Remember The Incredibles? The DVD of the flick was the biggest bestseller of 2005 to date. And it came from Pixar Animation Studios, the award-winning computer generated imagery (CGI) animation firm from California. And don't forget Finding Nemo, either.

Specialising in high-end 3D computer graphics technology, Pixar develops the industry-standard rendering software RenderMan. It was first born as the computer division of Lucasfilm, responsible for the wildly popular Star Wars series. Purchased by Apple Computer's Steve Jobs (who continues to be CEO) in 1986, it was then established as an independent company. Its brand value is now $2.9 billion, with sales of $0.3 billion. The brand logged 24% growth.

All of Pixar's major features have been made in collaboration with Walt Disney - an arrangement that has been profitable for both. Five of its films have grossed more than $2.5 billion! The relationship is set to end in 2006 though, with the movie Cars.