Apple scores as second best global brand in new report
The iPhone maker has snagged the No. 2 spot in Interbrand's Best Global Brands for 2012, a 129 percent leap from last year.
Apple is the second best brand in the world, according to market research firm Interbrand.
Among the 100 best global brands for the year, Apple came in just behind top-seated Coca-Cola. Based on specific factors, Coca-Cola scored a total brand value of $77.8 million, while Apple was given a value of $76.5 million.
In ascending to second place, Apple saw a 129 percent rise in its brand value since last year, the largest gain among all the brands on the list.
How does Interbrand choose which brands it considers best?
The research firm uses three factors: 1) the financial performance of the branded product or service; 2) the role the brand plays in influencing consumers; and 3) the strength of the brand in asking a premium price for its products or bringing in earnings for the company.
Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs passed away almost a year ago, but Interbrand gave him the credit in "humanizing" the Apple brand and business.
Jobs wanted customers to "feel a certain way" when using an Apple product, visiting an Apple store, or surfing to the Apple Web site, according to Interbrand. He knew that a brand "connects a business with the hearts and minds of consumers."
Apple has continued to thrive despite the absence of Jobs, thanks in part to his "smooth transfer of power" and his planning for the future, Interbrand noted. Some reports say that Jobs left plans for four years' worth of Apple products after his passing.
"The market may move on if Apple's products cease being a differentiator of class, taste, or cool, but that doesn't appear to be happening any time soon," Interbrand added.
Apple has steadily risen up the Interbrand ranks, rising to No. 24 in 2009, No. 17 in 2010, and No. 8 last year.
And what of other tech players on the list? There are quite a few.
IBM took third place behind Apple, with Google No. 4 and Microsoft No. 5. Intel was No. 8, Samsung No. 9, and Cisco No. 14. Other top tech brands included Hewlett-Packard, Oracle, Nokia, Amazon, SAP, eBay, and Sony. Facebook found itself on the list for the first time, coming in at No. 69.