Brands - The most expensive thing you can buy - Interbrand Rankings

So three of my colleagues and I were stranded in the waiting lounge at Heathrow airport on Sunday, waiting for our plane to board. And we were bored. So I showed them my blog and we started talking about the theme. We talked about what the mega rich can buy with all that money and the subject changed to the most expensive stuff in the world. I told them about Updown Court, Lakshmi Mittal’s house and what the prices are on Gulfstreams and Mega Yachts.

Then Charl, our South African colleague raised an interesting point. These tangible luxuries are NOT the most expensive stuff a billionaire can acquire. They are mere fractions in comparison to the most expensive item you can buy: A brand.

The top brands in the world are worth billions. They are merely a design with brand value connected to it: Totally intangible. This made me go and look at the Interbrand ranking list again. I used their rankings in my studies at university and almost forgot what an interesting read it actually is. For that reason, I’m posting the 2006 ranking for you guys. As far as I know, the 2007 rankings have yet to be announced.

Billionaires’ worth are actually in large part comprised of a brand’s worth. Donald Tump’s name is so valuable, that it could sell almost any piece of property. So when they measure his net worth, they factor in what his brand name is worth. This is NOT money in the bank though: He has to sell that brand before he can see it in his bank account.

Interesting, right? These brands can be worth as much as $67 billion. Take Microsoft: And you wonder why Bill Gates is so rich? Take Warren Buffett as an example. He has a stake in Coca-Cola and Budweiser, two of the brands in the top 100. Billionaires get richer, the more people value their brands. Look at Louis Vuitton. Their monogram designs have catapulted them into top 20.

So forget the $200 million mega yacht, the $130 million house and $100 private jet. Or even the $70 million private island. Go and buy a multi-BILLION dollar brand!

The Interband ranking list for 2006. Just see which brand made the top 100.

Rank, Brand $million
1 Coca-Cola 67,000
2 Microsoft 56,926
3 IBM 56,201
4 GE 48,907
5 Intel 32,319
6 Nokia 30,131
7 Toyota 27,941
8 Disney 27,848
9 McDonald’s 27,501
10 Mercedes 21,795
11 Citi 21,458
12 Marlboro 21,350
13 Hewlett-Packard 20,458
14 American Express 19,641
15 BMW 19,617
16 Gillette 19,579
17 Louis Vuitton 17,606
18 Cisco 17,532
19 Honda 17,049
20 Samsung 16,169
21 Merrill Lynch 13,001
22 Pepsi 12,690
23 Nescafé 12,507
24 Google 12,376
25 Dell 12,256
26 Sony 11,695
27 Budweiser 11,662
28 HSBC 11,622
29 Oracle 11,459
30 Ford 11,056
31 Nike 10,897
32 UPS 10,712
33 JPMorgan 10,205
34 SAP 10,007
35 Canon 9,968
36 Morgan Stanley 9,762
37 Goldman Sachs 9,640
38 Pfizer 9,591
39 Apple 9,130
40 Kellogg’s 8,776
41 Ikea 8,763
42 UBS 8,734
43 Novartis 7,880
44 Siemens 7,828
45 Harley-Davidson 7,739
46 Gucci 7,158
47 eBay 6,755
48 Philips 6,730
49 Accenture 6,728
50 MTV 6,627
51 Nintendo 6,559
52 Gap 6,416
53 L’Oreal 6,392
54 Heinz 6,223
55 Yahoo! 6,056
56 Volkswagen 6,032
57 Xerox 5,918
58 Colgate 5,633
59 Wrigley’s 5,449
60 KFC 5,350
61 Chanel 5,156
62 Avon 5,040
63 Nestlé 4,932
64 Kleenex 4,842
65 Amazon.com 4,707
66 Pizza Hut 4,694
67 Danone 4,638
68 Caterpillar 4,580
69 Motorola 4,569
70 Kodak 4,406
71 adidas 4,290
72 Rolex 4,237
73 Zara 4,235
74 Audi 4,165
75 Hyundai 4,078
76 BP 4,010
77 Panasonic 3,977
78 Reuters 3,961
79 Kraft 3,943
80 Porsche 3,927
81 Hermés 3,854
82 Tiffany & Co. 3,819
83 Hennessy 3,576
84 Duracell 3,576
85 ING 3,474
86 Cartier 3,360
87 Moet & Chandon 3,257
88 Johnson & Johnson 3,193
89 Shell 3,173
90 Nissan 3,108
91 Starbucks 3,099
92 Lexus 3,070
93 Smirnoff 3,032
94 LG 3,010
95 Bulgari 2,875
96 Prada 2,874
97 Armani 2,783
98 Burberry 2,783
99 Nivea 2,692
100 Levi’s 2,689

Lakshmi Mittal’s House – The most expensive residential real estate deal ever done.

Earlier we reported about Updown Court, the world’s most expensive house and Donald Trump’s Florida Mansion, the most expensive house in the USA. Although these two mansions have the titles of being the most expensive houses, they still have to be sold. No body has ever paid that much ($139 million and $125 million respectively) for a residential building. Then who was the person that forked over the most amount of money in a residential real estate transaction?

