Brandwatch

A top-tier social listening and consumer intelligence platform, widely regarded as an enterprise standard for digital audience research and brand monitoring

Brandwatch, now part of Cision, is one of the world's most recognized social media listening and digital consumer intelligence platforms. Founded in 2007 in Brighton, UK, the company built a reputation for delivering deep, AI-powered analytics across billions of online conversations spanning social media, news, blogs, forums, and review sites. Its suite of tools enables brands, agencies, and enterprises to understand consumer sentiment, track brand health, identify emerging trends, and benchmark against competitors in real time. The platform gained significant market traction through a combination of robust data coverage, powerful Boolean query capabilities, and an intuitive interface that appeals to both analysts and marketing executives. Over the years, Brandwatch expanded its capabilities through strategic acquisitions, including Crimson Hexagon in 2018 (adding AI and audience analysis) and Falcon.io in 2021 (adding social media management and publishing). This broadened its offering from pure listening into a more comprehensive social suite covering publishing, engagement, and measurement. In 2022, Cision — a global leader in PR and earned media software — acquired Brandwatch from Francisco Partners for approximately $450 million, integrating it into its portfolio to strengthen its social intelligence capabilities. Under Cision's ownership, Brandwatch continues to operate as a distinct brand and product, serving thousands of enterprise clients worldwide. It competes directly with platforms like Sprinklr, Meltwater, and Talkwalker, and remains a benchmark tool in the social listening and consumer research space.