Google's Crown Slips as Microsoft Named the UK's No.1 Business Superbrand

LONDON, February 24, 2010 - Microsoft has knocked Google off the top spot in the eighth
annual Top 500 Business Superbrands survey, launched today. Google, which
ranked first in 2008 and 2009, slips down to 5th place, whilst Microsoft
enjoys the number 1 slot having been 2nd in 2007 and 2008, and 5th in 2009.

The annual survey is compiled by The Centre for Brand Analysis
(TCBA), on behalf of the Superbrands organisation, and examines the views of
a panel of Experts and over 1,700 UK business professionals.

New entries into the top 10 are: BlackBerry, rising from last
year's 42nd; Visa (2009: 14th) and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (2009: 17th). The
top 10 also welcomes back British Airways (BA), which bounced back into 8th
place from its worst position last year (36th) but putting a dampener on BA's
improvement is Virgin Atlantic, which is new into the top 10 in 4th position.

Stephen Cheliotis, CEO, TCBA said: "Once again Microsoft and
Google have proved their potency by fighting it out for the top spots, whilst
many other brands have reaffirmed their consistent performance year on year.
The financial services sector however has seen mixed results with the
investment banks particularly losing ground over the year, whilst The
Co-operative Bank and its ethically focused strategy and co-operative
structure powers forward climbing 91 places".

         2010 Top 10       Rank      2009 Top 10

    MICROSOFT               1   GOOGLE
    ROLLS-ROYCE GROUP       2   ROLLS-ROYCE GROUP
    BLACKBERRY              3   SONY
    VIRGIN ATLANTIC         4   MICROSOFT
    GOOGLE                  5   NOKIA
    LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE   6   GLAXOSMITHKLINE
    GLAXOSMITHKLINE         7   LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE
    BRITISH AIRWAYS         8   MICHELIN
    VISA                    9   BP
    PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS  10  BUPA

The list of the top 10 biggest fallers features four banks,
including UBS and Morgan Stanley, whilst the Royal Bank of Scotland has
crashed out of the top 500 altogether and lost its Business Superbrands
status for the first time.

Proving that a re-brand can have a positive affect Aviva, the
re-branded Norwich Union, is the second highest riser in the top 500 climbing
from 315th to 144th. The biggest year-on-year riser is Premier Inn, which has
jumped a significant 197 places to sit at 240th. Other fast risers include
DHL, BDO the accountancy firm, and trade media title, Management Today.

    More information, full press-release: Amanda Harrison +44(0)1296-660-294
    Interviews: stephen.cheliotis@tcba.co.uk
    +44(0)20-7079-3317/ +44(0)7773-396-784

More information, full press-release: Amanda Harrison +44(0)1296-660-294; Interviews: stephen.cheliotis at tcba.co.uk, +44(0)20-7079-3317/ +44(0)7773-396-784