Apple dethroned by Google as world's most valuable brand

According to a recent survey by Research firm Millward Brown, Google has been named ahead of Apple as the world's most valuable brand. Apple has been dethroned as the world's most valuable brand as the company battles declining market share and a perception that it cannot deliver innovative products without former CEO, Steve Jobs.

"We are seeing signs of consumer confidence returning and this has been exploited by strong brands," says Peter Walshe, global director of Millward Brown's Global BrandZ. "These brands got a real wake-up call in the recessionary period after 2008. Strong brands have taken on that message and have thought hard about their customers, and how to be relevant to them."

Google's brand value increased 40% to $158.8 billion, while Apple's fell 20% to $147.8 billion. In third, fourth and fifth place respectively were IBM, which dropped 4% to $107.5 billion; Microsoft, which rose 29% to $90.18 billion; and McDonald's, which slipped 5% to $85.7 billion. Perhaps the most surprising presence is Chinese Web portal Tencent at Number 14. Facebook is 21st and Samsung 29th.

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