Names such as the Tatas, Birlas and Reliance have failed to make it to global brand valuation firm Interbrand's hallowed Global 100 list, which is an annual ranking of the best brands in the world.
This comes at a time when most homegrown companies have been venturing abroad making acquisitions and organically growing their businesses.
Interbrand rival Brand Finance, which also releases an annual list of the best brands in the world, has already inducted Indian companies into its list in keeping with the growing aggression and appetite for growth among Indian companies.
But Graham Hales, chief executive officer, Interbrand London, argues that the methodology used by the two brand valuation firms are totally different. "We look at the financial performance of the branded product or service. The role the brand plays in influencing consumer choice and the strength the brand has to command a premium price or secure earnings for the company," he says.
Hales says that Indian companies while getting there, still have some work to do in terms of creating a familiarity in markets outside of India. "Yes, groups such as the Tatas have made some significant acquisitions abroad, but it does not necessarily tie up with the core brand name. That's why they don't figure in the Top 100 list," he says.
The names that do crop up in the list include beverage giant Coca-Cola, which is the number one brand valued at $77.84 billion, followed by Apple at $76.57 billion, then IBM ($75.53 billion), Google ($69.73 billion), Microsoft ($57.85 billion), GE ($43.68 billion), McDonald's ($40.06 billion), Intel ($39.39 billion), Samsung ($32.89 billion) and Toyoto ($30.28 billion).
In fact, Korean chaebol Samsung breaks into the Top 10 list for the very first time in the history of the list, while Japanese giant Toyoto has reclaimed its position in the Top 10 after slipping last year over recall issues.
The overall value of the Top 100 brands, says Hales, has grown 10% this year over last year, suggesting that despite tough economic conditions in many markets, these brands have been able to put up a good show.
Also, companies with a high innovation quotient appear to have been rewarded handsomely showing marked growth in their brand values this year over last year. For instance, in the Top 10 list, Apple showed the highest growth, seeing a 129% increase in brand value this year over last year. Samsung followed next with 40% growth in brand value this year over last year.