Apple Surpasses Google to Reclaim Title of World's Most Valuable Brand

Apple was named the most valuable global brand in market research firm Millward Brown's tenth annual BrandZ brand value report [PDF], seeing a 67% rise in brand value to $246.9 billion. The Cupertino-based company surpassed Google, which ranked first in the 2014 report, to reclaim the top ranking in the study for the fourth time in the past five years. See BrandZ's annual reports in 2011, 2012 and 2013 for reference.

"With a 67 percent rise in Brand Value to $247 billion, Apple returned to number one in the BrandZ™ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands ranking. Success of the iPhone 6 and the related excitement surrounding the Apple brand drove the increase. Apple also led in the rate of brand value growth over 10 years – 1,446 percent."

2015 BrandZ Rankings Apple
The top ten most valuable global brands in the report is made up almost entirely of technology and telecom companies, with Microsoft, IBM, Visa, AT&T, Verizon, Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Marlboro rounding off the top ten after Apple and Google. Other notable technology companies on the list include Facebook (12th), Amazon (14th), HP (39th), Oracle (44th), Samsung (45th) and Twitter (92nd).

Millward Brown explains that its brand valuation methodology is based on three million consumers and more than 100,000 different brands in over 50 markets, with brand appeal measured against actual sales performance. The overall brand value of BrandZ's index saw a 14% year-over-year increase and 126% growth over the past decade.

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Top Rated Comments

ZacNicholson Avatar
132 months ago
sad that tobacco is still in the top 10
Score: 46 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NoNothing Avatar
132 months ago
That is nothing new

I expect this continue to flip back and forth for a bit. Google has just announced and is working on some interesting projects, so I expect this to flip back and forth a few times.

Regardless, nice to see these companies with huge offerings surpass a company that essentially sells only sugar water.

Google is always announcing "interesting" projects. Just none of them are worth much of late. Think back to Google Maps and Gmail for their last really interesting projects.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jsameds Avatar
132 months ago
…and alcohol. It should be banned immediately and made highly illegal.

Errrrrr....


No.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
132 months ago
sad that tobacco is still in the top 10

No sadder than crappy fatty foods and teeth-rotting drinks being in the top 10. :)
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ditzy Avatar
132 months ago
This list obviously has an American bias, I don't say that because of Apple and Google and the like. It's AT&T and Verizon which have me scratching my head. They don't exist outside the United States. Being in the top ten of a world's most valuable brand list makes no sense, and makes it hard to take seriously at all.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macintologist Avatar
132 months ago
What exactly is the brand appeal of AT&T and Verizon?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)