• July 28, 2011

Tech brands Google, Apple and Microsoft generated the most media value in the second quarter thanks to big buzz, big deals and big announcments, according to General Sentiment.

According to the company's Q2 Top Global Brands Report (which analyses which brands have the most significant online impact in the second-quarter), Google edged out Apple for the top spot, generating $973 million in media value. Working in Google's favor: positive earnings buzz and its Google+ social network. Apple, which unveiled its soon-to-be available iCloud storage offering, generated $894 million in media value. Microsoft, which announced its acquisition of Skype in May, held third with $690 million in media value, according to the company.

Mercedes-Benz and Ford Motor Co. were fourth and fifth in the rankings, while other companies in the top 10 were: Yahoo!, Sony, Intel, Canon and Panasonic.

"This quarter's report is an exciting one - with Google reclaiming the top slot and new non-tech companies sliding into the top five," said General Sentiment CEO Greg Artzt. "The tech sector continues to drive the top ten brands as consumers tend to follow these companies closely and discuss new technology products heavily in social media sources," said Artzt in a statement.