Interesting data point from a BrandIndex study by YouGov that asked consumers "if they have heard anything about a brand in the past two weeks and if so, was it positive or negative."
The lists were broken up by political affiliation (Democrat, Republican and Independent) plus some lifestyle demographics (the one included in in the Ad Age story was gay/lesbian, or LGBT).
According to the study, only Subway and Ford cross the entire political spectrum, appearing on all four lists.
Not sure what it means except what we already knew -- that Ford is doing a bang up job on branding these days. (Also, with that sort of positive brand affiliation across the political spectrum, maybe we'll see another Ford in national office someday soon.)