Google world's top brand; first to hit $100-bn

Internet search engine giant Google has emerged as the world's number one brand and is also the first one to touch the $100 billion-mark, despite the tough economic environment.

According to the the fourth annual BrandZ top 100 most valuable global brands ranking, Google is the number one brand with a value of $100 billion and is way ahead of Microsoft which is at the second rank with a value of $76.2 billion.

Coca-Cola has entered the top three league for the first time with a value of $67.6 billion.

The study further said in a year of global financial turmoil, when every key financial indicator plummeted, the value of brands remained strong.

Total value of the top 100 most valuable global brands has increased by 2 per cent to $1.95 trillion and among the top 100 brands, 85 remain from last year’s listing, the report published by research firm Millward Brown Optimor said.

Commenting on the findings Millward Brown Optimor CEO Joanna Seddon said: "In the current environment, where the value of many businesses has fallen, brand has become even more important because it can help to sustain companies in tough times."

Seddon further said "those who continue to invest in their brand will be better positioned for business growth as the economic situation starts to improve than those who have cut spend".