Top 8 Most Popular Video Ads of All Time [And How to Create Your Own]

Video advertisements have become an integral part of modern marketing strategies, captivating audiences with their creativity, humor, and emotional appeal. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the top 8 most popular video ads of all time, analyze what makes them so effective, and provide you with practical steps to create your own compelling commercials. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or a small business owner looking to boost your brand visibility, this article will equip you with valuable insights and tools to craft memorable video ads that resonate with your target audience.

Part 1: Top 8 Most Popular Video Ads of All Time

1. Doritos - "Crash the Super Bowl" Campaign

• Views: 2.1 billion
• Likes: 3.9 million
• Comments: 50,424
• Ad Score: 10/10

Doritos revolutionized Super Bowl advertising with their "Crash the Super Bowl" campaign, which invited consumers to create their own Doritos commercials. The winning ad, featuring a clever boy outsmarting a sumo wrestler for a bag of chips, perfectly encapsulated the brand's playful spirit.

What made it work?

• User-generated content fostered audience engagement
• Humor appealed to a wide demographic
• Brand integration was seamless and central to the plot

2. Old Spice - "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like"

• Views: 59 million
• Likes: 447,000
• Comments: 75,000
• Ad Score: 9.5/10

Old Spice's iconic commercial featuring Isaiah Mustafa as "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like" became an instant viral sensation. The ad's rapid-fire delivery, absurdist humor, and clever visual effects captivated audiences and revitalized the brand's image.

What made it work?

• Memorable catchphrases and visual gags
• Subversion of traditional masculinity tropes
• Strong brand association with confidence and charm

3. Nike - "Dream Crazy" featuring Colin Kaepernick

• Views: 30 million
• Likes: 619,000
• Comments: 235,000
• Ad Score: 9/10

Nike's "Dream Crazy" campaign, narrated by Colin Kaepernick, sparked controversy and conversation. The ad's powerful message about pursuing dreams despite obstacles resonated deeply with audiences and reinforced Nike's brand values.

What made it work?

• Emotional storytelling with real-life examples
• Alignment with social justice issues
• Inspiring call-to-action that transcended product promotion

4. Always - "#LikeAGirl"

• Views: 70 million
• Likes: 312,000
• Comments: 42,000
• Ad Score: 8.5/10

Always' "#LikeAGirl" campaign challenged societal stereotypes and empowered young women. The ad's social experiment format effectively highlighted gender biases and sparked important conversations about female empowerment.

What made it work?

• Thought-provoking concept that challenged norms
• Emotional impact through real reactions
• Strong brand alignment with female empowerment

5. Apple - "1984"

• Views: 19 million (remastered version)
• Likes: 184,000
• Comments: 12,000
• Ad Score: 8/10

Apple's "1984" commercial, directed by Ridley Scott, is often hailed as one of the greatest ads of all time. The dystopian-themed ad introduced the Macintosh computer and positioned Apple as a revolutionary force in personal computing.

What made it work?

• Cinematic quality and powerful visual metaphors
• Bold positioning against competitors
• Cultural relevance and timeless message

6. Volkswagen - "The Force"

• Views: 63 million
• Likes: 157,000
• Comments: 18,000
• Ad Score: 7.5/10

Volkswagen's "The Force" ad, featuring a young child dressed as Darth Vader attempting to use the Force, charmed audiences with its adorable protagonist and clever product integration.

What made it work?

• Universal appeal through pop culture references
• Heartwarming storyline with a surprise ending
• Subtle but effective product showcase

7. Budweiser - "Whassup?"

• Views: 54 million (various uploads)
• Likes: 230,000
• Comments: 25,000
• Ad Score: 7/10

Budweiser's "Whassup?" campaign became a cultural phenomenon, popularizing a catchphrase that transcended advertising. The ad's relatable depiction of male friendship and casual beer drinking resonated with viewers.

What made it work?

• Memorable catchphrase that entered popular lexicon
• Authentic portrayal of friendship and social situations
• Simple concept with high replay value

8. Dove - "Real Beauty Sketches"

• Views: 68 million
• Likes: 177,000
• Comments: 30,000
• Ad Score: 6.5/10

Dove's "Real Beauty Sketches" campaign explored women's self-perception through a unique social experiment. The emotional impact of the ad's reveal resonated with viewers and reinforced Dove's commitment to promoting positive body image.

What made it work?

