Software giant Microsoft is fast approaching the number one slot as the most valuable brand name, the title currently held by Coca-Cola, according to a recent study.
Despite the intense and highly public government scrutiny it has faced, Microsoft managed to increase its brand value by nearly 24 percent during the twelve-month period ending June 1, according to the results of a survey conducted annually by Interbrand, a brand consulting company. Coca-Cola's brand value is currently estimated at $72.2 billion and has held the top slot for two straight years. However, Microsoft is currently valued at $70.2 billion, and Coca-Cola, while remaining at number one, saw its brand value decrease by 13 percent from the previous year.
Interbrand identifies and ranks top global brands valued at $ 1 billion or more. The survey measures brand value by examining market capitalization, revenues and other performance indicators. The company notes that the technology sector created the most brand value in the past 12 months, with IBM closely trailing Microsoft, along with chipmaker Intel and cell phone provider Nokia.
While the technology industry was the biggest brand-value builder of the last 12 months, Internet brands, such as Yahoo and Amazon.com showed the highest growth rates, with Yahoo the highest at 258 percent. U.S. based companies dominate the list with 42 of the top 75.
INTA BULLETIN, October 1, 2000