10 Most Powerful Global Brands of 2012

Apple remains the fastest-growing global brand a year after its founder Steve Jobs' death. The maker of iPhone and iPad improved its ranking in the annual Best Global Brands report of Interbrand to No. 2 in 2012 from No. 8 last year and its brand value increased 129 per cent to $76.57 billion (approx Rs .4 lakh crore).  While Coca-Cola retained the top slot, technology brands occupied half of the top 10 slots. Take a look at the list.

1. Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola has a brand value of $77,839 million. This name is considered to be more universally recognized than any other brand in the world. The report states that the company excels at keeping the brand fresh while maintaining a powerful sense of nostalgia that unites generations of Coke lovers and reinforces consumers’ deep connections to the brand. The brand promises fun, freedom, and refreshment. It owns and markets a range of nonalcoholic sparkling beverage brands, which includes Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite. The Company's segments include Eurasia and Africa, Europe, Latin America, North America, Pacific, Bottling Investments and Corporate.

2. Apple

Apple has a brand value of $76,568 million. Products associated with the brand Apple has definitely raised the bar in the technology sector and revolutionized the way we live. The report states that Steve Jobs simplified the complex, democratized technology that was once out of reach, and built a brand so powerful that it forever changed the way consumers think of brands. The Company's products and services include iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod, Apple TV, a portfolio of consumer and professional software applications, the iOS and Mac OS X operating systems, iCloud, and a range of accessory, service and support offerings. It also sells and delivers digital content and applications through the iTunes Store, App Store, iBookstore, and Mac App Store.

3. IBM

IBM has a brand value of $75,532 million. This US based technology company is considered as one of the world’s most innovative and sustainable brands. The report states that IBM remains a textbook example of how to create, build, and deliver a world-leading business-to-business brand. IBM provides clients with business solutions requiring advanced computing power and storage capabilities. Global Financing invests in financing assets, leverages with debt and manages the associated risks.

4. Google

Google has a brand value of $69,726 million. The company has transformed itself with many innovations every year. The report states that the company is known for making bold bets and also Google faces stiff competition from the likes of Apple and Microsoft. As of December 31, 2011, the Company's business was focused on areas, such as search, advertising, operating systems and platforms, and enterprise. Businesses use its AdWords program to promote their products and services with targeted advertising.

5. Microsoft

Microsoft has a brand value of $57,853 million. This company is known as one of the world’s most recognized companies which refreshed its corporate identity in August. The report states that Microsoft pushed into the hardware market with its own Surface tablets and into the competitive fray, a move which will most likely define the brand’s future. Its products include operating systems for personal computers (PCs), servers, phones, and other intelligent devices; server applications for distributed computing environments; productivity applications; business solution applications; desktop and server management tools; software development tools; video games, and online advertising.

6. GE

GE has a brand value of $43,682 million. The report states that as the market swooned over social networks, the mobile media revolution, and the all-knowing cloud, GE pulled the ultimate trump card. GE’s focus has been squarely on asserting its global leadership role. Its segments include Energy Infrastructure, Technology Infrastructure, NBC Universal, GE Capital and Home & Business Solutions. Effective January 1, 2011, it reorganized Technology Infrastructure segment into three segments: Aviation, Healthcare and Transportation.

7. McDonald’s

McDonald’s has a brand value of $40,062 million. The leading foodservice retailer has over 33,500 restaurants in 119 countries. The report states that McDonald’s stands out because of its exceptional brand management, significant global presence, leadership in sustainable practices and admirable approach to consumer engagement. . These restaurants serve a menu at various price points providing value in 119 countries globally. All restaurants are operated either by the Company or by franchisees, including conventional franchisees under franchise arrangements, and developmental licensees and foreign affiliated markets under license agreements.

8. Intel

Intel has a brand value of $39,385 million. The report states that the rise of smartphones, and the shift from “the era of computers to the era of computing,” has made it hard for the brand to stretch from the processors for PCs and servers for which it is known, into a broader set of technology offerings. The Company's platforms are used in a range of applications, such as personal computers (PCs) (including Ultrabook systems), data centers, tablets, smartphones, automobiles, automated factory systems and medical devices.

9. Samsung

Samsung has a brand value of $32,893 million. The company is considered as one of the global leaders in terms of smartphones. The report states that the company is one of the biggest successes in 2012, marked by a meteoric 40 percent rise in brand value. The company manufactures and sells digital media products such as digital televisions (TVs), monitors, printers, air conditioners, refrigerators and others, as well as information and communication products such as third-generation (3G) phones, smart phones, and communication systems. They also memory chips, system large scale integrated circuit (LSI) products, storages and others, as well as liquid crystal display (LCD) products such as LCD displays used for TVs, monitors, notebook personal computers (PCs) and others.

10. Toyota

Toyota has a brand value of $30,280 million. The report states that the resilience of the Toyota brand seems to have closed the chapter on sudden acceleration and helped the carmaker in reclaiming its global leadership position. The Company operates through three business segments. The Automobile segment is engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of car products, including sedans, minivans, 2BOX cars, sport-utility vehicles and trucks, as well as the related parts and accessories. The Finance segment is involved in the provision of financial services related to the sale of the Company's products, as well as the leasing of vehicles and equipment. The segment is involved in the design, manufacture and sale of housings, as well as information and communication business.