Are many potential MBA employers in the US familiar with INSEAD?

But go in with your eyes open about the fact that is much more difficult to break into the US market compared to a similar school in the USA.

in 2008 - only 4-5% of the class ended up in NA.
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INSEAD Sept 2010 Interview Invite Nov 5, 2009 Admit & Matriculating
Wharton Sept 2010 Interview Invite Oct 30, 2009 Waitlisted & Ding
Harvard Sept 2010 Ding without Interview
Ivey May 2010 Interview Invite Nov 23, 2009 Admit + $$

good to know...i want to apply here

generally speaking INSEAD is less well than its equivalent calibre US schools and perhaps even less well known than US schools of arguably slightly lower calibre. I think INSEAD is aware of this and this will change as they have opened a marketing office in the US recently (I believe in New York).

Having said that, if you're concern is whether you can land a job in the US, it is definitely possible. If you read some student blogs from INSEAD you'll notice many of them get jobs in the US, an ex-colleague of mine who graduated in 09D and is headed to the states now for work. What is more of a concern is really your visa. US schools primarily consist of US citizens and hence have no visa troubles. If you are a INSEAD student chances are your an Indian, Brazilian, Portugese, Australian etc etc. so a) it might be more difficult for you to get a visa and hence b) you might be slightly less attractive to companies if they have to sponsor you, vs. hiring someone of equivalent calibre directly out of say Wharton for arguments sake.

But back to brand equity, I think with schools such as INSEAD, the people that matter will know it (ie. good organisations and desirable places to work). It shouldn't really matter if your mechanic or florist knows Harvard but not INSEAD, unless of course you intend to work for him/her Obviously this is my personal opinion, and people put different weighting on brand/reputation.