The answer is Lakshmi Mittal, the Indian steel tycoon and the world’s fifth richest billionaire. His London residence at 18-19 Kensington Palace Gardens was bought from Formula One Boss Bernie Ecclestone in 2004 for a staggering $114.89 million (£62.7 million). And for while the house held the Guinness World Record for the world’s most expensive house. The Mittal/ Ecclestone deal still hold the record as the biggest of its kind.

Another interesting fact: Prince Talal Bin Waleed's palace racked up a construction bill of over $200 million when it was build in the late 80’s. But the palace belongs to his country and not to him per se, so his residence cannot be counted as a “private residential house”.

Drive 495 - Golf Fitness in Manhattan

So I love my golf; nothing beats spending a 4 hours on a beautiful green course, trying to beat my personal best. I only resently broke 90 and am trying to break 85. You know what they say: "There is only one thing better that breaking 85... and that is breaking 75!"

But sitting in Manhattan for a couple of months, I gettin' out of shape... golf shape that is. So I mentioned this to the native NY, account exec at the company and he took me to Drive 495.

Drive 495 is a golf fitness gym in the heart of Soho. The club consists of two floors, the bottom you'll find a fully equiped fitness studio with cardio and weight areas and the top loft consits of a golf studio. Here you can exersize the body and sharpen you shot in front of virtual driving ranges.

Appatently you can play a full similated course to sharpen your skills with each club. Play St Andrews, Valderama or Pebble Beach without leaving Manhattan! Skilled personal trainers help sculpt your body for perfect golf fitness. Members include celebs like Michael Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Douglas, Hugh Grant, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Donald Trump. For more info, visit their comprehensive site.

I enjoyed the experience (did not join, but was tempted), but I still enjoy the real thing. I cannot wait to return to NV to play my favourite courses! BUT when in Rome... vitually escape it!

More expensive homes - Donald Trump had to do it

Blog Exclusive:

The most expensive home in the USA

It came as no surprise to me when I heard that the most Expensive Home in the US was owned by Donald Trump. The mogal bought the Florida house as an investment and is selling it of for a price of $125 million. Please watch the video clip of the most expensive house in the USA and judge for yourself if the house is worth that amount. At only $12 million less than Updown court (entry below), you would think that the Trump would have been selling a way more impressive home! But that is purely my opinion. Updown Court has all the extras, but this Florida Home has the view and has the benefit of having the three most important Real Estate value factors: 1) Location; 2) Location and 3) Location.

The Four most expensive homes in the USA

I found this gem, while the copywriters were researching Updown Court. It highlights the four most expensive homes in the USA. All three looks quite impressive, but it's the Portebello Estate in Southern California's Carona Del Mar the excites me. At $75 million, it is the third most expensive home in the US. To me it offers just so much more than any of the other three houses in this clip.

Australia's Best Cribs

The video might not be as professionally done as the previous two, but that takes nothing away from the splendour of the Fabulous Canal Homes Mooloolaba Australia. Just have a look at the clip below!

Look like a star, feel like a star

Fashion shows, after parties, 5 star clubs and restaurants… When you’re living the life of luxury and glamour, you need to look the part. Which is why we bring you a look at what’s hot and what’s not when it comes to getting all dressed up this year. To feel like a star, you need to spend money on looking like one. And with Golden Riviera Group casinos, all it takes is that one, big jackpot and you could be stepping out in style in no time… all you need to do is play!

Clothes

First impressions last, and when you’re a star its all about how you dress. For $2,000 you can slip into something sleek by Hervé Léger, as worn by Sharon Stone. Or for a more luxurious feel, pick up a $3,000 Oscar de la Renta favored by Penelope Cruz. For gentlemen, nothing says power and style as succinctly as a sharply tailored Brioni suit, valued at $7,500 and worn by high rollers such as Donald Trump.

Hair

When celebs like Meg Ryan and Michelle Pfeiffer need a $600 trim, they visit Sally Hershberger in NYC. Or, for $800, you can rub shoulders with supermodels such as Giselle, Kate Moss or Naomi Campbell at ultra-exclusive Orlo. For gents, a mere $300 will enlist the services of one of the hottest men’s hair stylists – Brent Barber – at the Brooks & Brooks London salon frequented by David Beckham.

Beauty and frangrance

Looking good also has to do with how well you look after yourself. Madonna, Liv Tyler and Susan Sarandon go for Tracy Martin beauty and face creams – at over $400 per ounce, they’re more expensive than caviar. Limited edition colognes for men are the way forward, such as Feuille Verte by Olivier Creed for $375.

Accessories

From $1,850 and up Jimmy Choo handbags are a favorite of Nicole Richie, Halle Berry, and Charlize Theron, whilst Manolo Blahnik alligator boots at $11,000 are the must-have item of the year. Sunglasses are very popular, with importance on luxury brands and designer names – this year, Fendi for men and Gucci for women valued at $350 each.

Personal stylist

Of course, if you’ve got the money you can hire your own personal stylist. For $10,000 a day Rachel Zoe helps stars like Kiera Knightly, Lindsay Lohan and Mischa Barton stay in fashion, whilst Cher Coulter makes sure Orlando Bloom maintains his stylish look.