The Apple and iPod brand names have been named as the most influential in the world by a recent survey of advertising professionals.

The annual poll, conducted by online magazine Brandchannel, questions the impact of a particular product on people’s lives without taking any financial particulars into consideration.

And this year’s survey saw the soaring Apple computer manufacturer leapfrog Google as the most widely felt brand.

“It’s hard to imagine a brand having a shinier year than Apple,” a Brandchannel statement said.

“Notably punctuated with iMacs, iPodsand iTunes, Apple’s 2004 presence was felt in the press, in ads and on the streets, with iPod coming to define the word ‘ubiquitous’.”

Brandchannel Editor Robin Rusch added: “Apple’s just done an extraordinary job with innovation, technology and design. The iPod is what has put Apple in the lead this year.”

Ikea, Starbucks and Al Jazeera, the Arab news channel, completed the top five list.