YouTube Cannes Ads Leaderboard 2023: Celebrating Creativity and Global Impact

The YouTube Cannes Ads Leaderboard 2023 has unveiled the top 10 most popular video ads from June 2022 to May 2023, showcasing impressive creativity, innovation and global appeal. These ads not only captivated audiences around the world but also emphasized YouTube’s influence as a leading streaming service with an estimated 150 million unique viewers in the United States alone.

Netflix’s “Wednesday” secured its position as the top global video ad on YouTube with an astounding 39 million views. As a platform valued for its authenticity, YouTube has become the go-to place for marketers to connect with their target audience through captivating ads.

Creators have employed a diverse array of trending themes in these video ads, ranging from music (Telecom Egypt, Qatar Airways, Orange Egypt, and Burger King) to authenticity (Peacock, Netflix, HBO Max/The Last of Us) and cross-generational appeal (Bulgari, Peacock). Emotional storytelling remains a powerful tool, as seen in ads from HBO Max, Bulgari, and Qatar Airways.

Let’s dive into the top 10 most popular global video ads and their view numbers, exploring what made them stand out and shine:

1. Netflix: Wednesday Releases Thing In New York – 39 million views
   This ad introduces the unique and eccentric world of the Addams family through their iconic character, Wednesdays Addams. A perfect blend of humor, emotion, and impressive visuals made this a viral hit.

2. Telecom Egypt: WE Summer Campaign 2022 – Akram Hosny – 33 million views
   This energetic and lively ad starring comedian Akram Hosny presented a compelling musical experience, leaving viewers yearning for more.

3. Apple: Introducing iPhone 14 Pro – 26 million views
   Apple’s sleek and futuristic advertisement for the iPhone 14 Pro captivated audiences with impressive visuals and the promise of advanced technology.

4. HBO Max: The Last of Us – 24 million views
   This gritty and intense ad, showcasing authentic storytelling about survival in a post-apocalyptic world, effortlessly resonated with viewers.

5. Qatar Airways: C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S – Official FIFA World Cup Song featuring DJ Rodge and Cheb Khaled – 23 million views
   Celebrating the passion for football and the FIFA World Cup, this catchy anthem scored high with fans worldwide, garnering instant popularity.

6. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Official Introduction Film – 23 million views
   Samsung delivered a visually stunning ad promoting its newest flagship, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, sparking interest and buzz among tech enthusiasts.

7. Orange Egypt: World Cup 2022 Campaign – Crazy About Football – 19 million views
   This high-energy ad showcased the madness and passion surrounding the World Cup, effectively capturing the excitement of fans around the globe.

8. Bulgari: Unexpected Wonders – a movie by Paolo Sorrentino – 9.3 million views
   This luxurious and artistic ad delivered by Bulgari emanated a sense of elegance with its cross-generational appeal and stirring imagery.

9. Peacock: Kevin Hart can’t stop attacking ‘old’ celebrities #shorts – 9.1 million views
   Kevin Hart’s hilarious antics and candid humor in this ad helped to connect with a broad range of viewers and successfully raised awareness for Peacock.

10. Burger King: Whopper Whopper (Extended) – 9.3 million views
    Burger King’s ad featured an unforgettable musical performance that celebrated their iconic Whopper, delighting fans and garnering wide attention.

The success of these top-ranking video ads underlines the importance of crafting compelling, engaging, and shareable content to resonate with audiences. As YouTube continues to thrive as a massive global platform, advertisers must harness the power of creativity and innovation to capture viewer attention and strengthen their brand’s presence.