YouTube released the YouTube Ads Leaderboard – 2021 Global Cannes Lions Edition celebrating the most popular global video ads for June 1st, 2020, till May 30th, 2021. 

The YouTube Ads Leaderboard showcases the most creative ads that people choose to watch. Ads are determined by an algorithm that factors in organic and paid views, watch time, and audience retention.

The top 10 ads give us a glimpse into what mattered most to consumers worldwide during this challenging time.

These ads represent +635M global views across the whole leaderboard:

Global success: The top five spots belong to ads from Korea, Egypt, India, and the US, with Switzerland following, showing that successful ads are gaining views from all across the globe.

Celebrity charm: This year’s list has some star power with Michael B. Jordan in Amazon’s Alexa hit, Robert DeNiro seeking drama in My Switzerland with Roger Federer, BTS loving Mother Earth with Hyundai Motor Company, and Nike showing off the athletic superpowers of Serena Williams, Lebron James, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Travel is back: As consumers look ahead towards the post-pandemic world, travel is top of mind with Imagine Your Korea and My Switzerland.

Techie tech: Amazon, Oppo, and Apple put their products front and center, and consumers sought these brands out during times of uncertainty.

Cannes YouTube Ads Leaderboard list from June 1st, 2020 until May 30th, 2021:

Hyundai x BTS | For the Earth 60 sec

Brand: Hyundai Motor Company

Media Agency: Innocean Worldwide

Creative Agency: Innocean Worldwide

Orange – Ramadan 2020

Brand: Orange Egypt

Media Agency: UM – IPG

Creative Agency: Leo Burnett

Amazon’s Big Game Commercial: Alexa’s Body

Brand: Amazon

Media Agency: Rufus Global

Creative Agency: Lucky Generals

OPPO F17 Pro – Diwali Edition | #BeTheLight To Spread The Light

Brand: OPPO India

Media Agency: HYHK

Creative Agency: CCLAB

You Can’t Stop Us | Nike

Brand: Nike

Media Agency: Within

Creative Agency: Wieden + Kennedy

LOST & CROWNED | A Clash Short Film

Media Agency: In-house

Creative Agency: Psyop (Animation Partner)

No Drama.

Brand: My Switzerland

Media Agency: SirMary

Creative Agency: Wirz

Feel the Rhythm of KOREA: JEONJU

Brand: Imagine Your Korea

Media Agency: Incross

Creative Agency: Korea Press Foundation; HS Ad

Introducing Apple Watch Series 6 – It Already Does That

Brand: Apple India

Media Agency: —

Creative Agency: —

#VilsHere — Launch Ad

Brand: Vodafone Idea (Vi)

Media Agency: Wavemaker India

Creative Agency: Ogilvy India