/contact/ or visit www.statebrandsindex.com to download the SBI executive summary.

About Simon Anholt

Anholt originally developed and launched the concept of the Nation Brands Index in April 2005. Recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on the branding of countries, regions, states and cities, Anholt advises a number of national governments and United Nations agencies on brand strategy, public diplomacy, cultural relations, tourism and economic development.

About GMI

GMI (Global Market Insite, Inc.) is the only company that provides comprehensive integrated solutions for global market intelligence for both market research firms and corporate market research departments at Global 2000 companies. Founded in 1999 with world headquarters in Seattle, Wash., GMI has operations on five continents. More information is available at www.gmi-mr.com or email us at http://www.gmi-mr.com/contact/.

Media Contacts:

Christina Loveall / Caroline Craig
GBC-USA
(415) 339-1600
christina@gbc-usa.com / caroline@gbc-usa.com