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Google Replaces Microsoft as No 1

Techtree News Staff, Apr 25, 2007 1503 hrs IST

Google has succeeded in toppling Microsoft from its high horse as the world's top-ranked brand, shows a study by market research firm, Millward Brown...

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Google has succeeded in toppling Microsoft from its high horse as the world's top-ranked brand, shows a study by market research firm, Millward Brown, published in the Financial Times, Reuters reports.

As the 'new numero uno,' Google has not only knocked the socks off Microsoft (number 3), but managed to race past well established brands, including General Electric (number 2), Coca Cola Company (number 4), Wal-Mart Stores (number 7), and IBM (number 9).

The rankings are based on publicly available financial data, along with primary research that includes interviews of around a million consumers worldwide, Millward Brown said.

The research firm said some of the key factors in building brand recognition this year ranged from corporate responsibility to serving customers in emerging markets like India and Brazil.

That Google had come in at number 7 just a year ago, speaks volumes for how quickly the Web search leader has come into its own. While the company uses relatively less advertising, it depends more on word-of-mouth endorsements.

Meanwhile, Microsoft's tumbling status from number 1 to number 3 comes even as the company steps up efforts to accelerate adoption of its Gen-Next operating system, Windows Vista.

Commenting on the findings, particularly with respect to the Google vs Microsoft scenario, Eileen Campbell, Global Chief Executive of Millward Brown, said the rankings show a blend of good business leadership, responsible financial management, and powerful marketing, which can be leveraged to create and grow corporate wealth.

The study found other movers and shakers as: a non US-based company, China Mobile at number 5; Apple Computer, which rose 13 spots to grab number 16; and Starbucks Corporation, which also rose 13 spots to reach number 35.

The not so lucky ones, whose rankings dipped remain: Intel Corporation, Home Depot, and Dell Incorporated.

USER COMMENTS

At some point it seems likely Google will surpass Microsoft in total revenue. It could take several more years though. Microsoft still has billions more in liquid assets set aside. Google is gaining however not all of the rapid gains are in luquid or cash on hand assets. Maybe by 2015 Google moves to the top of the heap in terms of cold hard cash at the ready.

by Jack Roberts, Detroit, MI USA, on Nov 27, 2007 03:01 AM, Report abuse Reply

I work in an organization where the use of IT is still at a nascent stage (at least as compared to the rest of the country!). Even here, 'google' is a verb - as in " if you can't find an answer, just "google" it. Well done Gooogle, keep it up.

by Sumonto, Jammu, on Apr 29, 2007 11:22 AM, Report abuse Reply

YES!! Google must venture an operating system based on open platform.

by Bipin Desai, Navsari, on Apr 28, 2007 06:54 AM, Report abuse Reply

is Google working on open source products to kill the proprietry Market

by jaya, Hyderabad, on Apr 26, 2007 02:49 PM, Report abuse Reply

When will Google come out with Operating System?

by Vinay Khatri, Pune, on Apr 25, 2007 04:41 PM, Report abuse Reply

They already have eyes on Haiku (derived from BeOs). And seems that Haiku can be Google's OS.

by vinay, mumbai, on Apr 26, 2007 11:16 AM, Report abuse

In the earlier days people used to hanker after the Genie. They felt if they had a Genie, all their questions would be answered and their life would be blissful. Well times have changed but the hunger for readily available information has not changed. Enter GOOGLE. Now everyone who owns a PC (or has access to one) and knows how to use the search engine Google (genie google) has the whole world at their fingertips. No wonder it is so popular. It brings the world to your finger tips and consequently is rewarded by being No.1. They deserve every bit of it. After all they have the hidden blessings of millions of users all over the globe. Keep up the good work GOOGLE, you are beautiful !

by Hormazd, Mumbai, on Apr 26, 2007 09:44 AM, Report abuse Reply

WOW, even windows vista's launch and the heavy marketing done by Microsoft has not helped the company to retain its rank. This is the best example I have seen, of gaining the top postion without much of a marketing. I hope it is mostly because of the search engine, Orkut, Adsense-Adwords etc.

by Amol Sarode, Nagpur, on Apr 25, 2007 04:19 PM, Report abuse Reply