Internet search giant Google is the world's most valuable brand, a survey has revealed.
According to Millward Brown's third annual BrandZ Top 100 Most Powerful Brands ranking, Google has a total brand value of a staggering $86.1bn.
General Electric took second place with $71.3bn, followed by Microsoft ($70.88bn) and Coca-Cola ($58.2bn).
China Mobile was fifth on $57.2bn, while IBM came sixth with $55.3bn.
Apple ($55.2bn), McDonalds ($49.4m), (Nokia $43.9bn) and Marlboro ($37.3bn) completed the top 10 this year.
Google has now topped the list for the last two years.
Mobile phone company Vodafone was listed as the most powerful British brand, with a value of $36.8bn.
Since the last ranking Vodafone showed a 75 per cent increase in brand value and moved up 11 places.
Although only six British brands meet the criteria of being a Top 100 global power brand, their combined value did better than average by rising 33 per cent (from $97.7bn in 2006 to $127.22bn in 2007) compared to a rise of 21 per cent for the Top 100 as a whole.
The 2008 ranking is based on analysis of consumer opinion and publicly available financial data for the period January to December 2007.
The ranking reflects the growing power of brands in driving business growth. Analysis shows that companies that own brands in the BrandZ Top 100 have significantly outperformed the stock market when compared to the S&P 500.
"This year's brand ranking demonstrates the importance of investing in brands, especially in times of market turmoil. Strong brands generate superior returns and protect businesses from risk," said Joanna Seddon, chief executive of Millward Brown Optimor.
"Our data shows that strong brands continue to outperform weak ones in terms of market share and share price during recessions."
Warwick Nash, chief executive of UK and Ireland at Millward Brown, added: "The results this year highlight the strength of those British brands that have global clout and are leveraging their brands to help aid their growth.
"But this Ranking is a wake-up call for companies to invest in the power of their brands if they want to grow their business or sustain it in tougher times."
MOST POWERFUL BRANDS
1.) Google £43.0 bn
2.) GE(General Electric)£35.7 bn
3.) Microsoft £35.4 bn
4.) Coca-Cola £29.1 bn
5.) China Mobile £28.6 bn
6.) IBM £27.7 bn
7.) Apple £27.6 bn
8.) McDonald's £24.7 bn
9.) Nokia £22.0 bn
10.) Marlboro £18.6 bn
Source: BrandZ Top 100 Most Powerful Brands
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