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Millward Brown was rebranded to Kantar (Apr 2019)— see Kantar for current status.
Brief
M

Millward Brown

Millward Brown helped the world's largest brands measure, build, and protect brand equity through proprietary research methodologies and the world's largest brand valuation database.

London, England, United KingdomFounded 1973Parent: Kantar

Last updated Jun 8, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment · Connections updated Jun 8, 2026

Industry
Market Research & Brand Analytics
Business Model
Research & Consultancy
Target Market
Enterprise
Employee Count
5001-10000
Revenue Range
$500M–$1B (estimated at peak, as part of Kantar/WPP)
Parent Company
Kantar
API Available
Limited
Market Position

Was a global leader in brand equity measurement and advertising effectiveness research, operating across 55+ countries before being absorbed into Kantar.

Overview

Millward Brown was one of the world's foremost market research and brand consultancy firms, renowned for its expertise in advertising effectiveness, brand equity measurement, and consumer insight. Founded in 1973 in the United Kingdom, the company built a global reputation through proprietary methodologies such as BrandZ — the world's largest brand equity database — and Link, its advertising pre-testing system. These tools helped some of the world's largest advertisers understand how their brands were perceived and how their advertising investments were performing across markets. The company was acquired by WPP in 1989 and became a cornerstone of the Kantar group, WPP's data, insight, and consultancy division. In 2018, Millward Brown was officially rebranded as Kantar Millward Brown, and subsequently the Millward Brown name was phased out entirely as Kantar consolidated its portfolio of research brands under a unified 'Kantar' identity. The BrandZ brand valuation rankings, one of Millward Brown's most celebrated outputs, continued under the Kantar brand and remained a widely cited annual benchmark in the marketing industry. At its peak, Millward Brown operated in over 55 countries and served hundreds of the world's leading advertisers, media owners, and agencies. Its work spanned brand strategy, media effectiveness, digital analytics, and neuroscience-based research. The company's legacy lives on within Kantar's Brand Guidance and Creative Excellence divisions, which carry forward the methodologies and talent that made Millward Brown a defining force in marketing science and advertising research.

Products & Features

BrandZ

The world's largest brand equity database and annual brand valuation ranking, measuring brand value across categories and markets globally.

Link

A leading advertising pre-testing and in-market evaluation system used to predict and optimize the effectiveness of advertising creative.

CrossMedia

A media effectiveness measurement tool that assessed the contribution of each media channel to overall campaign performance.

NeedScope

A brand positioning framework grounded in consumer psychology, used to identify emotional needs and align brand strategy accordingly.

Vantage

A brand tracking and monitoring platform providing continuous insight into brand health metrics over time.

Neuroscience Research

Applied neuroscience methodologies including biometrics and implicit association testing to understand subconscious consumer responses to advertising.

Key Features
BrandZ global brand equity and valuation databaseAdvertising pre-testing via the Link methodologyCross-media campaign effectiveness measurementBrand tracking and continuous health monitoringNeuroscience and implicit consumer researchGlobal reach across 55+ countriesProprietary brand positioning frameworks
Use Cases
Measuring and tracking brand equity over timePre-testing advertising creative before campaign launchEvaluating cross-channel media effectivenessInforming brand positioning and portfolio strategyBenchmarking brand value against competitors via BrandZ rankingsUnderstanding emotional and subconscious consumer responses to marketing
Customer Segments
Global FMCG and CPG brandsFinancial services companiesAutomotive manufacturersTechnology and telecoms companiesMedia owners and broadcastersAdvertising agencies and holding groupsLuxury and retail brands
Corporate history
  • 1973Founded
  • 2019Rebranded to Kantar
Connections

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