Brand valuation and strategy consultancy Brand Finance has released its annual review of the state of tech brands, ranking Apple number one with a $145 billion brand value, up 14 percent from the prior year. Apple revenue for the last three months of 2015 was a record-breaking $75.3 billion. Though there has been much disappointment about slowing growth, this must be seen in the context of an exceptional period at the end of 2014 following the release of the iPhone 6, according to Brand Finance which concluded that “to not just maintain but increase sales in a saturated market is encouraging and assertions that Apple has gone rotten are premature.”
Finishing second–and some $50 billion-plus behind Apple–was Google with a brand value of nearly $95.2 billion, followed by Samsung at $71.2 billion, Amazon.com with $69.6 billion and Microsoft at some $67.2 billion.
Of Samsung, Brand Finance noted that the company was buoyed by the positive reception of the Galaxy S6, and that critics raved about the significantly improved design, which also put the Galaxy S6 on the radar of voguish iPhone users. The recently unveiled Galaxy S7 looks to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor but adds features such as water resistance, extended battery life and the sorely missed expandable storage option. Brand Finance also reported that revenues have also improved this year, most of them coming from Samsung’s semiconductor business which produces chips for most smartphone manufacturers, including, ironically, their fiercest rival, Apple.
Rounding out the Brand Finance top 10 were: GE in the number six slot at some $37.2 billion; Facebook ranked seventh at $34 billion; IBM in eighth place at $31.7 billion; Intel in ninth at $22.8 billion; and Oracle in the number 10 slot at $22.1 billion.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More