Letโs face it, for half of the year, many of us have been stuck inside with nothing to do but look at our screens and the commercials that came with them. In preparation for colder weather, and for round two of being home-ridden, Iโm sharing with you my top 10 favorite YouTube ads from 2021 and why I love them. Go ahead, sit back, relax, and maybe agree to disagree — at least when it comes to my number 10 pick!
1. Amazon, โAlexaโs Bodyโ
Amazon brought its A game to the 2021 Super Bowl with their ad featuring the voice-activated assistant Alexa but not quite as we know her. What begins with a woman admiring the design of Amazonโs Echo Dot quickly goes off the rails when she sees an ad for a famous American actor. Replacing Alexa with the voice and body of Michael B. Jordan, all we can do is enjoy the hilarious romantic fantasies she experiences as her poor husband watches. Tech products arenโt always the easiest to market, but this ad is brilliantly creative and well-executed.
2. Bud Light Seltzer Lemonade, โLast Yearโs Lemonsโ
After the collective nightmare that was 2020, Iโm sure many of us can relate to Bud Lightโs โLast Yearโs Lemons” commercial. From ruined wedding plans to canceled vacations, all events in a normal year are conveyed being completely decimated by a relentless onslaught of lemons chucked from the sky. This Bud Light ad pretty much sums up 2020 without sugar-coating what we can all agree was the worst year ever. You have to appreciate Bud Light for turning a sour situation into a refreshing twist with their literal interpretation of the proverb โwhen life gives you lemons, make lemonade.โ
3. Travelerโs โLegacyโ
Whatโs something all insurance ads have in common? Theyโre funny. Popular brands such as Progressive, Geico, and Liberty Mutual all have running gags throughout their commercials that keep a serious service light, fun, and at the top of our mind when weโd rather not think about when weโd actually need it. Travelerโs Insurance breaks from the mold with a heartwarming journey of a family business that survives a natural disaster. Rather than focusing on the devastation destruction can bring, weโre instead given a hopeful turn as the business reopens and continues through the next generation. This is definitely one of the better ads this year that may tug at your tear ducts just a smidge.
4. Jimmy Johnโs, โMeet the Kingโ
Jimmy Johnโs is never afraid to think outside the box with new, bold marketing strategies, and the โMeet the King” ad is no exception. Presented as a โScarface” knock-off trailer, weโre introduced to Tony Bolognavich, played by star Brad Garret, as the king of sandwiches. An all-out turf war begins as Tony Bolognavich competes with the new sandwich shop on the block, Jimmy Johnโs. With fresh-baked bread and all-natural sliced meat, even his own family and trusted companions soon betray him. Seeing the unappetizing slab of processed meat from his warehouse, honestly who can blame them? Jimmy Johnโs not only put together a visually engaging commercial but one that really highlights just what makes their sandwiches a cut above the rest!
5. Gain, โOne Sniff and Youโll Be a Gainiac Tooโ
Gain turns the everyday household product into a brand addiction with the promise of โOne Sniff and Youโll be a Gainiac Too!โ Through a parody of the classic, hit song โManiac,โ dancing, and exaggerated whiffs, Gains shows us that laundry day doesnโt have to be a boring routine. Whether youโre stuck at home or the laundromat, you can at least shake the olfactory scenery up thanks to Gain Flings!
6. AT&T, โSay Goodbye to Awkward Chatsโ
If AT&T didnโt make one of the most relatable ads of 2021, then I donโt know who did. Between remote work meetings, zoom calls with family and friends, and just trying to stream your favorite shows, weโve all seen that irritating loading wheel that is the bane of the modern era. AT&T presents us with what bad connection speeds can mean when it matters the most. With AT&T Fiber, you can meet your sisterโs newborn in beautiful, high-resolution while avoiding your face getting frozen on less than flattering expressions.
7. GREENIES, โStickโ
Fact: You canโt have a “Best Ads of 2021” list without at least one pet ad. GREENIES plays dog-ownersโ heartstrings everywhere by showing us a loveable pup that just doesnโt know whatโs good for it. Donโt make the mistake of the commercialโs castaway, and treat your dog to something better to chew on than that old stick you were relying on for help!
8. Rocket Mortgage, โCertain is Betterโ
Rocket Mortgage leads us down the path of what actual uncertainty could look like with comedian, Tracy Morgan. From faulty parachute deployment to bear survival tactics, not knowing the answer could have serious, life-threatening ramifications. When it comes to major life changes like home financing, being โpretty sureโ just doesnโt cut it! Rocket Mortgage ensures โCertain is Betterโ especially in an unprecedented time where no one knows what will happen next.
9. Hyundai, โFor Tomorrow, We Wonโt Waitโ
You know thereโs a disturbance in the force when car companies actually have something important to say in their ads such as hot topics like global warming. World-renowned car brand Hyundai has been releasing a series of ads promoting their eco-friendly vehicles. By teaming up with award-winning South Korean boy band BTS, they can captivate two vastly different audiences with their extensive platforms. Though itโs essentially a car commercial, the central message is a challenge for all of us to make a positive impact now for a better tomorrow. Way to step up and hopefully lead other large conglomerates in the right direction, Hyundai!
10. Oatly, โWow No Cowโ
Though a controversial topic, Oatlyโs CEO Toni Petersson had everyone buzzing at the 2021 Super Bowl. Music and lyrics written by Toni Petersson are incredibly catchy, simplistic, and get right down to what Oatly is about — โWow No Cow.โ The company even poked fun at their low-budget ad by designing T-shirts that said โI Totally Hated that Oatly Commercial.โ Whether youโre an absolute fan or canโt stand oat milk, you canโt deny it isnโt already stuck in your head!
No one knew what life would look like after 2020, but in all honesty, itโs been refreshing seeing companies embrace creative, uplifting, and more transparent marketing strategies viewers can relate to. Instead of shying away from the difficult subject matter, brands are acknowledging that life can be hard at times, though we can also enjoy the little things and support what makes life worth living for. Hereโs to hoping this is a trend that will stick around for a while, especially after such a strong year for ads!