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YouTube ads leaderboard: Q1 2019

Some of the year’s biggest media events take place between the months of January and April, including the Super Bowl, the Oscars, and the Grammys. Advertisers aim to make a splash, but it takes more than a big budget to create an ad that people want to watch. In this edition of the Ads Leaderboard, most top ads feature content that leverages celebrity starpower in new and nostalgic ways. The NFL’s 100-Year Game is a perfect example, using an anniversary banquet to set the stage for a chaotic, thrilling matchup of the league’s all-time greatest talent. Also included is Gillette’s fresh and controversial take on “The Best a Man Can Get,” which features Idris Elba in a reflective opening scene. This compelling ad is a reaction to contemporary movements like “Me Too,” calling for the end of “toxic masculinity” and citing the brand’s belief in the best in men.

Check out these celebrity-brand matchups and more.

Google Pixel 3 | Childish Gambino Playmoji

Brand

Google Pixel 3

Creative Agency

Cashmere Agency, Mamag Studios, Royalty

Media Agency

PHD + Essence

1

The 100-Year Game | SBLIII

Brand

NFL

Creative Agency

72andSunny

Media Agency

Havas

2

Amazon Echo Spot: Bedtime Story

Brand

Echo Spot

Creative Agency

Joint London

Media Agency

Initiative

3

OREO Stay Playful "Playful 4 Life" :15

Brand

Oreo Cookie

Creative Agency

The Martin Agency

Media Agency

VaynerMedia

4

Doritos® | Chance the Rapper x Backstreet Boys Super Bowl OFFICIAL VIDEO #NowItsHot

Brand

Doritos

Creative Agency

Goodby Silverstein

Media Agency

OMD

5

Lindsey Vonn | Carving a Legacy

Brand

Red Bull

Creative Agency

Red Bull Media House

Media Agency

Starcom

6

More Than OK - #SBLIII | Pepsi

Brand

Pepsi Trademark

Creative Agency

Goodby Silverstein

Media Agency

OMD

7

The Elevator | 2019 Super Bowl Commercial | Hyundai

Brand

Hyundai Motor America

Creative Agency

Innocean USA

Media Agency

Canvas Worldwide

8

We Believe: The Best Men Can Be | Gillette (Short Film)

Brand

Gillette

9

Apple Music – Ariana Grande + Memoji

Brand

Apple

Creative Agency

Media Arts Lab

Media Agency

OMD

10

Ads are determined by an algorithm that factors in organic and paid views, watch time, and audience retention.

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