The Most Successful Commercial of All Time, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the commercial you think is the most successful!

Updated on May 6, 2024 06:58

The world of advertising is consistently marked by commercials that not only captivate audiences but also drive significant market trends. Assessing which commercial stands out as the most successful historically helps industry professionals and audiences appreciate shifts in marketing strategies and consumer response. Our system allows you to contribute your views on these powerful advertisements. By voting, you participate in shaping a dynamic, real-time ranking that celebrates the creativity and impact of these commercials. Your input ensures that the collective opinion is reflected in the listing, adding depth and context to the evolving landscape of successful advertising.

What Is the Most Successful Commercial of All Time?

1

65
votes
Coca-Cola's "Hilltop" (1971)

This iconic commercial featuring a multicultural group singing "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke" is widely regarded as the most successful commercial of all time. It helped solidify Coke's brand identity as a beverage that brings people together and has been parodied and referenced countless times in popular culture.
Coca-Cola's 'Hilltop' is an iconic commercial that first aired in 1971 and is considered one of the most successful commercials of all time. It features a multicultural group of young people atop a hill in Italy, singing the famous jingle 'I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke.' The commercial conveys a message of unity, hope, and harmony, along with the idea that Coca-Cola can bring people together.

Length: 1 minute

Year: 1971

Concept: Singing a jingle with a multicultural group of young people

Location: Hilltop setting in Italy

Tagline: 'I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke'
2

29
votes

Apple's "1984" (1984)

This groundbreaking commercial aired during the Super Bowl and introduced the Macintosh computer as a revolutionary product that would liberate people from conformity and the oppressive "Big Brother" figure. It was directed by Ridley Scott and is still considered one of the greatest commercials ever made.
3

30
votes

Budweiser's "Whassup?" (1999)

This humorous ad featuring a group of friends greeting each other with the catchphrase "Whassup?" became a cultural phenomenon and was one of the most memorable commercials of the late 1990s.
4

15
votes
Old Spice's "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like" (2010)

This clever commercial featuring a shirtless Isaiah Mustafa promoting Old Spice body wash became an instant hit and helped revitalize the brand's image. It also spawned a series of follow-up ads and made Mustafa a household name.
Old Spice's "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like" is a humorous and iconic Super Bowl commercial that first aired in 2010. The ad features former NFL player Isaiah Mustafa as the 'Old Spice Man,' who delivers a suave and confident monologue while showcasing the brand's various products in unconventional scenarios.

Year: 2010

Brand: Old Spice

Duration: 30 seconds

Actor: Isaiah Mustafa

Theme: Humor
5

13
votes

Nike's "Just Do It" (1988)

This simple yet powerful slogan became synonymous with Nike's brand and has been used in countless ads over the years. The original commercial featured a variety of athletes and encouraged viewers to push themselves to achieve their goals.
6

12
votes
McDonald's "I'm Lovin' It" (2003)

McDonald's Corporation

This catchy jingle and slogan became ubiquitous in McDonald's advertising and helped reinforce the brand's association with happiness and enjoyment. It was also used in a series of commercials featuring celebrities like Justin Timberlake and LeBron James.
The 'McDonald's 'I'm Lovin' It' commercial was a global marketing campaign launched in 2003. It featured a catchy jingle with the same name and aimed to create a positive and uplifting image of McDonald's and its products.

Year: 2003

Tagline: I'm Lovin' It

Duration: Various versions ranging from 10 to 60 seconds

Language: Multiple languages, tailored for different markets

Target audience: Wide range of consumers, particularly young adults and families
7

10
votes
Volkswagen's "Think Small" (1959)

Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB)

This ad campaign helped establish Volkswagen as a hip and unconventional choice for car buyers in the United States. The minimalist design and witty copywriting were a departure from the flashy, oversized American cars of the time.
Volkswagen's 'Think Small' is an iconic commercial that was released in 1959. It revolutionized advertising by taking a bold and unconventional approach that stood out from other car ads at the time. The ad campaign aimed to promote the compact Volkswagen Beetle in the American market, where bigger cars were the norm. The 'Think Small' commercial challenged the traditional notion that bigger is better, appealing to consumers looking for efficiency and practicality. It featured minimalistic visuals, simple typography, and clever copywriting that emphasized the car's unique selling points. The campaign successfully portrayed the Beetle as an affordable, reliable, and stylish option for modern consumers.

