Apple has remained the most valuable global brand for another year, Digital Spy said citing the BrandZ Top 100 list.

The Cupertino firm's brand is now worth $185 billion, forcing Google into second place with a brand value of $114 billion, according to the Millward Brown Optimor study.

Technology and communications companies dominated the top ten, with the likes of IBM, AT&T and Microsoft also making appearances.

Samsung grew its brand value by 51% (compared to average growth of 7% in the Top 100) to $21.4 billion, moving up 25 places to number 30.

Facebook, which came in at number 31 in the Top 100, has a brand value of $21.3 billion, down 36% on last year.