Google beats Microsoft, Coke in brand stakes

Google has knocked Microsoft off the top spot and been named the most powerful global brand of 2007 in a recently published ranking by market researcher Millward Brown Optimor. Factoring in financial performance and consumer sentiment, Google ranked first with a brand value of more than $66 billion, nearly double its value in the 2006 ranking. Microsoft came in third this year with a brand value of $55 billion. It's the second year in a row a tech brand has beaten household names.

Out of the complete top 100 listings, finance is the most dominant sector - it takes about 25% of the list. Technology is the second-most prolific, with one in five brands, and retail is the third-most popular sector. According to Millward Brown Optimor, here are the 10 most powerful global brands of 2007 and their corresponding brand value:

1. Google--$66.4 billion
2. General Electric--$61.9 billion
3. Microsoft--$55 billion
4. Coca-Cola--$44.1 billion
5. China Mobile--$41.2 billion
6. Marlboro--$39.2 billion
7. Wal-Mart--$36.9 billion
8. Citigroup--$33.7 billion
9. IBM--$33.6 billion
10. Toyota Motor--$33.4 billion