Apple Top Brand in the US, Second in the World

I definately think there's a lot of good points brought up by the previous comments. However, I think that this has less to do with "value" or "recognition" as sole factors, and more to do with the "whole" of the brand. Apple isn't as recognizable as, say, Wal-Mart, or McDonalds, or Coca-Cola... But the perception of the brand itself - what Apple "represents" - is more "appealing" in a lot of ways. The "idea" of Apple, as a brand, is "something better" than the rest, in the minds of many people, and I think that is what is represented here.

I bet I'd make a lot more coherent sense if I were a little more awake but I woke up and read the article and comments, and felt compelled to say my piece before I lost my train of thought or went back to sleep ;)

--Kristin

I always thought Coke was the top brand in the world as well. Especially in smaller and less technologically advanced places where the average person may not have a computer and internet yet!

You're right sid. The most expensive brand in the world is Coke. I'm sure popularity greatly factors greatly into that equation. And this is survey was flawed in the first place. I think starting with 2500 people to represent the world is the first error. Slashdot gets more votes than that on some of its daily polls...

isn't the Coke brand name estimated at $8billion? i'd sya that's the top brand name and recognizable anywhere in the world, even in the poorest country without any access to technology

Until Google is something I can buy, all the brand rankings in the world don't mean jack shit.

McDonalds, Nike, and Coke. I think everyone in the worlds knows those brands.

I can't speak for the world, but as far as the U.S. goes, Wal-Mart & McDonalds certainly has more recognition than Apple, Google, Starbucks, etc.

I'm guessing this ranking has more to do with pure recognition, though, as somehow takes into consideration the "perception" of the brand. If not, then why wouldn't Microsoft (or even Dell) be ranked higher than Apple? They most certainly have broader reach, but are probably not very well regarded.

This conclusion works with Target, as well. Wal-Mart is definitely better-known, but Target has a certain "glow" about it.

.02

Google should have been above Apple, no question.

We don't even have Target shops in Canada so I presume this list is US only.

I believe that McDonalds is the most recognized brand globally, and therefore has the most brand equity. I wonder how this survey was conducted, if the survey was done online that could skew the results considerably since you would only be selection from a group of relatively technically savvy people.