Valuation of World's Most Powerful Brands Increases Dramatically in Latest Millward Brown Optimor Analysis

NEW YORK, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The valuation of the world's most powerful brands is increasing more rapidly than the performance of the S&P 500 according to the latest data released by Millward Brown Optimor (www.millwardbrown.com/mboptimor), the global brand strategy and financial consulting practice of Millward Brown.

In its latest analysis, Millward Brown Optimor reveals that its BrandZ™ Strong Brands Portfolio has gained 36.4 percent since April 2009, when the holdings of the BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands were last reported. That compares to an S&P 500 percentage increase of 31.6 percent in the same period. The BrandZ portfolio is now worth 30.1 percent more than the S&P 500 since April 2006. The BrandZ Strong Brands index from April 2006 currently stands at 15.3 percent compared to minus 14.8 percent for the S&P 500.

"The recent Wall Street upswing has benefitted most equities, with both the BrandZ Strong Brands Portfolio and the S&P 500 gaining significantly in recent months as the U.S. heads out of recession," said Joanna Seddon, CEO, Millward Brown Optimor. "However, the brands in our portfolio, which represent the top brands in the world including Google, Microsoft and Coca-Cola have widened their gap in terms of performance from the S&P 500 benchmark. This accentuates the argument that investment in brands and brand management is key to a company's performance stability and superior business return."

Millward Brown Optimor will release its fifth annual BrandZ Top 100 Ranking of the Most Valuable Global Brands in late April 2010.

About Millward Brown Optimor

Millward Brown Optimor (www.millwardbrown.com/mboptimor) is the global brand strategy and financial consulting practice of Millward Brown, part of Kantar, WPP's insight, information and consultancy group. The company is dedicated to helping clients quantify and maximize returns on their brand and marketing investments.

BrandZ is a trademark of Millward Brown. All other trade names are the property of their respective owners.

This release is available online in the Feintuch Communications media room at www.feintuchcommunications.com.

SOURCE Millward Brown Optimor