Apple has been rated the 20th best global brand across a variety of industries, up from the 24th spot a year ago, according to this year's Interbrand report.

Apple’s change in value increased by 12 percent from last year, to a current value of $15.43 million. The report suggests Apple's improved ranking was caused by record high iPod sales that saw the Touch's sales double, and all-time high market share for Mac OS software.

Coca-Cola, IBM, Microsoft, GE, and Nokia all rounded out the top 5. Google, meanwhile, was ranked at #7 while the “BlackBerry” brand took up the 63rd spot on the list.

The annual report evaluates companies from all countries based on various criteria, such as publicly available financial data, positive economic value, and the brand's ability to withhold at least one-third of revenues outside its country-of-origin.

These criteria exclude some brands including Wal-Mart due to the fact that the company does not do business under the same name in all international markets.

Below is the full list of the top 30 global brands of 2009: (View the full list here at Interbrand.)

1. Coca-Cola
2. IBM
3. Microsoft
4. GE
5. Nokia
6. McDonalds
7. Google
8. Toyota
9. Intel
10. Disney
11. Hewlett-Packard
12. Mercedes Benz
13. Gillette
14. Cisco
15. BMW
16. Louis Vutton
17. Marlboro
18. Honda
19. Samsung
20. Apple
21. H&M
22. American Express
23. Pepsi
24. Oracle
25. Nescafe
26. Nike
27. SAP
28. IKEA
29. Sony
30. Budweiser

Ipod Apple Steve jobs Google