Using feedback from advertising professionals and marketing chiefs from across India, the Brandwagon-Synovate Best Brands Survey 2009 evaluated brands based on quality, imagery, delivering brand promise and consumer engagement.

The best performing brands included Airtel, ICICI, Hindustan Unilever, LG, Sony, Parle, Reliance Communications, HDFC Bank, Toyota, Tata and Vodafone.

The survey unearthed a number of interesting findings:

Efficacy of investment in the family brand

The likes of Hindustan Unilever, LG and Sony ran campaigns across all media platforms that focused on the family brand proposition.

LG's campaign over the festive period featured a full range of consumer electronics products under its umbrella positioning - Life's good.

Mobile brand power

Not surprisingly in a country that boasts 500 million+ mobile phone users - 17 million activated in November last year - mobile phone providers are well represented, Airtel, Vodafone and Reliance Communications all make the top ten.

Vodafone were responsible for the Zoozoos campaign (see above), a campaign that won consumer hearts and minds, and awards for Ogilvy, Vodafone's agency.

Financial Services brands remain strong

Even despite major economic upheaval, the presence of HDFC and ICICI show that local financial brands have successfully rebuilt trust.

Tata brand goes from strength to strength

India's most famous company continues to perform across numerous products and services. The last 12 months have seen the launch of the Nano car, the success of Tata Tea's social awareness, "Jaago Re!" campaign and launch of Tata Docomo.

Cricket creates brand momentum

LG India is global partner of the International Cricket Council (ICC), providing the company with global and national reach. In addition, Reliance Communications paid US$ 100 million to partner the ICC over the same time term.