YouTube has unveiled its collection of the most searched for ads of 2012 and we have them here for you!
YouTube advised brands to include humour and interactivity into their online video campaigns, which they posted onto YouTube, in order to maximise viewing figures. Many of the Top Ten did this and rightfully earned their high ranking positions.
Topping the 2012 list was Honda Civic’s ‘Spark’ TV ad. Confirmed as the most popular video ad to be uploaded to YouTube this year, closely followed by Peugeot’s ‘Nonstop’ which sampled one of the biggest selling singles of this year, Rudimental ft. John Newman – Feel The Love.
Durex’s cheeky ‘Vinyl’ ad which sampled a version of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get it on’ played at various speeds finished third place.
Comparethemarket.com’s Meerkat Polka band playing the Coronation Street theme proved to be very popular, enough so that they now sponsor the UK’s most popular soap.
YouTube’s head of creative agency partnerships, Hamish Nicklin, says.
“Businesses are increasingly taking advantage of YouTube to build their brand, interact with their fans and spread their message.
“The power of choice and the opportunity for greater viewer engagement is driving more creative, entertaining video advertising than ever before.”
YouTube, owned by Google, also released guidelines earlier this year which advised brands on how best to use the video-sharing platform to maximise viewing figures.
The guidelines included: creating original and interactive content with social features (links to corporate Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin profiles) to increase sharing among users.
The following quotes were taken from YouTube’s guidelines:
“Create the type of content that has proven to be successful online — think humorous music videos, short-form series, kittens”
“One of the best things about the web is that often viewers aren’t just passively watching the content but can participate in it, combining the best of technology and creativity.”
Giffgaff’s CEO, Mike Fairman, said its viral video activity, worked smoothly alongside its sponsorship of Channel 4’s Big Bang Theory and helped quadruple its brand awareness in 2012.
Giffgaff, a mobile operator came up with a concept for their ‘CONtract’ ad which ranked among the top 10 most popular YouTube video ads of this year.
Fairman conceded that although Giffgaff are a smaller business than many of the other high ranking YouTube ads of 2012, it has given them an edge which they have capitalised on to gain and retain their success.
“Being a smaller business we have to make a budgets work harder and viral content is one of the best ways to do that. The payback with that one ad, featuring kids entertainment characters Keith Harris and Orville was amazing.”
Here’s the full list of YouTube’s Top Ten ads of 2012:
1. Honda Civic UK – Honda Civic ‘Spark’ HD TV ad
2. Peugeot – Nonstop to Rudimental ft. John Newman – Feel The Love
3. Durex – Durex Vinyl
4. O2 UK – O2 Pay & Go Go Go is here
5. Comparethemarket.com – Meerkat Polka Band Play Corrie Theme Tune
6. BT Infinity – Take a look around Flat 6
7. Google Chrome – Julie Deane
8. EE UK – Fenton 4GEE Remaster
9. GiffGaffTV – The CONtract feat. K-Orville
10. Turner Benelux – A DRAMATIC SURPRISE ON A QUIET SQUARE
Which YouTube ad was your firm favourite this year? Let us know and we’ll feature it for everyone to see!
