Breaking News

What brands can learn from Microsoft's Minecraft purchase

By Marc Curtis, Head of Labs at TMW Agency, Special to CNN

Updated 1439 GMT (2239 HKT) October 28, 2014

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

With its brand value at $118 billion, Apple has been named the world's most valuable brand. The tech giant increased its brand value by 21% year-on-year.
Photos: World's most valuable brands
Most valuable brands: 1. Apple – With its brand value at $118 billion, Apple has been named the world's most valuable brand. The tech giant increased its brand value by 21% year-on-year.
Hide Caption
1 of 20
Google has seen 15% increase in brand value since this time last year and it now comes in at $107 billion.
Photos: World's most valuable brands
2. Google – Google has seen 15% increase in brand value since this time last year and it now comes in at $107 billion.
Hide Caption
2 of 20
Coke ranked third with its brand value at $81 billion, up 3% compared to last year.
Photos: World's most valuable brands
3. Coca-Cola – Coke ranked third with its brand value at $81 billion, up 3% compared to last year.
Hide Caption
3 of 20
IBM managed to stay in fourth place, the same as last year, despite losing 8% of its brand value.
Photos: World's most valuable brands
4. IBM – IBM managed to stay in fourth place, the same as last year, despite losing 8% of its brand value.
Hide Caption
4 of 20
Microsoft also stayed in the same place as last year. Its brand value increased 3% to $61 billion.
Photos: World's most valuable brands
5. Microsoft – Microsoft also stayed in the same place as last year. Its brand value increased 3% to $61 billion.
Hide Caption
5 of 20
General Electric lost 3% of its brand value compared to last year. The brand is now valued at $45 billion.
Photos: World's most valuable brands
6. GE – General Electric lost 3% of its brand value compared to last year. The brand is now valued at $45 billion.
Hide Caption
6 of 20
Samsung Electronics jumped up one spot compared to last year, after it managed to add 15% to its brand value.
Photos: World's most valuable brands
7. Samsung – Samsung Electronics jumped up one spot compared to last year, after it managed to add 15% to its brand value.
Hide Caption
7 of 20
Toyota added 20%, with its brand is now valued at $42 billion.
Photos: World's most valuable brands
8. Toyota – Toyota added 20%, with its brand is now valued at $42 billion.
Hide Caption
8 of 20
McDonald's brand value increased 1% to $42 billion.
Photos: World's most valuable brands
9. McDonald's – McDonald's brand value increased 1% to $42 billion.
Hide Caption
9 of 20
Mercedes-Benz saw an 8% increase in its brand value.
Photos: World's most valuable brands
10. Mercedes-Benz – Mercedes-Benz saw an 8% increase in its brand value.
Hide Caption
10 of 20
BMW jumped 7% to $34 billion.
Photos: World's most valuable brands
11. BMW – BMW jumped 7% to $34 billion.
Hide Caption
11 of 20
Intel dropped from 9th place to 12th, after its brand value declined 8% to $34 billion.
Photos: World's most valuable brands
12. Intel Corp. – Intel dropped from 9th place to 12th, after its brand value declined 8% to $34 billion.
Hide Caption
12 of 20
Disney had a good year, increasing its brand value to $32 billion, a jump of 14% year-on-year.
Photos: World's most valuable brands
13. Disney – Disney had a g