Brand Finance, a consulting agency specializing in brand valuation, has released its "Brand Finance Global 100" report ranking the world's most valuable brands.
This annual list is compiled to supplement the "Brand Finance Global 500," which was released back in March. To create its ranking, the agency evaluates companies and awards points based on a brand value index, which is defined as "a benchmarking study of the strength, risk and future potential of a brand relative to its competitor set as well as a brand value: a summary measure of the financial strength of the brand."
We won't give away the most valuable brand (you'll have to view the slideshow to find out), but we will say that it's a tech company that ranked first in both the United States and the rest of the world in Brand Finance's previous release. The new report also reflects several big changes that have taken place since earlier in 2011.
An examination of U.S. technology an IT companies, for example, showed that Apple's brand value has grown most notably in the past six months, according to Brand Finance. "Apple’s value rose 33% making the brand more valuable than rival Microsoft for the first time," writes the study. "Apple’s success can be attributed to its innovative design, loyal consumer base and well-executed marketing activities. Naturally there is speculation about how the brand will be impacted by Steve Jobs recent resignation. However with a culture of innovation across the whole business, the brand is likely to continue to hold a strong."
Though Brand Finance currently ranks Apple as the second most valuable brand in the U.S. (and in the world), a separate study released in May 2011 by global brands agency Millward Brown placed Apple at the top of its most valuable list. In August, Apple briefly surpassed Exxon to become the most valuable company in the U.S., in terms of market capitalization.
Check out the 9 most valuable technology and IT brands based in the U.S. (below), then view our slideshow of the top brands in the world (here), as ranked in the September update of the Brand Finance Global report. Visit Brand Finance's website to view the entire September report.
