The Trust Barometer on corporate reputation

The Edelman Trust Barometer defines 2009's biggest factors of positive corporate reputations as "quality products and services, a company I can trust and transparency of business practices." It contrasts those values with two of the 2006 factors being "top ranked leadership and strong financial performance." (http://www.edelman.com/speak_up/blog/)

To me, this is obvious. Walmart went from "always lower prices" to "save money live better." The Home Depot went from "you can do it we can help" to "more saving, more doing." Product packaging has become simpler and I have noticed a huge increase in plain white packaging. In my opinion businesses have gone this direction because white represents purity and trust and the previous gaudy, flashy packaging could be misconstrued as meaning deceptive and over-the-top. In 2006, as a nation, Americans were craving financial stability after the bubble burst. In 2009 Americans are craving purity, simplicity and trust after the bank bailouts and shady CEOs.