The Most Popular Commercial of All Time, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the commercial you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 15, 2024 06:58
In a world bombarded by countless advertisements, certain commercials stand out, capturing hearts and stirring emotions like no other. They become not just promotions but cultural milestones, cherished and remembered long after they've aired. It pushes one to think about what makes these commercials tick and stick in the collective consciousness of society.
This ranking system offers an interactive community-driven approach, where you have the power to influence which commercials are truly unforgettable. By casting your vote, you help shape a dynamic list that reflects popular opinion, trends, and preferences in real time. It’s more than just a ranking—it's an ongoing conversation about what makes a commercial legendary.
What Is the Most Popular Commercial of All Time?
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165votes
Coca-Cola - "Hilltop" (1971)
The Coca-Cola CompanyThis iconic commercial featured a multicultural group of people singing "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)" on a hilltop. It is considered one of the most successful and influential ads of all time.The Coca-Cola - 'Hilltop' commercial was a television advertisement released in 1971. It featured a diverse group of young people from all over the world standing on a hilltop singing a catchy jingle that spread a message of unity and harmony. The ad showcased the idea of people coming together and enjoying Coca-Cola as a symbol of happiness and togetherness.- Year: 1971
- Advertisement Type: Television commercial
- Theme: Unity and harmony
- Concept: People from all over the world enjoying Coca-Cola together
- Location: Hilltop setting
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230votesThis ad aired during the Super Bowl and introduced the Macintosh computer. It is famous for its dystopian theme and was directed by Ridley Scott.The Apple - "1984" commercial, released in 1984, is often regarded as one of the most iconic and influential commercials of all time. It was created to introduce the Apple Macintosh during the 1984 Super Bowl. The commercial depicted a dystopian future where a Big Brother-like figure represented conformity, and a vibrant heroine unleashed the revolution with the Macintosh.
- Release Year: 1984
- Length: 60 seconds
- Theme: Dystopian future, rebellion
- Broadcast: Super Bowl XVIII
- Concept: Challenging authority, promoting innovation
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323votesThis ad featured a group of friends saying "whassup?" to each other repeatedly. It became a cultural phenomenon and was parodied in various movies and TV shows.The Budweiser - 'Whassup?' commercial, released in 1999, is a humorous ad that showcases a group of friends casually greeting each other with the phrase 'Whassup?'. The ad starts with one friend answering the phone and initiating the greeting, which quickly escalates into a series of hilarious exchanges. The term 'Whassup?' became a popular cultural catchphrase following the commercial's release.
- Year of release: 1999
- Brand: Budweiser
- Advertising agency: DDB Chicago
- Duration: 60 seconds
- Genre: Humor
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423votes
Old Spice - "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like" (2010)
Wieden+KennedyThis ad starred actor Isaiah Mustafa and featured humorous and over-the-top scenes. It became a viral sensation and helped rebrand Old Spice as a younger and more hip brand.The Old Spice - 'The Man Your Man Could Smell Like' commercial is a widely popular advertisement for Old Spice men's grooming products. It was first aired in 2010 and quickly became a viral sensation. The commercial features a confident and charismatic character who delivers fast-paced, humorous monologues while showcasing the various Old Spice products in surreal and unexpected situations. With its witty dialogue and visually engaging sequences, the commercial successfully captured the attention of viewers and became an iconic part of pop culture.- Release Year: 2010
- Duration: 30 seconds
- Advertiser: Old Spice
- Product: Old Spice men's grooming products
- Campaign Name: The Man Your Man Could Smell Like
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512votesThis ad campaign featured a catchy jingle and a series of commercials with various celebrities, including Justin Timberlake. It helped reinvigorate McDonald's brand and increase sales.The McDonald's - 'I'm Lovin' It' commercial from 2003 is a globally recognized advertisement that promoted the McDonald's brand and its products. The commercial features a catchy jingle and energetic visuals, showcasing people from all walks of life enjoying McDonald's food and expressing their love for the brand. It was part of a larger marketing campaign aimed at portraying McDonald's as a fun and inclusive fast-food restaurant.
- Year: 2003
- Length: 30 seconds
- Tagline: 'I'm Lovin' It'
- Jingle performer: Justin Timberlake
- Language: Multilingual, adapted globally
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612votes
Nike - "Just Do It" (1988)
Wieden+KennedyThis ad campaign featured inspirational messages and sports stars like Michael Jordan and Bo Jackson. It helped establish Nike as a leading sports brand and has been used for over 30 years.The Nike - Just Do It commercial, released in 1988, is a highly influential and iconic advertisement that encapsulates the spirit of Nike's brand and its call to action. It features various athletes showcasing their determination and perseverance in the face of challenges, inspiring viewers to push their limits and achieve greatness.- Year: 1988
- Brand: Nike
- Slogan: Just Do It
- Length: 60 seconds
- Director: Joe Pytka
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77votesThis ad campaign featured blind taste tests where people preferred Pepsi over Coca-Cola. It helped establish Pepsi as a viable competitor to Coca-Cola and increased their market share.The Pepsi Challenge was a highly influential television commercial that aired in 1975 as part of a marketing campaign by PepsiCo. It featured a blind taste test where participants were asked to sample both Coca-Cola and Pepsi without knowing which was which. The commercial aimed to prove that people preferred the taste of Pepsi over Coca-Cola, challenging the long-standing dominance of Coca-Cola in the beverage market.
