Today, Fortune revealed its 31st annual list of the World’s Most Admired Companies.
On this year’s list, Fortune Executive Editor Stephanie Mehta writes: “Atop our annual ranking: innovators, disrupters, and companies that overcome adversity… The most successful companies have a way of restoring their reputations after a disastrous experience—in fact, the way they deal with problems can actually enhance a company’s standing. (Admired Company stalwarts Coke, Nike, Johnson & Johnson, and Toyota all bounced back from corporate crises.) Perhaps not surprisingly, many top companies view social media as a friend, not a foe, in their reputation efforts. Hay Group, Fortune’s partner in producing the World’s Most Admired Companies rankings, found that 50% of more than 800 surveyed executives think technology and social tools have strengthened the control they have over their corporations’ reputations. That fluency with social media may also help explain why Facebook, the youngest All-Star, jumps 10 spots this year to No. 38.”
Erika Fry writes of #1 Apple Inc: The iconic tech company known for the iPhone and other stylish and user-friendly products is back in the top spot on this year’s list, for the seventh year in a row. Apple, the most valuable brand on the planet according to Interbrand, brought in $171 billion in revenues in FY2013 and is flush with cash, but fan boys and girls (not to mention the market) are getting antsy to see its next big product. Bets are on a smartwatch or AppleTV [sic], but the company is also reportedly turning its attention to cars and medical devices.
Fortune’s Top 10 Most Admired Companies 2014:
1. Apple
2. Amazon.com
3. Google
4. Berkshire Hathaway
5. Starbucks
6. Coca-Cola
7. Walt Disney
8. FedEx
9. Southwest Airlines
10. General Electric
See the 2014 World’s Most Admired Companies here.