How big an asset is being an established tech brand? Apparently, in a sector where "the role of brand is falling," according to Interbrand, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in great shape.

Dell, one of many brands suffering a drop in value over last year, is 35 on Interbrand's Best Global Brands 2009 rankings, but dropped 12% in Brand Value, and is no longer the go-to personal computing company. (That would now be HP.) The annual report blames Dell’s "failure to fully adopt netbooks as a flagship product in timely manner."

But Interbrand also points to "Dell’s track record of successful branding and efforts to cater more directly to needs of customers," praise vindicated by Dell's announcement yesterday of its acquisition of Perot Systems, an IT services provider with deep roots in electronic health records, a potential beneficiary of healthcare reform.Continue reading...

Lloyds Banking System seeks buyers for £2.8 billion of new securities-backed prime mortgages. [Times of London]

GAO declares AIG stable, but survival depends on market conditions and further government support. [NY Times]

Dell purchases Perot Systems for $3.9 billion, intended to bolster the hardware manufacturer's services arm. [Times of London]

After Sunday media blitz, Obama goes on Letterman show to reinforce message. [WSJ]

Cadbury acknowledges that Kraft deal would "make some sense," encourages a better offer. [Times of London]

Facebook, Nielsen introduce BrandLift to poll users about ads on the social network. [CNET]

(More headlines: Hyundai, B of A, Facebook, Crocs, Reader's Digest)Continue reading...