After a brief demotion to the No. 2 spot last year, Apple has won back its title as the world’s most valuable brand, according to the annual BrandZ ranking put together by marketing research firm Millward Brown.
Google briefly claimed the most valuable brand title last year, interrupting Apple’s three-year run. Apple’s brand value boomed 67% this year, hitting an impressive $247 billion. Google’s brand value, meanwhile, climbed 9% to $174 billion over that same period–making it the No. 2 most valuable brand this year.
Millward calculates the most valuable brands using a mix of market data and consumer surveys to isolate what portion of a company’s value is credit to its brand name.
Here’s the top 8 most valuable brands for 2015:
1. Apple (AAPL)
Brand value: $247 billion
Last year’s value: $148 billion
Change from last year: 67%
2. Google (GOOG)
Brand value: $173 billion
Last year’s value: $158 billion
Change from last year: 9%
3. Microsoft (MSFT)
Brand value: $116 billion
Last year’s value: $90 billion
Change from last year: 28%
4. IBM (IBM)
Brand value: $94 billion
Last year’s value: $108 billion
Change from last year: -13%
5. Visa (V)
Brand value: $92 billion
Last year’s value: $79 billion
Change from last year: 16%
6. AT&T (T)
Brand value: $89 billion
Last year’s value: $78 billion
Change from last year: 15%
7. Verizon (VZ)
Brand value: $86 billion
Last year’s value: $63 billion
Change from last year: 36%
8. Cocal-Cola (KO)
Brand value: $84 billion
Last year’s value: $81 billion
Change from last year: 4%
