Google 'still world's top brand'

Google's tribulations in China have failed to knock the Internet giant from its perch as the world's most powerful brand, according to a report.

WPP-owned research company Millward Brown puts Google at number one in its annual top 100 global brand power list for the fourth year running, with a 14% year-on-year increase in its value to $114bn (£75bn), despite the fact it has effectively pulled out of China over censorship issues. However, Facebook once again failed to make even the top 100 on the Millward Brown list. Despite the incessant hype around Facebook and its potential market valuation, The Brandz report gave Facebook a brand value of just $5.5bn, Peter Walshe, director at Millward Brown, explained that despite having an exceptionally strong brand the company had a long way to go to prove its financial clout. The report, which balances brand power with financial performance, bumped the Apple juggernaut up three places to third slot with a 32% year-on-year increase in brand value to $83bn. The phenomenal popularity of the iPhone, along with the hype surrounding the iPad, sent Apple's share price to a record high earlier this month as profits jumped 90% in the first quarter.