BlackRock is tops in innovation, according to a survey of advisors conducted by New York City-based consulting shop kasina. BlackRock had the highest score in the FA Vision Index for the second quarter of 2011. iShares, which BlackRock bought as part of its acquisition of Barclays Global Investors, is No. 3.

The results form part of the FA Vision Benchmarking Survey, which drew 2,922 responses from advisors between April 21 and June 7.

Innovation was among the brand attributes included in the survey, and, for each attribute, advisors can pick from the top 100 asset managers by AUM.

"Our FA Vision data shows that innovation is a key brand attribute that drives advisor loyalty," said FA Vision product manager Hari Krishnaswami in a press release. "Firms such as Blackrock, PIMCO and Rydex/SGI are noted for creating products that are in demand by advisors."

Here are the firms with the highest scores on the innovation index:

1. Blackrock
2. Pimco
3. iShares
4. Ivy
5. Fidelity
6. Powershares
7. American Funds
8. Frankin Templeton Investments
9. Dimensional Fund Advisors
10. Rydex/SGI 

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