Brexit branding: The 10 brands most loved by Remain and Leave voters

Leave voters are more likely to prefer straightforward and traditional brands while Remain voters prefer progressive and innovative companies

HP was among the brands favoured by Leave voters (Getty Images)

The results of the EU referendum have divided the country by class, age and region. But now a survey from the world of advertising has shown Remain and Leave voters are also divided by their favourite brand.

The RKCR/Y&R agency used data from YouGov to cross reference the consumer preferences of more than 100,000 people with how they voted.

More traditional and straightforward brands such HP Sauce, Bisto or PG Tips were picked by Brexiters, according to Emily James, chief strategy officer of the RKCR/Y&R agency, who revealed the results in an article for Campaign.

Instagram, BBC iPlayer or Spotify were seen as more progressive and up-to-date. They were favoured by Britons who voted to stay in the EU.

James said a government that wants to appeal to both sides of divided Britain might do well to adopt both sets of behaviours together.

“Examining the behaviours of brands that successfully engage these different audiences might help us understand more about this divide and reveal opportunities to truly build one nation,” she wrote.

Money Saving Expert, NSPCC, TK Maxx and M&S customers were split 50/50.

James attributed the divide to these brands ability to appeal to a wide range of people.

“Money Saving Expert is both simple and intelligent in its advice and tone, while TK Maxx is traditional in its offer of designer brands, but innovative in its business model of giving mainstream access,” James wrote.

“For a Government to genuinely bridge the cultural divide that runs so deep in our country, it might seek inspiration from the brands that already cross this chasm successfully,” she added.

The Independent has contacted RKCR/Y&R agency for additional comment.

John Shaw, chief product officer at Brand Union, a global brand and creative design consultancy agency, said the analysis underlined the theory that the vote did not just reflect a political issue, but a clash of two divergent cultural and attitudinal worlds.

"The analysis has sensibly tried to ensure that the differences are not just being driven by factors like age, by comparing Leave and Remain within the same demographic group.

"It could be illuminating to supplement this by talking conversationally and in situ with Leave and Remain voters about why they choose the brands they do, what they mean to them, how they tie into their own personal values and so on. Something the Remain campaign should perhaps have done more of anyway," Shaw told the Independent.

"It’s ironic that the Leave brands are seen as less ‘innovative’ since to some extent it’s the Leave scenario that is the unknown one, whereas to Remain was to vote for the status quo. It’s also ironic that the Leave brand icon, HP Sauce, carries an image of the Houses of Parliament….whose occupants came out overwhelmingly in favour of Remain," he added.

The 10 brands: Leave voters

1. HP Sauce

(Getty Images)

2. Bisto

Aah! Bisto maker Premier Foods has stirred up a tasty pensions deal (REX)

3. ITV News

(Getty)

4. The Health Lottery

5. Birds Eye

Birds Eye's parent company Iglo Group has been bought for £1.9bn (Corbis)

6. Iceland

Iceland was the third least ethical

7. Sky News

(Getty Images)

8. Cathedral City

(Cathedral City)

9. PG Tips

(Reuters)

10. Richmond sausages

(Richmond-sausage)

Top 10 brands: Remain voters

1. BBC.co.uk

'No good reason' for high-earners in the BBC to 'hide' their pay, MPs say (GETTY)

2. BBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer users and TV viewers are expected to pay the £150.50 annual TV Licence fee (Getty)

3. Instagram

A screen displays a "This event will begin shortly" message before an Instagram event (Reuters)

4. London Underground

Queen’s Park and Kensal Green stations are on the Bakerloo Tube line, and also have Overground trains to Euston. Brondesbury Park and Kensal Rise stations have Overground trains to Clapham Junction and Highbury & Islington. All station are in Zone 2 and an annual travelcard to Zone 1 costs £1,296. (Daniel Lynch)

5. Spotify

6. Airbnb

(REUTERS)

7. LinkedIn

(Reuters)

8. Virgin Trains

9. Twitter

In recent months Twitter has been forced to recognise that bullied people walking away isn't good for its reputation (Getty)

10. EasyJet

EasyJet Plane (Getty)