Advanced findings from the BrandFinance Global 500 (http://www.brandfinance.com), due to be launched on March 19, show that Apple has leapfrogged Google to be named the world's most valuable brand. The Californian tech giant enjoys the highest ever valuation by Brand Finance plc (US$70.6 billion) almost one third greater than its closest rival Google (currently valued at $47.5 billion).  

Apple rose a staggering seven places from eighth in the 2011 table after a year which has seen the Californian tech giant assert its position as the preeminent consumer tech brand with the launch of the iPad 2, iPhone 4s, Mountain Lion operating system and the eagerly anticipated launch of the iPad 3.  The announcement comes as Apple announces its 25th billion mobile download dwarfing its competitors in this evolving market.

Commenting on this year's report from the Brand Finance New York office, David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance Inc, said: "The meteoric rise we have witnessed over the last 12 months is nothing short of staggering. Apple is the classic American corporation that was once the alternative quirky brand for designers and creatives. Now their products are accepted by major corporations and are used by the mainstream corporate industry."

The BrandFinance Global 500 report is published annually and incorporates data from all listed companies globally. Each brand is accorded a brand rating: a benchmarking study of the strength, risk and future potential of a brand relative to its competitor set as well as a brand value: a summary measure of the financial strength of the brand.