The Most Valuable Brands in the World

PALO ALTO, CA - APRIL 28: A customer looks at the new white iPhone 4 at the Apple store April 28, 2011 in Palo Alto, California. The long awaited white iPhone, first announced in June of 2010, went on sale worldwide for the first time today. (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

There always seems to be questions about which brands are the most impactful and powerful on the planet, with consumers wondering what and why some have more success than others. Although there are arguments that it’s the billions a company spends on advertising, while others have found that revenue has been created more organically thanks to word of mouth, guerilla-like marketing and the focus on creating solid products and customer experience, no matter what a brand believes to be the best strategy, these five seem to have it down—because they are the most valuable in the world—excluding sports franchises.

5. Google – $47.3 Billion

Of course Google is on this list somewhere. It’s one of the most progressive companies in the world, offering aspiring entrepreneurs opportunities a chance to make their dreams a reality through the Google Ventures platform, as well as helping shape the way people use the Internet.

For anyone who has been to the Google campus at its home campus in Mountain View, CA, they understand why so many techies do what they can to not only stay happy, but also go all-in for the company—which only adds to production.

4. IBM – $50.7 Billion

One thing people have to recognize is that IBM is doing what it can to continue to try and narrow the gap between them and other tech companies—which are just a few as you’ll see below.

With a ton of spending being done at the Kirkland, WA-based company, the hope is to either acquire or develop a cloud-type system for its customers to enjoy.

This will no doubt only add value to an already leading tech company.

3. Coca-Cola – $54.9 Billion

Everyone is familiar with the Coke brand, with the company taking chances as a corporate sponsor on a number of different events.

And with a powerful presence comes revenue that creates more opportunity to take chances.

One of the most prominent brands when it comes to advertising, Coca-Cola isn’t stingy on trying to push its weight around in overtaking any other drink company threatening its reign at the top.

2. Microsoft – $56.7 Billion

Headquartered in Redmond, WA, Microsoft continues to try and keep up with other of the mighty tech brands that seem to be built and reside in Silicon Valley—and seeing how they’re No. 2 here, they’ve done pretty good job of it.

The biggest question for the company now isn’t what new products and development they continue to pump out, but how new CEO Satya Nadella will help guide the direction of the company, taking over for Bill Gates.

1. Apple – $104.3 Billion

Is it any surprise that the company who everyone on the planet believes has some sort of fairy dust over every product they make lands at No. 1 on this list?

Probably not.

But what’s most shocking isn’t just how valuable Apple is, but how much more valuable it is than any of the others on this list, nearly doubling the second-most valuable, Microsoft.

Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images

Written by Nick Dimengo

Graduate of the University of Kentucky. Cleveland sports fan. Frustrated respecter of LeBron James. Influencer of bad ideas. In addition to Worthly/Housely, I'm a regular contributor to Bleacher Report, Scout, Esquire and Maxim, and run or bike way too much for my own good when not writing. The day a Cleveland sports team wins a title is the day I can officially say my life is complete.