BP (NYSE:BP) Image Improving Says Survey

A survey conducted in September found BP's (NYSE:BP) image is starting to become more positive as time goes on following the stopping of the oil well from leaking into the Gulf of Mexico.

Those participating in the survey were asked to state what their feelings were about the company.

The NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found 12 percent of respondents felt either "very positive" (3 percent) or "somewhat positive" (9 percent) about the company.

A large percentage (24 percent) were "neutral" toward BP when asked. That's not that bad when added together. Not that many people would think 36 percent of those on a survey aren't feeling bad toward the oil giant.

On the negative side, 20 percent said they were feeling "somewhat negative" toward the company, and 30 percent were still feeling "very negative" toward them. The other 14 percent decided not to make a choice one way or the other.

In contrast to a prior survey in June when TV and Internet viewers were able to watch the undersea cameras recording the oil spewing into the ocean, a much larger 44 percent were "very negative," and 23 percent were "somewhat negative."

So on the negative side, it has dropped from 67 percent to 50 percent for BP. Definitely good news for them and an improvement.

BP (NYSE:BP) Seeks New PR Head

In a position that may be as hard as capping the failed BP (NYSE:BP) oil well, the energy giant is starting the search for a new public relations leader, as the the company begins its work on healing its diseased reputation.

Since the days in the early part of the crisis when outgoing CEO Tony Hayward committed public relation gaffe after gaffe, the company has been in need of someone in place who can help restore the image of the company.

Now that the oil well is permanently sealed and the focus of the media slowly leaving the company, they have some room to begin working in this regard, and at least something to hang their hat on, although they're just at the beginning process of litigating their way through numerous lawsuits.

The current head of media relations for BP, Andrew Gowers, is expected to stay on at the company, although he'll be reporting to the new communications director when he comes on board.

BP (NYSE:BP) Gas Station Sales Growing with Improved Company Reputation

BP (NYSE:BP) gas station owners are breathing a sigh of relief as the reputation of the company is improving in the U.S., and sales at the stations are improving with it.

In some parts of the country people boycotted the BP gas stations, even though the only connection with BP from the independent owners was they acquired gas from them.

Even in the Gulf region, where consumers had abandoned the BP stations at a rate as high as 50 percent (in sales), they are now coming back close to levels before the oil spill happened.

As far as the rest of the United States, there is some stations experiencing a little less sales, but they're almost all back to numbers that are normal for their businesses.

While BP is still under suspicion by the majority of Americans, they're brand has vastly improved now that the oil spill has been contained and the damage far less than originally feared.