• Powerful emotional storytelling
• Relatable concept that sparked self-reflection
• Strong alignment with brand values and mission

Part 2: How to Make a Commercial: 8 Crucial Steps

Creating a successful video ad requires careful planning, creativity, and execution. Here are eight essential steps to guide you through the process:

Step1Define Your Objectives and Target Audience

Before diving into production, clearly outline your advertising goals and identify your target demographic. Understanding who you're speaking to will inform every aspect of your commercial, from the script to the visuals.

• Conduct market research to understand your audience's preferences
• Set specific, measurable goals for your ad campaign
• Align your objectives with your overall marketing strategy

Step2Develop a Compelling Concept and Script

Craft a unique concept that captures attention and conveys your message effectively. Your script should be concise, engaging, and tailored to your target audience.

• Brainstorm creative ideas that align with your brand identity
• Focus on storytelling elements that resonate emotionally
• Keep your script simple and easy to understand

Step3Storyboard Your Commercial

Visualize your ad by creating a storyboard that outlines each shot and scene. This will help you plan your production and ensure a cohesive final product.

• Sketch out key frames to illustrate the flow of your commercial
• Include notes on camera angles, transitions, and special effects
• Use the storyboard to identify potential challenges before filming

Step4Plan Your Productio

Organize all the necessary elements for your shoot, including location, actors, props, and equipment.

• Scout locations that fit your concept and budget
• Cast actors or spokespersons who embody your brand values
• Create a detailed shot list and production schedule

Step5Shoot Your Commercial

Execute your vision by filming your commercial, paying attention to lighting, sound, and composition.

• Use high-quality equipment to ensure professional results
• Capture multiple takes of each scene for editing flexibility
• Monitor audio quality throughout the shoot

Step6Edit and Post-Production

Bring your commercial to life in post-production, adding music, special effects, and fine-tuning the pacing.

• Choose music that enhances the mood and message of your ad
• Incorporate graphics and text to reinforce key points
• Ensure smooth transitions between scenes

Step7Test and Refine

Before launching your commercial, gather feedback from test audiences and make necessary adjustments.

• Conduct focus groups to gauge audience reactions
• A/B test different versions to determine the most effective cut
• Make revisions based on constructive feedback

Step8Distribute and Promote

Choose the right platforms to showcase your commercial and develop a promotion strategy to maximize its reach.

• Select distribution channels that align with your target audience
• Optimize your ad for different platforms (TV, social media, websites)
• Monitor performance metrics and adjust your strategy as needed

Part 3: Virbo – One-Click Tool to Create the Commercial Video

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In today's fast-paced digital landscape, creating high-quality video ads quickly and efficiently is crucial. Virbo emerges as a game-changing solution, offering a comprehensive suite of AI-powered tools to streamline the commercial creation process.

Virbo is an all-in-one platform that combines AI script generation, AI avatars, and ad optimization features to help users produce professional-grade video ads with minimal effort. Whether you're a small business owner or a marketing professional, Virbo empowers you to create compelling commercials that resonate with your target audience.

Key Features

• AI Script Generator: Craft engaging scripts tailored to your brand and objectives
• AI Avatar Creation: Choose from a diverse range of lifelike virtual presenters
• Text-to-Speech Technology: Generate natural-sounding voiceovers in multiple languages
• Video Template Library: Access a wide selection of customizable templates
• Ad Performance Analytics: Track and optimize your video ad's effectiveness

How to Use Virbo to Create  Video Commercial:

Step 1: Start the Virbo AI Video Generator software on your computer and click on “Create Video”.

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Step 2: Choose the “aspect ratio” of the video  and click “Create Video” from the pop-up window.

Step 3: Navigate to on “Avatars” and choose a suitable AI Avatar for the video.

• Customize the selected Avatar style according to your requirements.

Step 4:  Provide the script for your commercial by navigating to the “Text script” section and type the video’s script.

• If you don’t have a script ready, click on “AI Script” and follow the on-screen instructions to generate the video script using Virbo’s built-in AI script generator.

Step 5: After that, take advantage of Virbo’s customization feature to edit your video's background style &  text styles, add stickers, and perform other editing actions that enhances your video.

Step 6: Preview the video once you’re done with editing it.

• To save the video, click “Export” and save it in a folder on your computer.

With Virbo, you can produce professional-quality video ads in a fraction of the time and cost of traditional methods, allowing you to focus on strategy and creativity while the AI handles the technical aspects of production.

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Conclusion

The world of video advertising continues to evolve, offering endless possibilities for brands to connect with their audiences in meaningful ways. By studying the most popular video ads of all time and following the crucial steps outlined in this guide, you can create compelling commercials that capture attention, evoke emotions, and drive results.

Also, with tools like Virbo at your disposal, even small businesses and individual creators can produce professional-quality video ads that compete with industry giants.