The 15 Best Ads in the World in 2011

Each year, the advertising world's mad men and women descend on Cannes for a week-long jaunt on the Riviera. Aside from likely providing the world with more instances of cocaine use by aged executive creative directors than any other event in the world, the Cannes Lions Advertising Festival showcases the world's best commercial creativity across a variety of mediums, including TV, print, outdoor, PR and online.

The proliferation of new media channels and the growth of social media has made an already cluttered marketing world a dangerous place to be for cowardly chief marketing officers and the brands they steward. Last year, Old Spice made headlines for their ability to engage consumers in a campaign that repositioned a tired brand in one fell swoop via innovative use of social media. But what lay at the heart of the campaign was its ability to make an emotional connection with audiences through humour. Ads, after all, are a like people: the ones you love and hate are the same ones you remember.

This year's best 15 ads were decided over the weekend, with the Grand Prix being awarded to the 'Write The Future' campaign launched by Nike during last year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Here they are, ordered according to how they impressed us here at Concrete Playground HQ.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=R55e-uHQna0

1. 'Force' by Volkswagen
Agency: Deutsch Los Angeles

https://youtube.com/watch?v=dBZtHAVvslQ

2. Cannes Grand Prix 2011: 'Write The Future' by Nike
Agency: Wieden + Kennedy Amsterdam

https://youtube.com/watch?v=xdOoJjvr0GM

3. 'Braids' by H2OH! Drink
Agency: BBDO Argentina

https://youtube.com/watch?v=CoxCF1xZ7Pk

4. 'After Hours Athlete' by Puma
Agency: Droga5 New York

5. 'Premature Perspiration' by Axe
Agency: Ponce Buenos Aires

https://youtube.com/watch?v=TLgetLmlggA

6. 'The Entrance' by Heineken
Agency: Wieden + Kennedy Amsterdam

7. 'Shoelace' by Otrivin Nasal Spray
Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi Geneva

8. 'Slo Mo' by Carlton Draught
Agency: Clemenger BBDO Melbourne

9. 'See The Person' by Scope
Agency: Leo Burnett Melbourne

10. 'Born Of Fire' by Chrysler
Agency: Wieden + Kennedy Portland

11. 'Office' by Mexican Insurance Institution Association
Agency: Ogilvy Mexico

12. 'Chrome Speed Tests' by Google
Agency: Google Creative Lab New York

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Oech5Rpom2g

13. 'Cage Cop' by Skittles
Agency: BBDO Canada

14. 'Dead Island Trailer' by Deep Silver
Agency: Deep Silver

15. 'Demo Slam: Chubby Bunny' by Google
Agency: Google Creative Lab New York

[Via Mumbrella]