It can be tough for advertisers on YouTube, who have to compete in a world of cute animals and Drake’s questionable dancing.
But nonetheless, some brands managed to stand out. Below is a list of the top 10 ads viewed in Canada for 2015, according to YouTube’s leaderboard.
Among the major trends in ads this year was gaming. The top two ads of the year were both for mobile games (Clash of Clans and Boom Beach) and more than 20 of the 100 top subscribed YouTube channels are gaming-related, according to the site.
Also big this year were socially-conscious ads, including Always’ follow-up to “#LikeAGirl,” called “Unstoppable” and the Ontario government’s “#WhoWillYouHelp,” focused on encouraging people to speak up about sexual harassment and assault. Both of those campaigns were created by Leo Burnett, which was named strategy‘s Agency of the Year last month.
“Fatherly love” was also big this year, YouTube says. “Millennial dads are turning to YouTube for answers to parenting questions and brands have taken note, producing ads that show appreciation for fathers,” its press release says, pointing to top ads from Quaker and Dove Men+Care.
In 2015, the average length of the top ads was 1:37 minutes and the top 10 ads had more than 257 million views. Average watch-time duration for the top ads is 72%.
Top 10 ads on YouTube for 2015:
Clash of Clans: Revenge (Official Super Bowl TV Commercial) (Clash of Clans)
[iframe_youtube video=”GC2qk2X3fKA”]
Great Plan (Official TV Commercial) (Boom Beach)
[iframe_youtube video=”bE1EwcPQF8Q”]
Always #LikeAGirl – Unstoppable
[iframe_youtube video=”VhB3l1gCz2E”]
#BestBuds | 2015 Budweiser Super Bowl Commercial “Lost Dog”
[iframe_youtube video=”xAsjRRMMg_Q”]
Dove Men+Care shares your first fatherhood moments this Father’s Day
[iframe_youtube video=”R0-5HORRXU0″]
Reebok – Freak Show
[iframe_youtube video=”UDb-7DY3CjU”]
Duracell Star Wars Commercial: Battle for Christmas Morning
[iframe_youtube video=”YBh0hgP8wWk”]
“The Recital” (Quaker Canada)
[iframe_youtube video=”eoyq9pcp4Cg”]
#WhoWillYouHelp (Ontario Government)
[iframe_youtube video=”c2ZSZrGc-O8″]
