YouTube’s most watched ads of 2013
2013 is coming to an end, so it’s time to cast a nostalgic eye over the ten most-viewed ads on YouTube this year. It was a big year for dancing babies and a certain bear and hare as advertisers such as Evian, Pepsi Max and John Lewis imbued their videos with creativity, humour and often quirky animals to create blockbuster viral content.
1. Evian – Baby and Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfxB5ut-KTs
Creative Agency: betc paris
Media Agency: Havas
Evian brought back its dancing – but slightly freaky – babies this year in a quirky ad encouraging viewers to embrace their inner child and dance. Set to the tune, “Here comes the Hotstepper”, remixed by electro DJ Yuksek for Evian, continues the brand’s recent success with its baby advertising shenanigans.
2. John Lewis Christmas Advert 2013 – The Bear & The Hare
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqWig2WARb0
Creative Agency: Adam & Eve DDB
Media Agency: MGOMD
It’s telling that, despite launching only last month, John Lewis’ much-loved Christmas ad is already second on the list. The brand continues to raise the bar when it comes to giving its ads that emotive element needed to get viewers sharing branded content within their social circles.
3. Three – The Pony #DancePonyDance
Creative Agency: Wieden + Kennedy
Media Agency: Mindshare
Three set the social media sphere buzzing this year with its moonwalking pony. It may sound like a ridiculous concept, but the sight of the shuffling Shetland pony combined with the sounds of Fleetwood Mac’s Everywhere, spurred a torrent of positive conversation around the brand. Never underestimate the power of a dancing pony.
4. Dove Real Beauty Sketches
Creative Agency: Ogilvy Toronto
Media Agency: Mindshare
Dove’s short film sparked debate when it launched with some fans claiming it was a well-crafted play into beauty stereotypes rather than being empowering. Importantly, it got people talking and went on to become one of the viral standouts of the year.
5. O2 – Be more dog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMzgl0nFj3s
Creative Agency: VCCP
Cats have dominated the viral scene in recent years but O2 looked to change that with its effort to encourage viewers to “Be more dog”. Its star, a multi-talented moggy, is shown embracing its more canine-like side as it cleverly asked viewers to embrace the O2 network over its rivals.
6. Honda ”Hands”
Creative Agency: W&K
Media Agency: Mindshare/PHD
7. PlayStation 4 – See it First at E3 teaser
Creative Agency: Sony PlayStation
Media Agency: DNK
8. Pepsi Max & Dynamo present – “Bus Levitation” #LiveForNow
Creative Agency: Arnold KLP
Media Agency: OMD
9. FIFA 14 TV Commercial – We Are FIFA 14
Creative Agency: Wieden + Kennedy Amsterdam
Media Agency: Mediacom
10. Sony – Sony Xperia Z TV Ad featuring music from David Bowie