- Year: 1975
- Advertising campaign: The Pepsi Challenge
- Type: Television commercial
- Objective: To promote Pepsi as preferred choice over Coca-Cola
- Influence: Highly influential in challenging Coca-Cola's market dominance
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89votesThis ad campaign helped establish Volkswagen as a leading car brand in the US. It featured simple and humorous ads that poked fun at the larger cars of the time.The Volkswagen - Think Small (1959) commercial is considered one of the most popular and influential commercials of all time. It was created to challenge the conventions of traditional automobile advertising and promote the Volkswagen Beetle with its compact size and unconventional design.
- Year: 1959
- Brand: Volkswagen
- Campaign Theme: Revolutionary advertising for small cars
- Duration: 60 seconds
- Approach: Subverting traditional automobile advertising
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94votes
Toglenn · CC BY-SA 3.0This ad campaign featured actor Jonathan Goldsmith as a suave and interesting character. It became a cultural phenomenon and helped increase sales of the beer.The Dos Equis - 'The Most Interesting Man in the World' commercial is a highly successful and iconic advertisement campaign that first aired in 2006. The campaign features a charismatic character known as 'The Most Interesting Man in the World,' who showcases various extraordinary experiences and accomplishments, humorously highlighting his fascinating lifestyle and the message 'Stay thirsty, my friends.' With its clever storytelling and memorable quotes, the commercial quickly became a pop culture phenomenon.- Campaign theme: Humorous portrayal of a sophisticated and adventurous man
- Narrator: Jonathan Goldsmith (2006-2016), later Augustin Legrand (2016-2018)
- Tagline: Stay thirsty, my friends.
- Signature phrases: I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
- Visual style: Elegant and cinematic with exotic locations
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102votes
Energizer - "Energizer Bunny" (1989)
Chiat/Day advertising agencyThis ad campaign featured a pink bunny with a drum that kept going and going. It helped establish Energizer as a leading battery brand and has been used for over 30 years.The Energizer - "Energizer Bunny" commercial, created in 1989, is a memorable and iconic advertisement for Energizer batteries featuring a mechanical Energizer Bunny. The commercial follows the bunny as it marches through different scenes, endlessly beating a bass drum, while other toy bunnies around it slowly lose power and stop. The bunny's unstoppable energy represents the long-lasting power of Energizer batteries.- Year: 1989
- Brand: Energizer
- Product: Energizer batteries
- Duration: 30 seconds
- Filming Location: Various indoor and outdoor locations
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Ranking factors for popular commercial
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Audience ReachConsider the number of people who have viewed the commercial on various platforms such as TV, online, and social media. The more people who have seen it, the more popular the commercial.
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MemorabilityAssess whether the commercial has a memorable message, characters, or storyline that people can easily recall, refer to, or discuss.
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Emotional ImpactDetermine the emotional connection that the commercial establishes with the viewers. Successful commercials can evoke strong emotional reactions such as happiness, nostalgia, or even sadness, which can contribute to their popularity.
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Brand RecognitionExamine how well the commercial promotes and strengthens the brand it represents. A popular commercial should help people associate the advertisement with the brand and encourage brand loyalty.
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Cultural ImpactEvaluate the influence the commercial has on culture, whether it has inspired parodies, memes, or popular catchphrases, and if it has transcended the world of advertising to become a part of popular culture.
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LongevityConsider the commercial's staying power or longevity in terms of relevance and popularity over time. A popular commercial should remain well-known and well-liked even after it stops airing.
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Awards and RecognitionReview the commercial's accolades, including awards won in advertising festivals or ceremonies, and recognition from industry experts and publications. Such achievements often indicate a high level of popularity.
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InnovationAnalyze the uniqueness, creativity, or groundbreaking nature of the commercial in terms of concept, storytelling, or production techniques. Popular commercials often push boundaries and set new standards in advertising.
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ShareabilityDetermine how shareable the commercial is on various social media platforms or among people through word of mouth. The more a commercial is shared and discussed, the more popular it is likely to be.
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Conversion RatesAlthough this might not directly correlate with popularity among the general public, a commercial's effectiveness in driving sales, generating leads, or increasing brand awareness is a critical factor when evaluating its success and popularity within the world of advertising.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular commercial of all time. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or commercial is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1803 views
- 188 votes
- 10 ranked items
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Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each commercial once every 24 hours. The rank of each commercial is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular commercial of all time
The world of advertising is constantly evolving, with new commercials and campaigns vying for our attention every day. However, some commercials have managed to stand the test of time and remain in the public consciousness long after they first aired. These are the commercials that capture our hearts, make us laugh, or tug at our heartstrings. But which commercial is the most popular of all time? It's a question that has sparked lively debate among advertising enthusiasts and consumers alike. From classic ads like Coca-Cola's "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" to modern hits like Old Spice's "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like," there are countless contenders for the title of most popular commercial. So, what makes a commercial truly memorable? Is it the catchy jingle, the celebrity spokesperson, or the emotional appeal? Join us as we explore the fascinating world of advertising and discover which commercial has truly captured the hearts and minds of audiences around the world.
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