Chicago's top brands.(Focus: Marketing)

Crain's Chicago Business, January, 2007

Byline: Compiled by Matthew Carmichael Source: BusinessWeek/Interbrand Best Global Brands 2006 Every year, Interbrand Corp., a global marketing firm, ranks the 100 most powerful brands in the world. So how did Chicago companies stack up? Here are the five that made the list, with commentary from Interbrand Chief Strategy Officer Gary Singer on how the companies' branding improved or faltered in 2006: #9 McDonAld's Brand value: $27.5 million* Change from 2005: +6% "McDonald's is doing a better job of addressing changing consumer needs with its new premium salads, sandwiches, snacks and premium coffees and giving them better value with the $1 value meals.'' #59 Wrigley Brand value: $5.4 million Change: -2% "The gum category is stagnant.

And...