Google remains the most valuable brand in 2008

According to the results of the third annual BrandZ Ranking list, Google is on top again with a brand value of $86.1 billion, followed by General Electric at $71.4 and Microsoft at $70.8 billion respectively. The biggest rise in brand value came from Apple with a 123 percent increase compared to last year, while Chinese brands continue to notably progress.

Google's brand remained ahead of General Electric, Microsoft and Coca-Cola with rankings valued at $71.4, $70.9 and $58.2 billion respectively.

Apple is the most significant brand value gaining company in the top 10 list with a 123 percent rise compared to last year’s result. The launch of new revolutionary iPhone and new iPod touch models last year are seen as the reason for the significant gain. Â

The outperforming of the technology sector and strengthening Chinese brands were also revealed by the results to the new edition of the ranking.

According to the ranking; the technology sector, including mobile operators, which accounted for 28 of the top 100 brands, outperformed all other categories in this year’s BrandZ Ranking, with a brand value growth of $187.5 billion that is more than half of the Top 100’s total increase.

The other striking result of this year’s BrandZ Ranking is the progress of Chinese brands which continued to gain strength. Seven brands in this year’s Top 100 come from mature Asian economies: Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong. Four Chinese brands made it into the list, including China Mobile.

China Mobile, Bank of China, China Construction Bank and ICBC are only just starting to expand beyond China and so have considerable potential for further growth.