The 5 Ads of 2017 You Really Need To Watch (Again)
Every month Unruly scours the corners of the web for the funniest, saddest and weirdest ads around – then we put them on a handy list so you can catch up before the weekend.
This month has a twist, however. As it’s the end of the year, we decided to turn things up a notch and give you our favourite ads of the year. This year’s round-up includes a holiday ad from London Heathrow Airport, a terrifically-terrifying Halloween spot from Mars, and even an ad from Super Bowl sweetheart Hyundai.
Also making the list are Audi’s clowns and the star of Samsung’s 2017, “The Ostrich”.
So without further ado, enjoy!
5. London Heathrow Airport – #HeathrowBears
Building on its surprise success from last year, Heathrow Airport’s Xmas ad expands on the story of Doris and Edward Bair and their 50-year love story. Opening in 1967, we see Mr and Mrs Bear’s romance begin on a plane where Mr Bair was a passenger and Mrs Bair was a flight attendant. The ad then follows the couple throughout their relationship, full of all the moments you’d expect: long distance struggles, holidays, growing families and more. We don’t want to spoil the ending, but get ready for the feels. Heathrow definitely knows how to tug at your heartstrings this holiday season, in the best way possible.
4. Skittles – Floor 9.5
Mars arguably won Halloween this year with its ‘Bitesize Horrors’ series, but the real star of this campaign is ‘Floor 9.5’. Drawing inspiration from ‘The Twilight Zone’, ‘Floor 9.5’ features all things that a Halloween should have – creepy buildings, mysterious elevators and more than a few scares. In ‘Floor 9.5’, a regular day at the office turns tumultuous when an employee gets trapped between floors 9 and 10 on the elevator. What happens when the elevator doors open? Well, you’ll just have to watch and see.
3. Audi – Send in the Clowns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWKdI6qMUNM
Ever heard of Coulrophobia? Well, put it this way, if you have it – this next ad is NOT for you. Audi’s ‘Send in the Clowns’ shows what would happen if clowns roamed our streets – riding around in clown cars and generally wreaking havoc. However, those cars are soon put to shame when an Audi pulls up, showcasing nifty automatic brakes when the clown car is in its path. Despite its playful nature and creative take on a traditional auto ad, what makes this ad most compelling is its colourful cinematography. For a second you might catch yourself forgetting you’re watching an ad and aren’t actually on a journey with these clowns.
2. Samsung – Do What You Can’t (Ostrich)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk0mungcUls
This year Samsung showed us that the future doesn’t have to be scary – especially when it involves animals trying out technology. Set to Elton John’s ‘Rocket Man’, we follow the journey of a very inspirational Ostrich (not a phrase I ever thought I’d say) that gets a VR headset stuck to its beak – and we see what it’s like to dream big, achieve our fantasies, and take flight.
1. Hyundai – A Better Super Bowl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7n-GxJBw1k
This past Super Bowl was definitely one for the books – the first live ad, politics at the forefront, event Jon Lovitz enthusiastically holding that bowl of avocados… From funny spots, to heartfelt social causes, to celebrities galore – Super Bowl LI had it all. But this year’s winner was definitely Hyundai’s ‘A Better Super Bowl’ spot, filmed during the game itself at a US military base in Zagan, Poland. The first spot in its ‘Better Drives Us’ campaign, ‘A Better Super Bowl’ helped US soldiers stationed overseas watch the Super Bowl with their loved ones – with a little help from virtual reality.
Honourable mention:
Halo Top – Eat the Ice Cream
