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SONY cemented their reputation as Asia’s No. 1 company brand in the recently announced Asia Pacific Brand Channel Reader’s Choice Award 2006. SONY takes top spot for the 4th year in a row, and they have also won it 5 times in the last 6 years. The only brand that previously outclassed SONY was LG, which was way back in 2001.

Malaysia homegrown airline operator, Air Asia came 6th, overshadowing 40++ year old airlines, Singapore Airlines. Air Asia has just passed its 5th year of operation. In the recent interview with the press, Tony Fernandes told that Air Asia is now bigger than Singapore Airlines, even though it is only 5 years old. I am not sure if he takes account Singapore Airlines’ 49% stake in Virgin Airlines in making the statement. However, reputation-wise, looks like Air Asia is better now. Malaysia national carrier, Malaysia Airlines ranks 52nd.

By the way, in the recent TV program, Captains that was aired again on NTV7, Tony admitted he is not a fan of Manchester United FC. In fact, he hates them. Go Tony!

You would probably be surprised to see Proton taking the 11th spot (Proton engineers, time to re-think that offer from Perodua?), outperforming Perodua at 53. Other Malaysian companies that make entry in the list include Jobstreet.com (29) and Petronas (56). Jobstreet.com is most likely the only company in the job industry which made it to the list. JobsDb, claimed as the largest job portal in Asia Pacific, is not anywhere in the list.

Here is the top 10 list of the Asia Pacific Category Award.

1. SONY

From the Sony Walkman era, to Sony VIAO, to Sony Play Station, digital cameras and many other consumer products, Sony’s inventions and products continues to impress the world, even though recently plagued by the issue of its withdrawal of Sony batteries. It was Sony who made me spent as much as 15 hours per day during my college heir day playing the Play Station’s Winning Eleven soccer game. Their release of Play Station 3 recently created bigger frenzy than ever.

2. Toyota

Another Japanese giant, Toyota manufactures a range of best in class automobiles under some distinguished brands. Its first half of 2007 revenue makes Toyota the largest automaker in the world, overtaking General Motors. The Toyota Motor Corporation currently owns and operates Toyota, Lexus, Scion and holds shares in Daihatsu and a few other automobile companies.

3. HSBC

It is not the largest banking in the world, but certainly one of the financial institution’s big daddies. It was used to rank as the world’s 3rd largest company by Forbes 2000. To those who are still thinking what HSBC stands for, it is an acronym of Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, and was founded in Hong Kong to finance British trade in the 19th century.
4. Samsung

Samsung started in 1950s as just another trading company. Now, in Samsung Electronics, Samsung Group has the world’s largest electronic company. Considered as the Korean’s golden kid, Samsung also ventured into shipbuilding and construction. Samsung also used to compete head to head with Nokia to overtake the latter as the world’s number 1 mobile phone maker.

5. Honda

Yet again a Japanese corporation, Honda was founded by Soichiro Honda out of a bicycle repair business. Toyota was believed to be one of Honda’s first customers. His very first facility was almost completely destroyed during the World War II. Soichiro used to quote that what people see in the company now is “1% success and 99% failure”. Honda manufactures automobiles and motorcycles, as well as many other electronic parts.

6. Air Asia

Considered the Richard Branson of Malaysia, Tony Fernandes does possess a lot of similarities with Branson, as far as the industries are concerned. Both came from the music industry, and later went to operate commercial airlines. The only distinguished difference is perhaps on the education background; Branson is a school drop out while Fernandes completed his studies with flying colors.

Few would know that Fernandes used to work with Virgin Music and it was Branson who interviewed and accepted Fernandes to work as financial auditor with Virgin. In the latest development, they are now working together after Branson agreed to buy a stake in Air Asia X, the long distance Air Asia operation.

7. Globe Telecom

Globe is a Philippine corporation and has undergone many stages of restructuring before becoming what it is today. The initial establishment of Globe Telecom in the late 90s involved the franchise agreement with and American company that allowed Globe to render long distance wireless message services to the Philippines. Part of its stake also belongs to Singapore Telecom (ST). Its current core is in the wireless, broadband, mobile services and cable news.

8. LG Electronics

LG Electronics hailed from the South Korea and has seen quite a tremendous growth in the recent years, thanks to their inventions especially in the mobile phone industry. It belongs to LG Group and is currently operating in over 80 countries worldwide. LG also formed a formidable partnership with Philips to become one of the world’s biggest plasma panel manufacturer.

9. Lonely Planet

Like you, I am also asking the same question: What is this Lonely Planet? According to Wiki, Lonely Planet or LP claims to be the biggest independently owned travel guidebook publisher in the world. Lonely Planet was founded by a former engineer with Chrysler by the name of Tony Wheeler, who had just completed a journey across Asia and then published their very first book.

10. Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines was 6th last year but saw its place dropped to 10 (ironically it is Air Asia that took over its place). It is still a reputable commercial airlines with many accolades and awards to its belt after its inception in 1937. Its very first name was Malayan Airways Limited (MAL) and during this time Singapore is still part of Federation of Malaya until the separation in 1966. As a matter of fact, Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines are spin offs from a terminated partnership between Malaysia and Singapore.

Is your company in the list? If not maybe it is time to polish up your resume.

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