Release Year: 1959

Advertising Agency: Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB)

Car Brand: Volkswagen

Campaign Theme: 'Think Small'

Target Market: American consumers
8

5
votes

Pepsi's "Pepsi Generation" (1963)

This campaign introduced the idea of Pepsi as the choice of a new generation and helped the brand appeal to younger consumers. It also featured a series of memorable ads with celebrities like Michael Jackson and Cindy Crawford.
9

11
votes
Toglenn · CC BY-SA 3.0

Dos Equis' "The Most Interesting Man in the World" (2006)

This ad campaign featuring a suave, adventurous older man became a viral sensation and helped elevate Dos Equis from a niche beer brand to a mainstream favorite. The ads were filled with tongue-in-cheek humor and memorable catchphrases like "I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis."
Dos Equis' "The Most Interesting Man in the World" is a long-running advertising campaign that showcases a charismatic and worldly character portrayed by actor Jonathan Goldsmith. The character is seen engaging in various fascinating and adventurous activities while a narrator describes him as the epitome of a remarkable and intriguing individual. The campaign's slogan, 'I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis,' has become widely recognized and associated with the character.

Year of Creation: 2006

Length of Campaign: 2006-present

Character Actor: Jonathan Goldsmith

Slogan: I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis

Target Audience: Adults (21+)
10

2
votes
Valereee · CC BY-SA 4.0

Wendy's "Where's the Beef?" (1984)

This humorous commercial featuring an elderly woman demanding to know "Where's the beef?" in her hamburger became a pop culture phenomenon and helped Wendy's stand out in a crowded fast food market. The catchphrase became a cultural touchstone and has been referenced in movies, TV shows, and even political campaigns.
The Wendy's 'Where's the Beef?' commercial is a memorable television advertisement created in 1984. It became hugely popular and is considered one of the most successful commercials of all time. The commercial features three elderly ladies inspecting a competitor's hamburger bun, only to find it disappointingly small in comparison to the Wendy's hamburger. One of the ladies, Clara Peller, famously exclaims, 'Where's the beef?' expressing her dissatisfaction with the lack of meat in the competitor's sandwich.

Year: 1984

Brand: Wendy's

Slogan: 'Where's the Beef?'

Campaign Theme: Challenging competitors' portion sizes

Main Character: Clara Peller

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Discussion

Ranking factors for successful commercial

Effectiveness

A successful commercial should have a clear message and goal that resonates with its target audience. It should be able to drive sales and brand recognition.
Reach

A commercial's success can also be measured by its overall reach and impact. This includes the number of people who have seen the ad and the level of engagement it generates.
Innovation

A commercial that breaks the mold and introduces a new concept or approach to advertising can be seen as more successful than those that use traditional methods.
Cultural relevance

A commercial that taps into cultural zeitgeist or societal issues can resonate more strongly with people and generate a greater impact.
Longevity

A successful commercial should be able to stand the test of time and remain popular and relevant for years after it was first aired.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful 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

2189 views
189 votes
10 ranked items

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 successful commercial of all time

The world of advertising is constantly evolving, with new and innovative campaigns being launched every year. However, there are a few commercials that have stood the test of time and continue to be remembered and talked about even decades after their initial release. The question of which commercial is the most successful of all time is a highly debated topic, with various opinions and perspectives. From iconic slogans to memorable jingles and unforgettable characters, each commercial has its unique charm and appeal. In this article, we will explore some of the most successful commercials of all time and what made them stand out from the rest.