The Most Popular Ad on TV, Ranked

Choose the ad you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:28
In a bustling world where numerous TV ads compete for attention, it becomes crucial to isolate which advertisements truly captivate the audience and leave a lasting impression. Identifying these standout ads helps advertisers understand what works and, in turn, helps consumers see which brands focus on creativity and quality. By participating in a ranking system, users express their opinions and contribute directly to shaping the advertising trends. Each vote plays a crucial role in determining not only the popularity but the effectiveness of an ad, allowing users to impact what they'll likely see more of in the future.

What Is the Most Popular Ad on TV?

  1. 1
    63
    votes
    "Hilltop" (1971): This ad features a group of young people singing "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke" on a hilltop. It's considered one of the most iconic ads of all time and has been parodied and referenced in pop culture multiple times.
    Coca-Cola is a worldwide popular beverage brand known for its flagship product, Coca-Cola. It is a carbonated soft drink that is adored by millions of people around the globe.
    • Year of creation: 1886
    • Type: Carbonated soft drink
    • Taste: Refreshing, sweet
    • Ingredients: Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural flavors
    • Caffeine content: 34 mg per 12 fl oz (355 mL)
  2. 2
    35
    votes
    "1984" (1984): Directed by Ridley Scott, this ad introduced the Macintosh computer and featured a dystopian society where a woman throws a hammer at a screen displaying Big Brother. It's considered one of the best Super Bowl ads of all time.
    Apple is a multinational technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells consumer electronics, software, and online services. It is widely known for its innovative products and is considered one of the most loved companies in the world.
    • iPhone: Flagship smartphone line
    • MacBook Pro: High-performance laptop
    • iPad: Tablet computer
    • Apple Watch: Smartwatch
    • iMac: All-in-one desktop computer
  3. 3
    11
    votes
    "Whassup?" (1999): This ad features a group of friends greeting each other with "Whassup?" and became a cultural phenomenon in the early 2000s.
    Budweiser is a popular beer brand known for its iconic advertisements. One of its most well-known commercials is the Budweiser Clydesdales, featuring a team of powerful horses pulling a wagon with the Budweiser logo. The ad often depicts heartwarming and emotional scenes, emphasizing the brand's connection to tradition, authenticity, and the American spirit.
    • Duration: Typically 30-60 seconds
    • Theme: Emotional storytelling with a focus on tradition and heritage
    • Music: Often features uplifting and memorable soundtracks
    • Cinematography: High-quality production values and visually appealing shots
    • Narration: May use a narrator to enhance the storytelling
  4. 4
    30
    votes
    "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like" (2010): This ad features a shirtless man talking about how using Old Spice body wash can turn a man into a "manly man." It's known for its humor and catchphrase "I'm on a horse."
    Old Spice is a well-known deodorant brand that offers a range of products for both men and women. It is widely recognized for its distinctive scent and effective odor protection. Old Spice deodorants are designed to keep users feeling fresh and confident throughout the day. The brand has a long-standing history and has been a popular choice among consumers for generations.
    • Long-lasting odor protection: Yes
    • Sweat control: Yes
    • Scent: Distinctive and refreshing
    • Gender: Men
    • Fragrance type: Masculine
    Old Spice in other rankings
  5. 5
    5
    votes
    "I'm Lovin' It" (2003): This ad features Justin Timberlake singing the now-iconic jingle "I'm Lovin' It" and introduced a new slogan for McDonald's.
    McDonald's is a fast-food restaurant chain known for its drive-thru service and iconic Golden Arches logo. It specializes in serving burgers, fries, chicken, and other fast-food items.
    • Founded: 1940 (San Bernardino, California)
    • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
    • Number of Locations: Over 38,000 (worldwide)
    • Global Revenue: Approximately $21 billion (2019)
    • Menu Offerings: Burgers, Fries, Chicken, Breakfast items, Salads, Desserts
  6. 6
    7
    votes
    "Just Do It" (1988): This ad introduced Nike's famous slogan and featured a montage of athletes completing difficult tasks. It's considered one of the most successful ad campaigns of all time.
    Nike is an American multinational corporation that is engaged in the design, development, manufacturing, and marketing of footwear, apparel, equipment, accessories, and services. It is one of the world's largest suppliers of athletic shoes and apparel and a major manufacturer of sports equipment.
    • Founded: January 25, 1964
    • Headquarters: Beaverton, Oregon, United States
    • Industry: Sportswear, Athletics Equipment, Accessories
    • Products: Footwear, Apparel, Sports Equipment, Accessories
    • Revenue: US $37.4 billion (2020)
  7. 7
    9
    votes
    "Michael Jackson Pepsi Generation" (1984): This ad featured Michael Jackson singing and dancing with a group of children and introduced the "Pepsi Generation" slogan.
    Pepsi is a well-known carbonated soft drink that is enjoyed by millions around the world. It has a distinct cola flavor with a refreshing and fizzy taste. Pepsi is often associated with its blue and red logo and is recognized for its catchy advertising campaigns.
    • Type: Carbonated soft drink
    • Flavor: Cola
    • Color: Caramel brown
    • Caffeine Content: 37 mg per 12 fl oz (355 mL)
    • Calories: 150 calories per 12 fl oz (355 mL)
  8. 8
    15
    votes
    "Think Small" (1959): This ad introduced the Volkswagen Beetle to the American market and featured simple, minimalist visuals and copy. It's considered one of the most successful print ads of all time.
    Volkswagen is a renowned European automobile brand known for its reliability, innovation, and high-quality engineering. It offers a wide range of vehicles, including compact cars, sedans, SUVs, and electric vehicles. Volkswagen has a strong reputation for delivering performance, safety, and comfort to its customers.
    • Founded: 1937
    • Headquarters: Wolfsburg, Germany
    • Popular Models: Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Polo, Volkswagen Passat
    • Market Presence: Sold in over 150 countries
    • Annual Production: Millions of vehicles per year
  9. 9
    7
    votes
    Dos Equis
    Kjetil2006 · CC BY-SA 3.0
    "The Most Interesting Man in the World" (2006): This ad features a suave, older man doing daring activities and became a popular meme. It helped boost sales for the Dos Equis beer brand.
    The 'Dos Equis' ad is a popular television commercial that promotes Dos Equis, a Mexican beer brand. The ad is known as 'The Most Interesting Man in the World'.
    • Brand: Dos Equis
    • Tagline: Stay thirsty, my friends.
    • Narrator: Actor Jonathan Goldsmith
    • Debut Year: 2006
    • Length: 30 seconds
    Dos Equis in other rankings
  10. 10
    5
    votes
    "Gecko" (1999): This ad introduced the Geico gecko, a talking gecko who promotes the insurance company. The character has become synonymous with the brand and has appeared in multiple ads.
    The Geico ad is a humorous and widely recognized commercial that promotes Geico insurance services. It uses a combination of live-action and animation to create a light-hearted and entertaining advertisement.
    • Title: Geico Ad
    • Type: TV Commercial
    • Duration: 30 seconds
    • Theme: Insurance services
    • Style: Humorous

