Taylor Swift named one of 'world's greatest leaders', President Obama fails to make the cut

Taylor Swift may not be the first name that springs to mind when considering the greatest world leaders.

The multi-platinum selling singer has amassed legions of fans from across the globe with her music and recently snubbed Spotify by pulling her collection from the streaming service.

This act of defiance, her decision to “embrace corporate sponsorship” and her use of social media as a branding tool were all explained as reasons why Fortune magazine put her at number six on their list of world’s greatest leaders.

Their top 50 honours “extraordinary” men and women who are “transforming business, government, philanthropy” and more.

Meanwhile, the US President Barack Obama failed to make the cut.

In an editorial explaining her place in the top ten, Editor Alan Murray praised Swift for earning her place as the highest-paid woman in the music industry “without resorting to dumbed-down salacious gimmickry”.

“Taylor Swift didn’t become the highest-paid woman in the music business by accident,” he wrote.

"Pop’s savviest star has crossed swords with Spotify, embraced corporate sponsorship, and moved to secure dozens of trademarks (including phrases like “This sick beat”)—plus she has proved shrewder at honing a brand in the social media age than virtually any other person or company.”

Mr Murray wrote a second article on his decision to exclude Mr Obama for a second year in a row.

"At home our politics are as divided - and our federal government is as dysfunctional - as they were when he took office," he said.

"Abroad, the record is worse. Many wise foreign-policy analysts believe the President’s public waffling on Syria not only fed the terrorism of the Islamic State (Isis), but also emboldened thugs around the world - notably Vladimir Putin."

Apple CEO Tim Cook was first in the list, while Pope Francis came in fourth for his "vision, fortitude, and commitment to reform" the Catholic Church.