Website encourages consumer/supplier dialogue

The UK arm of a new consumer website has launched that is designed to provide customers with a real-time barometer of attitudes towards companies and brands.

Sutori is a global website that allows consumers to share their experiences of products or services with the community, while allowing the brands or companies themselves an opportunity to respond to both positive and negative comment.

The site's unique 'Goodwill Meter' provides an easy guide to how the majority feel, allowing people to rate their experiences on a scale ranging from 'I'm in love' through to 'I'm livid with rage'.

It's this unique graphical 'Goodwill Meter' that its designers feel will attract consumers from across the globe and for the first time, paint a true picture of attitudes towards some of the world's biggest household names.

The website, created by strategic interactive agency, Blast Radius, already features posts on companies such as BT, Sky and Virgin Atlantic.

Currently, financial services companies top both most (ING) and least (Royal Bank) loved categories.

Because of its global nature, Sutori offers people the chance to share their opinions with both a UK and worldwide audience, particularly useful to UK consumers wanting to compare experiences with those from the US - especially to find out if 'Rip-off Britain' is still alive and well.

Unlike many sites designed to simply air grievances, Sutori aims to create a balanced view of a company or brand, providing a platform for both positive and negative stories.

The site actively encourages brands to respond to praise or criticism and through its "meta moderation" of agreeing or disagreeing with the sentiment of the author towards the product or service and providing a more balanced view.

Using this information, brands get an early warning of developing issues and consumers can take the pulse of a brand before committing.

According to Blast Radius, in the current consumer environment paying attention to instruments such as the Goodwill Meter is vital, as, with the speed inherent in the internet, a grass roots campaign can form quickly and do massive damage before a company has time to react.

Even worse, often damage is done to the brand before a problem is even recognised at a senior level.

"As a neutral venue, Sutori allows brand supporters, detractors and brand representatives themselves to have their say," said Gurval Caer, president and CEO, Blast Radius.

"Sutori delivers a' win-win' to both consumer and brand".

Brand perception of many can be shifted by the shared experience of a few.

"Customers now have more opportunity than ever before to influence each other's feelings towards brands and their products", said Caer.

"The brand perception of many can be shifted by the shared experience of a few; this means most brand owners need to work on their listening skills.

"But, so far there has not been much on the web that actually facilities meaningful discussion for the benefit of both supplier and consumer.

"Unlike many community sites, Sutori is not a venue that encourages consumers to indulge in a monologue - simply venting their frustrations.

"It brings together opinion and through its community moderates that opinion and provides brands with an opportunity for dialogue".

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