24/7 Wall Street, an online news and opinion operation, has published its annual list of brands that will disappear by the end of this year. The list is based on a review of each company’s financial situation, operating data, current and ongoing value of its brand, and whether the company that controls that brand can sell its assets.

All eyes are on South Africa for the 2010 World Cup. The opportunities for brand visibility are endless for its sponsors, and many companies have benefitted from the heavy international exposure. According to online intelligence service Experian Hitwise, South African Airways’ World Cup Brands Index score has jumped from 109 to 205, and its internet search queries have more than doubled, making it the brand that has benefitted the most from its official sponsorship of the game according to Hitwise. The World Cup generates a lot of demand for travel, and the increased traffic to SAA’s website could represent a greater number of travelers choosing this airline after seeing the brand as a World Cup sponsor.

With the celebration of Canada’s 143rd birthday last week and the upcoming G8/G20 summits in Toronto later this month, Canada has recently received a lot of attention in international media. The question being asked domestically is centered on its national identity; specifically, people want to know: does Canada have a “brand” that it can export overseas?

“Drink Tsingtao, Understand China” reads one ad from the Chinese beer label’s newest campaign. Others play on Chinese drinking customs, like “In China, there’s a penalty for arriving late to drinks: down 3 beers.” Even though they are only displayed domestically, these ads are in English. Approximate Chinese “translations” in much smaller characters are also included below the main text.

Even during the global financial crisis the economy of China continued to boom, causing many global companies to increase their investment in here. Global retail brands aim to penetrate deeply into this attractive market, and thus require an effective brand strategy that takes into account brand localization.