During January/February (2009) Google made an update to their search algorithm. Many in the search community are calling this update a Big Brand push. Meaning the change in the algorithm has helped big Brands achieve high rankings for certain keywords.

Matt Cutts of Google produced a video to discuss the update: “I would not call it an update, I would call it just a simple change.” – Matt Cutts

Further reading on the topic can be found here:
Search Engine Land
SEO Book

Related posts:

1. New Google Webmaster Guidelines
2. The Google PR Update Is Over
3. Learn SEO from Sergey Brin of Google
4. Easy SEO Tips & Tricks On Page Optimization
5. Iphone Update coming soon
6. Google Search Gets Dates
7. Update on Google Assassin