10 Most Powerful Global Brands of 2012

5. Microsoft

Microsoft has a brand value of $57,853 million. This company is known as one of the world’s most recognized companies which refreshed its corporate identity in August. The report states that Microsoft pushed into the hardware market with its own Surface tablets and into the competitive fray, a move which will most likely define the brand’s future. Its products include operating systems for personal computers (PCs), servers, phones, and other intelligent devices; server applications for distributed computing environments; productivity applications; business solution applications; desktop and server management tools; software development tools; video games, and online advertising.

6. GE

GE has a brand value of $43,682 million. The report states that as the market swooned over social networks, the mobile media revolution, and the all-knowing cloud, GE pulled the ultimate trump card. GE’s focus has been squarely on asserting its global leadership role. Its segments include Energy Infrastructure, Technology Infrastructure, NBC Universal, GE Capital and Home & Business Solutions. Effective January 1, 2011, it reorganized Technology Infrastructure segment into three segments: Aviation, Healthcare and Transportation.