The past year was, like the years immediately preceding it, a good time to build a brand. Strong economic growth around the world and rising income in countries such as India and China provided fertile conditions for many companies to boost the value of their products.

The world’s top 100 brands increased in value by 21 per cent to a total of $1,940bn. They were buoyed not only by strong growth in many countries and industries but by a willingness to invest heavily in the brands that distinguish their products.