Google tops Yougov’s 2021 technology rankings in India
NEW DELHI: Search engine Google topped the research firm Yougov’s 2021 Technology Rankings, with the most positive impression among urban Indian consumers.
The survey ranks brands across hardware/software manufacturers as well as social media platform categories based on an ‘Impression score’, which is a measure of whether a consumer has a positive or negative impression of a brand calculated by taking the average over a period of 12 months.
The ranking shows the brands with the highest average impression score between March 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021. The scores are representative of the general population of adults (18 and above).
The top ten list in India sees a dominance of internet and social media brands, featuring five leading names.
Korean tech giant Samsung features prominently in the India rankings, also topping the global list this year.
Google tops Yougov’s 2021 Technology Rankings in India, with an impression score of 62.3. Despite facing regulatory challenges around the world, instant messaging platform Whatsapp maintains its positive impression among consumers, securing the second spot (61) in the rankings.
Facebook follows in third (42.3), and Instagram takes the fourth (37.9) position. The social networking platform remained in the news for the launch of Reels last year along with other features, making a notable impression on urban Indian consumers.
Messaging app Telegram (25.9) and micro-blogging platform Twitter (21.6) occupied sixth and tenth spot, respectively.
The top 10 list also features Korean tech giant Samsung, at fifth (35.5). While the brand is better known for its mobile phones, its product range is broad, which makes it a popular household name in India.
Apple also makes an appearance in the list at seven (24.7), along with Japanese multinational tech brand Sony, that features in eighth (22.4).
Android completes the top 10 list of this year’s rankingsplaced in ninth (22.0)
Yougov also released its global tech rankings under which South Korean tech firm, Samsung, occupied the top spot.
Some other familiar brands to make it into the global top 25 include Panasonic, LG, Bosch, Philips, Sony, Microsoft, Siemens, HP and Yahoo!
MUMBAI: Premji Invest, the investment arm of Wipro founder Azim Premji’s endowment, teamed up with Asian private equity fund ADV Partners to pick up a majority stake in toy maker Micro Plastics for an undisclosed sum.
Micro Plastics is a Bengalurubased contract manufacturer of toys serving brands such as Hasbro and Mattel, and the two investors have collectively acquired a “significant majority stake” in the company, as per an official statement.
The company has five manufacturing facilities in and around Bengaluru, and its founder and managing director Vijendra Babu will continue to retain an undisclosed stake in the company to help its future growth, the statement said.
“The market opportunities for Micro Plastics are significant and, together with Premji Invest, ADV Partners looks forward to working with Babu to significantly grow the business as well as to help build the toy manufacturing ecosystem within India, through skill development and other initiatives,” ADV’S co-founder and managing partner Suresh Prabhala said.
A Premji Invest spokesperson said with the government’s push towards local manufacturing, and global customers increasing their outsourcing to India, its intent is to develop Micro Plastics as a trusted partner in delivering quality products consistent with the highest standards of ethics and governance.
The firm offers integrated solutions, from designing to shipping final products for diverse industries ranging from toys and model hobby kits to sports equipment.
Babu said the company is looking forward to broadening its footprint in consumer goods, healthcare, and sports among other sectors.