Study ranks 72 luxury brands on #digitalfootprint competency #socialmedia

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One interpretation of the term “digital footprint” is about a brands reach, influential and consumer engagement. This study shows fashion brands hold eight of the top 10 slots in the second annual Digital IQ Index for Luxury. Only two brands, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren, managed to hang on to their ‘Genius’ ranking, with newcomers, Coach, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Burberry and Dolce & Gabbana making significant investments in the medium in 2010. The Digital IQ Index® measures and ranks a brand’s “digital footprint” across four dimensions: effectiveness of a brand’s site, digital marketing, social media and mobile.

The top 10 brands are:

1. Coach
2. Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren (tied)
4. Gucci
5. Hugo Boss
6. Burberry
7. Dolce & Gabbana
8. Giorgio Armani, Swarovski (tied)
10. Tiffany

Key findings of the Digital IQ Index include:

  • The standard deviation of Digital IQ increased from 29 to 39 from 2009 to 2010 indicating a larger disparity across brand efforts. Legendary brands such as Prada, Christian Dior, Cartierand Rolex dropped significantly suggesting they are largely ignoring the digital medium.
  • Traffic to brand sites from Facebook more than doubled in 2010, growing from 3.4 percent to 7.1percent with 73 percent of luxury brands registering the social media giant as a top eight source of traffic. Traffic from Twitter and YouTube decreased.
  • Brand sites with social sharing recorded annual traffic growth of 42 percent versus 18 percent forbrands without social sharing suggesting the increasing importance of social media optimization.
  • There is a Digital IQ disparity across the three major luxury conglomerates, LVMH boasts an average IQ of 118 across its eight brands in the study. Gucci Group registered an average IQ of 109 across five brands. Richemont has fallen behind with an IQ of just 84 across its nine brands.
  • Digital competence leads to more site traffic. The 21 brands that increased their Digital IQ demonstrated annual traffic growth of 52 percent versus traffic growth of just 8 percent for brands that registered IQ decreases.
  • The 39 brands that sell online boast a Digital IQ of 117 versus an average IQ of 79 for the 33 brands that are not e-commerce-enabled.
  • There is still substantial low hanging fruit around basic digital marketing tactics. Only half of brands engage in email marketing, only two in five are purchasing search terms and only 10% have mobile sites.

To download the ranking and preview of the report go to: www.L2thinktank.com/luxury2010digitaliq

Professor Galloway will discuss the results from his study at the L2 Innovation Forum, co- hosted by NYU Stern, to be held on Friday, November 5, 2010 at The Morgan Library in New York City. To register, visit: http://l2innovation2010-StudyPressRelease.eventbrite.com