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The Most Powerful People on Twitter

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I Love Twitter – I’m at @Balavage- so I was excited when i launched the inaugural i Twitter 100

The List reveals the most influential people in Britain on Twitter

Sarah Brown tops list ahead of Stephen Fry


i, the first new national newspaper for 25 years, has today launched the inaugural
i Twitter 100 – a list of the most powerful Britons on Twitter. The list, to be published in the paper today (Tuesday 15th February), is the first time ever that the most influential, rather than most followed, people have been ranked.

The top ten includes commentators from the worlds of comedy, philanthropy, music, fashion and broadcasting with Sarah Brown topping the list. Surprise entries in the top ten are Umair Haque (5), a corporate strategist and blogger, and Zee M Kane (8=) who is editor-in-chief at The Next Web.

The i Twitter 100 top ten is below

1.Sarah Brown
2.Richard Bacon
3. Eddie Izzard
4. Stephen Fry
5. Umair Haque
6. Russell Brand
7. Tinchy Stryder
8= Hilary Alexander
8= Zee M Kane
10. Fearne Cotton

i, the UK’s most innovative paper, worked with the PeerIndex to compile the list using methodology that worked out who holds the most influence and power, not just who has the most followers. The workings are based on the number of re-tweets each person generates and the language associated with them.

Commenting on the results, Independent and i Editor-in-Chief Simon Kelner said;
“Five years ago, Twitter was regarded as a passing fad. Today it is a phenomenon, influencing world events and news stories in every sphere of life. This inaugural list recognises the power of Twitter and those with the most influence.’

Highlights from the list include:

· Sarah Brown, White Ribbon Alliance, (1) knocks Stephen Fry (4) off his perch.

· Richard Bacon is highest DJ (2). Radio 1’s Fearne Cotton (10) beats Chris Moyles (70=).

· Sir Alan Sugar (14=) beats arch rival Piers Morgan (61=).

· Jonathan Ross (27=) beats Piers Morgan (61=) in the battle of the presenters.

· Boris Johnson (36=) is highest politician on the list, followed by ex MP Dr Evan Harris (66=), Tom Watson, Labour MP for West Bromwich East, (68) and John Prescott (93). Sally Bercow, wife of the Speaker of the House is included (91).

· Katie Price, model and business woman features in the list (88=).

· Tinchy Stryder (7) is the highest music entry, beating Lily Allen (36=) and Mark Ronson (97).

· Businessmen include Duncan Bannatyne (12=), Sir Alan Sugar (14=), Theo Paphitis (54=) and Peter Jones (77=).

· Surprise entries in the top ten are Umair Haque (5), a corporate strategist and blogger, and Zee M Kane (8=) who is editor-in-chief at The Next Web.

Breakdown of results by sector

Media

· Digital writers feature highly, with the Guardian’s Jemima Kiss (14=), Bad Science writer Ben Goldacre (18=) and The FT’s Tim Bradshaw (48=) all making the list.

· Broadsheet journalists were well represented with The Telegraph’s fashion guru Hilary Alexander (8=), The Independent’s Johann Hari (20=), The Guardian’s Alan Rusbridger (22=), The Sunday Times columnist India Knight (42=) and Caitlin Moran (96) making the top 100.

· Alastair Campbell, the now author and diarist, is the only PR entry (66=).

Broadcasters

  • C4’s Krishnan Guru-Murphy (24=) comes out top of the TV list, followed by Jonathan Ross (27=).


  • Jonathan Ross (27=) beats Piers Morgan (61=) followed by Jon Snow (70=).


  • BBC correspondents include Robert Peston (31=) and political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg (80=).


  • Richard Bacon is highest DJ (2), followed by; Radio 1’s Fearne Cotton (10), Annie Mac (87) and Chris Moyles (70=).

Comedians

  • Eddie Izzard (3) comes top, followed by Russell Brand (6), Jimmy Carr (31=) and Simon Pegg (36=). Josie Long is the only female comedian (54=).


Music

  • Tinchy Stryder (7) is the highest music entry, followed by instrumentalist Imogen Heap (14=), Lily Allen (36=), Marina Diamandis, Marina & The Diamonds, (61=) and Mark Ronson (97).


Fashion

  • Highest fashion entries are for Telegraph’s Hilary Alexander (8=), fashion bloggers Liberty London Girl (34) and Style Bubble’s Susie Lau (36=).


Politics

  • The politicians to make it are Boris Johnson (36=) and John Prescott (93=). Sally Bercow, wife of the Speaker of the House, is also in (93=). Guido Fawkes (27=), political blogger, makes the top 100.


Internet

  • Digital and corporate strategists include Umair Haque (5), Zee M Kane (8=) and entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox (77=).


  • David Rowan, editor of Wired (70=), and Mike Butcher (14=), editor of TechCrunch, both make it into the top 100.


  • Bloggers include financial journalist Felix Salmon (12=) and Don Tapscott (18=).


Business

  • Three out of five Dragons are included, Duncan Bannatyne (12=), Theo Paphitis (54=) and Peter Jones (77=).


Academics

  • Richard Dawkins (22=), British ethologist and evolutionary biologist, and Tim Harford (20=), The Undercover Economist / Financial Times, are both on the list.


Sports

  • Sportsmen include golfer Ian Poulter (51=), cricketer Michael Vaughan (91), footballer Rio Ferdinand (95) and cricketer Kevin Pietersen (100).