<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"Apple has replaced Google as the world&amp;#039;s most valuable brand, boasting an estimated value of more than $153bn (\u00A393bn), according to a new survey.  For the last four years, search engine giant Google has topped the BrandZ Top100 ranking of the most valuable global corporate brands, compiled by the WPP-owned Millward Brown. However, the latest ranking sees Apple surge from third place in 2009 to head the list, following a massive 84% increase in its estimated brand value.  Apple&amp;#039;s brand value has grown by $137bn since 2006, and the company now has a market capitalisation of $319.4bn, compared to Google&amp;#039;s $172.4bn. Millward Brown judged that Apple&amp;#039;s brand valuation has also not been affected by recent medical leave by inspirational chief executive Steve Jobs and a controversy involving tracking software on iPhone handsets. Peter Walshe, global BrandZ director at Millward Brown, said that highly desirable products such as the iPhone and iPad are driving Apple&amp;#039;s growing brand value.  &amp;quot;The anecdotal evidence is that if employees are given the choice of two similar jobs they opt for the one with better technology for its employees - for example an iPad,&amp;quot; he said.  Social networking giant Facebook made it on to the latest BrandZ ranking for the first time, coming in at 35th place with an estimated brand value of $19bn.  Walsh said that Facebook has had a &amp;quot;staggering year&amp;quot;, but cautioned that &amp;quot;time will tell if the financial part of the estimate is stable or not&amp;quot;. In the UK, the most valuable brand was once again mobile phone operator Vodafone, which ranked 12th on the global list with a value of $43bn. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/news/a318472/apple-pips-google-as-worlds-top-brand/>