Coca-Cola tops global brand league

Coca-Cola still remains the top brand globally, according to Interbrand's best global brand survey, in association with Newsweek, released yesterday.

Coca-Cola has a brand value of $67.394 billion - down 4% from $70.453 billion in the 2003 rankings. "Little innovation beyond its flagship brand and poor management has caught up with Coke as consumers' thirst for cola has diminished," the report said.

Microsoft, which is ranked second, also shed brand value in 2004 dropping 6% to $61.372 billion from $65.174 billion in 2003.

Eight of the world's top 10 brands by value are still American, the survey said.

The real surprise in the list are tech firms like Apple and Amazon.Apple Computer, which has rocked the world with iPod digital music players, has gained a whopping 24% in brand value to $6.871 billion in 2004 from $5.554 billion in 2003. Amazon saw a 22% increase in brand value to $4.156 billion from $3.403 billion.

Nokia, which is still among the top 10 brands globally, was the biggest loser in absolute terms. The mobile phone leader saw an 18% drop in brand value to $24.041 billion from $29.440 billion in 2003 - a loss of more than $5 billion. "Tough times for the mobile phone giant as its market share has slipped, and younger buyers turn to rivals such as Samsung," the report said.

Click here for the Top 100 ranking