These Major Brands Saw Increases During Covid-19

Though the ripple effect of the pandemic's social, economic and personal impacts has been calamitous for businesses both small and large, some brands have demonstrated immunity in the face of the health crisis. According to the 15th edition of the BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands rankings report released today, investing in marketing, brand building and innovation was key to revenue growth and recovery during Covid-19. Commissioned by WPP and conducted by brand equity research expert Kantar, the report indicates that the net worth of BrandZ's Top 100 increased by 5.9% in 2020, hitting $5 trillion and delivering $227 billion in additional brand value growth. Per the report, prior to the global pandemic, the total value of the Top 100 brands had been set to increase by 9%. [kickout id="1"] “The continued growth in value of the BrandZ Top 100 shows that strong brands are in a much better place than they were in the global economic crisis of 2008-9," said David Roth, CEO of The Store WPP EMEA and Asia and chairman of BrandZ, in a statement. "We see a significant improvement in brand equity now compared to 10 years ago because businesses understand the importance of investing in brand building and are stronger and more resilient as a result." The Top 10 companies are as follows: Amazon Apple Microsoft Google Visa Alibaba Tencent Facebook McDonald's Mastercard Amazon maintained its title as the world's most valuable brand, growing by 32% and almost $100 billion this year compared to 2019. Amazon accounts for a third of the Top 100's total growth in 2020. Apple also maintained its No. 2 spot, growing 14%, and Microsoft regained its third place standing, growing 30% compared to 2019. Per the report, Microsoft may have made the jump ahead of Google due to the growth of its cloud-enabled workplace ecosystem that has allowed people to conduct "business as usual" during lockdowns and quarantine. Mastercard entered the Top 10 for the first time in 2020. Brand rankings were established by combining analyzed market data from Bloomberg and consumer insights, and by using valuations data incorporating stock price performance from April 2020 to reflect the impact of Covid-19. Technology brands represented about 37% of brand value in the Top 100. “Innovation has proven to be a key driver for growth in this year’s Top 100 and a way to prevent decline," said Doreen Wang, global head of BrandZ at Kantar, in a statement. "Creativity is also an important trait for the world’s most valuable brands. Companies like Amazon, Apple and Google—the tech giants that keep on innovating—successfully combine both to continue being relevant to consumers’ lives and making it easier for them to choose a brand.” This creativity was evidenced in brands beyond the Top 10. For example, short user-generated video platform and trendy newcomer TikTok was a new entry in the Brandz Top 100. Even valuable brands not in the tech sector, such as athleisure brand Lululemon, demonstrated agility to remain relevant and engaging for its consumers. Growing by 40%, Lululemon was one of the fastest risers in the list because it shifted its focus from exercise wear to work-appropriate (but yoga-inspired) clothing, as well as offering online yoga classes for people at home.

Brand Purpose

Top Global Brands Showed Resilience and Saw Increases Through Pandemic

The 100 most valuable companies proved they could persevere

Mónica Marie Zorrilla

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

Mónica Marie Zorrilla