Consumers think highly of throwback companies: Axios/Harris poll
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Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
Consumers love the nostalgia economy.
The big picture: Sony and Mattel, both companies with big ties to American youth, were highly ranked in the 2024 Axios and Harris Poll on corporate reputation.
- Mattel made the list for the first time, aided by last summer's release of Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" movie.
By the numbers: Sony ranked #4 of 100 for the second consecutive year.
- Mattel ranked #25, behind UPS and General Electric.
Worthy of your time: The Axios Harris poll measures corporate reputation among the American public.
- Both companies were in the "very good" category, following the highest designation of "excellent."
Flashback: "Barbie" was the highest-grossing film of 2023, earning more than $1.45 billion in the U.S., and becoming a sociocultural moment.
- In second place with regard to earnings was the "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," another pop culture blast from the past.
- The 1950s doll took a new life with the movie's release and its focus on women's empowerment.
State of play: Sony's PlayStation Plus cloud service features classic games to play on the PS4 and PS5.
- "From much-loved hits to forgotten gems, access a catalogue of hundreds of classic games," from the original PlayStation and other early versions of it, the PlayStation website said.
The fine print: Sony ranked high with consumer trust.
- It was also among the less politically polarizing companies for consumers.
Between the lines: Video game emulators are now available on Apple's App Store, sparking fresh interest in playing and preserving classic games.
Zoom out: Gen Z is relishing in analog technology, and returning to the roots of many experiences sidelined by the smartphone.
- CDs and vinyls, landline phones and "dumbphones" have increased in popularity.
Methodology: The 2024 Axios Harris Poll 100 reputation rankings
Go deeper: Get ready to hear more about "pre-internet" times
