According to the 'social brand value' ranking, Apple, maker of the iPhone, iPad and iMac, overtook search-engine giant Google to become the most valuable brand in the World. Apple's brand value raised 84% in the past year to $153.3 billion. Google's brand decreased 2% to $111.5 billion, ending four years atop the rankings.
Twelve of the top 100 global brands were from China, led by China Mobile at No. 9 and Industrial & Commercial Bank of China at No. 11. Azamon.com, which ranked 14th, overtook Wal-Mart Stores, which ranked 15th, to become the most-valuable retail brand. Microsoft slipped to third place for this result.
