Brands have not escaped the effects of the economic downturn. According to the latest BrandFinance Global 500® survery, the value of the world's leading brands is down 27%, However, this figure hides significant differences in the way that brands in different industries have performed. In this article, we exclusively reveal who has made it into the top 50 - including a new name in the number one position. We also explain why brands have not fared as badly as some other types of intangible over the last 12 months. [Source: IAM].