Let’s take a look at the Most Viewed Video Ads for the 2021 Holiday Season! While this is a time to come together with loved ones and reflect on the past year, it is also a time that is inextricably linked to shopping. Last year, retail sales for the holiday season were up by 8.3%, beating predictions during a global pandemic. Although there are some growing concerns over a new covid variant, consumers are well-accustomed to shopping online and digital advertising continues to grow as a result, meaning that Santa will find no respite during the 2021 Holiday Season.
Gen Z takes a back seat
From an appearance by Mr. T to a sonic shout-out to the Backstreet Boys, the most viewed video ads for the 2021 Holiday Season withdrew from their Gen Z audiences in favor of appealing to older generations that undoubtedly have more purchasing power. This should come as no surprise since millennials represent the largest adult population in America, with Gen X following closely behind.
The demand for digital
Our 2021 Black Friday and Cyber Monday blog illustrated a tectonic shift toward online shopping—the 2021 Holiday Season should prove no different. However, what may come as a surprise is that some adventurous consumers are choosing digital gifts as well. Digital items like cryptocurrencies or NFTs (vouchers of authenticity for digital assets like images) could see increased interest amid a retail landscape still troubled by supply chain issues. Consumers have already spent nearly 27$ billion on NFTs in 2021 alone, with no evidence to suggest a slowdown.
It is possible that we could see cryptocurrencies or NFTs on our list in the near future, but the jury is still out. For now, let’s look at who did make the cut in our list of the Top 10 Most Viewed Ads for The 2021 Holiday Season.
Top 10 Most Viewed Video Ads for The 2021 Holiday Season
| Brand | Campaign | Release date | Views |
| Dior | The Atelier of Dreams | 15-Nov | 54,757,499 |
| Samsung | Holiday opens up with Galaxy | 12-Nov | 49,543,564 |
| Hobby Lobby | Christmas Is What You Make It | 29-Oct | 32,823,778 |
| Dick’s Sporting Goods | The Table | 03-Nov | 24,058,098 |
| Amazon | Bear Hug Betty | 22-Oct | 21,787,193 |
| JD Sports | WELCOME TO JD STREET | 06-Nov | 20,412,435 |
| HomeGoods | No Place Like HomeGoods for the Holidays | 28-Oct | 16,811,941 |
| Apple | Saving Simon | 24-Nov | 16,410,449 |
| Aaron’s Rent to Own | The Aa-Team—Flatscreen Holiday | 01-Nov | 14,637,905 |
| Frito Lay | It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year | 22-Nov | 10,262,440 |
*Data collected by AcuityAds’ True Reach™ insights platform from October 22 – December 20, 2021
Stand out ads
JD Sports — WELCOME TO JD STREET
This holiday ad from JD Sports, a British sports-fashion retailer, includes an extensive lineup of British celebrities shopping through Oldham Town Centre in England. KSI, Maya Jama, Aitch, Little Simz, Tobi Brown, and Jadon Sancho all make appearances that are sure to draw attention during the 2021 Holiday Season and beyond.
HomeGoods — No Place Like HomeGoods for the Holidays
While this holiday ad by HomeGoods may seem conventional, it features characters from a Youtube-based web series entitled “Home Sweet HomeGoods,” blurring the line between advertisement and entertainment. HomeGoods also released a holiday special for their web series to offer some background context for what goes on in the 30-second spot.
Apple — Saving Simon
While not the first ad to be shot entirely on an iPhone, Apple’s new holiday ad features Oscar-nominated directors Jason & Ivan Reitman. It is a heartwarming story with a little bit of a twist that captures a lot of emotion during its 3-minute runtime.
Key takeaways
- Something for everyone: While 4/10 of the top 10 ads for the 2021 Holiday Season featured children, it is clear that retailers like Samsung and Dior want you to shop for the adults on your list as well—and get a little something for yourself too.
- Warm fuzzies: Last month’s Black Friday ads primarily featured promotions over sentiments, but most of the video ads for this month aim to elicit positive emotions rather than talk about deals.
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About True Reach™ insights platform
Increase total views and time spent on your video campaigns without increasing advertising spend. Our proprietary True Reach™ technology harnesses all publicly available view data to track real-time performance and enable decision-making that optimizes your Share of Attention™.
