I agree that Google may be the #1 global brand. It has more customers outside of the US than within it and every time someone types in Google.com - and has a positive experience - the brand is reinforced.
I don’t agree at all that General Electric is the #2 global brand. Have you ever heard someone say, “I want one of those General Electric light bulbs?” or how about “Boy, am I happy knowing that my electricity is being powered by a GE turbine!” or “Thankfully this plane is riding on GE jet engines!” GE is a holding company, it isn’t a brand.
I do believe that Disney is a brand of great value as is Apple and Nike. And my sleeper great brand of value? Sundance.
I agree Ted. GE is not a name like google. I would say “Coke” (Coca cola) is probably one of the biggest name brands world wide.
Google is like has become a verb similar to what FedEx has done.
I was at game 5 and it was AWESOME!!! Go CAPS!
GE is definitely a brand in the mind of Americans. But I agree with PJ that GE is a respected brand outside our borders.
Disney used to be an unmatched brand. Not sure I’d agree now. They have diversified so much, they have diluted their core value of fun family entertainment. And many view them as overly commercialized.
I think Starbucks is a GREAT brand. And their new Pike’s Place Roast is a wonderful, engaging campaign.
One of the reasons why I enjoy flying on a Boeing 777 is due to the GE90 engines
. I also enjoy my GE branded appliances. All of my favourite shows are on GE branded TV network 
..
On a serious note, living in Guatemala for a couple of years and touring around Europe, GE is a respected “American” brand (American in quotes since some would consider it a multi-national company). When people think of GE (esp. in third world countries) they think quality. I think you are right, in the US it is more of a holding company.
Go caps!!
Actually Disney as a brand is becoming more of a liability. Lost of new parents like us actualy work hard to not buy Disney products based on their corporate bad behavior. In the subculture of progressive parenting Disney is a brand name you may not want. Notice how they try to hide their Baby Einstein holdings as of late?
Sundance seems so self-promoting versus the other real ‘brands.’ Outsiders and users promote the former (big word-of-mouth) – seems like only insiders and movie participants promote Sundance. Thoughts?