Top 500 UK Superbrands 2009

LONDON -

LONDON, July 15 /PRNewswire/ –

- Credit Crunch Sees Nation Crave Fast Food

- Krisy Kreme Highest New Entry at #68

The 12th annual Top 500 Superbrands survey, which identifies the UK’s strongest consumer brands by polling the British public, is revealed today.

In the top 10, Microsoft(R) regains its number one position, which it lost last year to internet giant, Google. Google itself slips two places to third, whilst four other brands keep their top 10 placing. These include the embattled BBC and British Airways, as well as Mercedes-Benz. New entries to the top 10 in 2009/10 include LEGO(R) and Cola-Cola, both re-entering after a one year absence. Rolex and Apple also join the top ten alongside this year’s surprise entry Encyclopaedia Britannica, which was 29th last year.

Some of the brands showing the strongest year-on-year improvement in the survey include McDonald’s, which rises 227 places, Burger King, up 189, KFC rising by 164 places and Domino’s Pizza, which moves up the table by 144 places. The highest new entry into this year’s list was Krispy Kreme, further indicating the nation’s demand for relatively low cost treats as the downturn bites.

Stephen Cheliotis, Chief Executive of The Centre for Brand Analysis, which administered the research on behalf of Superbrands UK, said: “This year’s survey reaffirms some of the downturn’s winners and losers, with the fast food chains and supermarkets doing particularly well. The results, as always, return some surprises with this year’s notable high achiever being Encyclopaedia Britannica. Bearing in mind that thousands of brands are initially considered, actually making the top 500 itself is an achievement: the competition amongst brands for consumer attention and share of wallet is intense and growing fiercer.”

Official Superbrands Rankings

Rank 2009/10 2008/09 1 Microsoft Google 2 Rolex Microsoft 3 Google Mercedes-Benz 4 British Airways BBC 5 BBC British Airways 6 Mercedes-Benz Royal Doulton 7 Coca-Cola BMW 8 Lego Bosch 9 Apple Nike 10 Encyclopaedia Britannica Sony

For the full TOP 500 LIST (www.superbrands.uk.com/about/selectionProcess.php) (available online Wed 15th or via email Tues 14th) please contact:

PR Amanda Harrison +44(0)1296-660-294 / +44(0)795-820-0220 / ah@amandaharrisonmedia.co.uk

Heidi Smith, Superbrands (UK) Ltd +44(0)20-7079-3314 / heidi.smith@superbrands.uk.com

Source: The Centre for Brand Analysis

For the full TOP 500 LIST (available online Wed 15th or via email Tues 14th) please contact: PR Amanda Harrison +44(0)1296-660-294 / +44(0)795-820-0220 / ah at amandaharrisonmedia.co.uk; Heidi Smith, Superbrands (UK) Ltd +44(0)20-7079-3314 /
heidi.smith at superbrands.uk.com