The strength of a company's brand is integral to marketing success. Obviously.
Here are some notable companies who were honored in the Top 100 Brands of 2008:
1. Coca-Cola
Olympic sponsorship boosted its profile in Asia, where sales are surging.
4. GE
A GE that doesn’t make lightbulbs or dishwashers? GE has announced intentions to spin off the brand’s iconic units as it focuses on global infrastructure.
9. Disney
Disney’s marketing machine turned High School Musical into a tween girl blockbuster. It’s hoping the new Disney XD cable channel will bring in the boys.
15. American Express
Despite rising U.S. delinquencies, AmEx continues to woo elite customers. It ranked first in total purchase volume and cash advances to U.S. cardholders.
24. Apple
Its products are hotter than ever, in part because of price cuts and clever advertising.
36. Canon
The copier and camera brand continues to sell well despite recession worries. It’s spending heavily to advertise its range of video and digital cameras.
39. Kellogg's
Thanks to a double-digit hike in ad spending, the cereal maker has done the remarkable: raised prices despite a consumer slowdown, widening its margins.
71. Rolex
Business is booming in Asia and the Mideast as the luxury watchmaker enjoys strong demand.
85. Starbucks
Still strong abroad, Starbucks hopes new coffee machines, nutritious smoothies, and the shuttering of 600 unprofitable stores will help in the U.S.
89. Smirnoff
Worldwide sales have stayed strong. In the U.S., Smirnoff is tying its brand to all things hip hop.