In case you aren’t aware, the Olympic Games officially kick off bright and early tomorrow morning in Rio de Janeiro. But the athletes competing haven’t been the only ones putting in the hard yards in the build-up to this year’s event.
Adland has been in overdrive over the past few months, with the world’s biggest brands trying cash in on the world’s most followed sporting event.
Unruly, a video ad tech company owned by News Corp, has been keeping track of the most shared Olympic-themed video ads across Facebook and YouTube sine 3 August.
The Rio Paralympics 2016 trailer by the UK’s Channel 4 titled “We’re The Superhumans” is the clear leader with a total of 1,256,567 shares at last count, with Under Armour’s “Rule Yourself” commercial featuring Olympics veteran Michael Phelps the next best, garnering 308,000 shares so far.
Unruly vice president of marketing and insight Devra Prywes said the number one driver in getting videos shared is to make an incredibly strong emotional connection with viewers, according to Business Insider.
“When it comes to the Olympics, advertisers are topping the most shared chart by leveraging happiness, inspiration, warmth and pride — and hitting these emotions with intensity!” she said.
Here are the top 10 Olympic ads, according to Unruly:
i. ‘We’re the Superhumans’ | Rio Paralympics 2016 Trailer, Channel 4 (1,256,567 shares)
ii. ‘Rule Yourself’ | Michael Phelps, Under Armour (308,000 shares)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh9jAD1ofm4
iii. ‘Rule Yourself’ | USA Women’s Gymnastics, Under Armour (186,865 shares)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDM1FPFxbVk
iv. ‘Thank You, Mum’ | Strong, P&G (180,725 shares)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ3k6BFX2uw
v. Rio 2016 Olympic Games Trailer, BBC Sport (79,295 shares)
vi. ‘One Journey. Two Teams’ | Team USA Commercial, United (72,355 shares)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9lXgzEFkuo
vii. ‘Unlimited Serena Williams’, Nike (65,668 shares)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5G3No4Kwfo
viii. ‘The Boy Who Learned to Fly’ | Usain Bolt, Gatorade (63,803 shares)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b03jWW70kc
ix. ‘Perfect Isn’t Pretty’, Gillette (41,353 shares)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRXfevLDZBc
x. ‘Unlimited Future’, Nike (40,037 shares)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivqhMxjV7j8
