Apple has knocked Google off the top spot to become the world’s most valuable brand, according to Millward Brown’s annual Brandz list of the 100 most powerful brands.
Google had held the number one position for four years, but was replaced after Apple’s brand value, as estimated by Millward Brown, rose by 84% to $153bn.
‘It is really the iPad that has driven [the increase in Apple's brand value], although the iPhone has continued to do magnificently too, and the development of apps,’ said Peter Walshe, global director of the Brandz report.
In addition to Apple, Facebook, which saw the biggest growth in its brand value, at 246%, and Chinese search engine, Baidu, whose brand value increased by 141%, were 2010′s standout performers, according to Brandz.
Google was the only company in the top ten which saw a reduction, of 2%, in its brand value. IBM, in third place, increased its brand value by 17%, while Microsoft, in fifth, saw an increase of 2%.
Further down the list, Amazon overtook Walmart as the highest placed retail brand. In the UK, Vodafone maintained its place as the most valuable brand, despite a 2% drop in its value.