Missing your favorite ad?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular ad

  1. Audience Reach
    The number of people who are exposed to the ad across different channels, platforms, and demographics.
  2. Brand Recall
    How well the ad's content resonates with its audience, and if they can easily remember the brand, product, or service being advertised.
  3. Emotional Connection
    The ability of an ad to evoke emotions from the audience, whether positive or negative, which can impact engagement and memorability.
  4. Engagement & Shareability
    The extent to which the audience interacts with, shares, and discusses the ad on social media and other platforms, which can indicate popularity.
  5. Relevance & Relatability
    How well the ad's message and content align with its target audience's interests, needs, and preferences.
  6. Creativity & Originality
    The uniqueness of the ad's concept and execution, making it stand out from other ads and become more memorable.
  7. Entertainment Value
    How enjoyable the ad is to watch, which can encourage repeat views, sharing, and discussion.
  8. Frequency of Exposure
    The number of times the ad appears on TV and other platforms, which can impact the audience's familiarity with and overall opinion of the ad.
  9. Duration on Air
    How long the ad has been airing, which can contribute to its visibility and memorability. Longer exposure usually translates to higher popularity.
  10. Awards & Recognition
    The ad's performance in advertising industry competitions and awards can serve as a benchmark for its popularity and effectiveness.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular ad on TV. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or ad is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1823 views
  • 186 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each ad once every 24 hours. The rank of each ad is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular ad on tv

Television advertising has been a mainstay in the advertising industry for decades. With millions of viewers tuning in to watch their favorite shows, it's no surprise that brands invest heavily in creating compelling ads that grab the attention of the audience. From catchy jingles to heartwarming narratives, TV ads have the power to influence consumer behavior and shape our perceptions of brands. But what makes an ad truly stand out and become the most popular? Is it the humor, the emotional appeal, or simply the product itself? In this article, we'll explore the world of TV advertising and take a closer look at some of the most popular ads to ever hit the small screen.

Share this article