news

A brand is arguably the most valuable asset a business can possess; where the most powerful brands are concerned, often the worth of the brand identity will far outweigh the product being sold. It is a terse statement of fact that a well-marketed brand will add significant value to a product by enabling consumers to identify with the brand and to differentiate between like-products on the market.

In 2006 Interbrand and Business Week compiled a list of the top 100 most valuable brands in the world. The top ten brands, according to the study, were as follows:

Coca-cola

Microsoft

IBM

GE

Intel

Nokia

Toyota

Disney

McDonald’s

Mercedes-Benz

The list was compiled on the basis of Interbrand’s empirical research, which took into account factors such as the amount of earnings derived from outside the brand’s home country and its ability to be recognisable outside its base of customers. The data compiled measured a brand’s strength in light of its future profitability as well as the present value of the brand. However, the assessment criteria used meant that certain well known brands, such as Mars, were not taken into consideration.

Follow the link provided below to view the list in its entirety http://bwnt.businessweek.com/brand/2006/