For most people, 2020 was characterized by a series of tragic events that forced us to reset, adapt and pick ourselves back up. We waited and listened, thanking our healthcare heroes, delivery workers, teachers, and that new virtual fitness coach to name a few. 

Somewhere along the way, brands decided to inspire and gave us hope for a brighter day. The conversation shifted from sadness and loss to motivation and positivity. Traditionally, the Most Viewed Video Ads arrive monthly to your inbox. This time around, we wanted to compile the full list of Most Viewed Video Ads in North America from the year 2020.

Keep scrolling for the top 10 list of the Most Viewed Video Ads in North America this year, a list that has garnered a collective 1.1 billion views on the internet, and to learn what the top brands of 2020 taught us.

1. Connect at an emotional level

Several brands on the list such as Nike, Facebook and Godaddy tugged fiercely at our heartstrings by providing uplifting messages. Not surprisingly, these messages were centered around the coronavirus pandemic, a theme we likely will be seeing more of in 2021.

These ads looked to the past for inspiration, including Nike’s sports comeback stories, GoDaddy’s historical entrepreneurs highlights, and the tear-jerking Facebook Mother’s Day campaign, narrated by a woman born during the 1917 influenza pandemic. Let’s take a look at the top video of 2020:

Nike

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-t8qPldklc[/embedyt]

2. Showcase breakthrough tech

What we really needed this year has been distractions! And nothing helps to get our mind off the pandemic more than good tech. Amazon, Onewheel and Jeep showcase how our purchases can make our lives more interesting, relevant and engaging than ever before with some help from good technology. Here’s Amazon’s spot that stole viewers attention this year by giving us an idea of what life was like before Alexa: 

Amazon

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rhq3GLxAmY[/embedyt]

3. Reveal a hidden truth

Honorable mention goes to Dr. Squatch Soap Company, an underdog on a list of mostly huge, international brands. Their nearly five-minute long video ad is cut from the same cloth as many other upstart brands that made a name for themselves with viral videos online. Poo~Pourri, Purple mattress, and Dollar Shave Club come to mind. This video ad kicks off revealing to viewers that most of the body washes they rub on their skin are classified as synthetic detergents, not even real soap. Going on to encourage viewers to stop using products that are damaging to their well being, body and sperm count. 

Dr. Squatch Soap Company

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1TtIt5tdP8[/embedyt]

Here’s a look at the full list of top video ads that took up your attention this year.

The Top 10 Most Viewed Video Ads of 2020:

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