And the best ad of 2018 is...

We asked a few creative heads to name their favourite ads of the year - one made by them, one by another agency and one non-Indian advert. Take a look at the mix.

The ads are listed in the format - one made by the creative persons themselves, one by another Indian agency and one non-Indian advert.

Kainaz Karmakar, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy India (West)

Kainaz Karmakar

From the work that we have created, the one that I am most proud of, is the water conservation film that my partner Harshad and I just completed for Hindustan Unilever. It’s called ‘The Shower.’ The film is already creating a conversation and we hope it will nudge the conscience of our society just enough to act on it.

Brand: Hindustan Unilever (HUL)

Agency: Ogilvy Mumbai.

‘The Shower’ ad for Hindustan Unilever by Ogilvy Mumbai

This in my opinion has been one of the finest filmmaking that Indian advertising has seen. Even though the story is narrated in a lateral fashion, the visual drama, the haunting voice and the music hold you to the screen. I consumed the poetry through the subtitles but I can only imagine the impact it had on those who heard it in its original language. Above all of this, it made me feel for the river and I wanted to know more.

Brand: Reforest India

Agency: Early Man Films

'The Story of Kaveri' for Reforest India by Early Man Films

This film blew my mind away. It has the power and the punch that all good short stories have. When you are watching the story, you are in the story. You want the father to drive the car faster. You are hoping they make it. In that minute and a half you go through all the emotions that the characters are feeling. The way the story, the cinema and the message come together, it deserves every award it has won and a hug from me.

Brand: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

Agency: Sra. Rushmore, Spain

'The Hope' ad film for International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) by Sra. Rushmore

Sudesh Samaria, CCO and co-founder, Dentsu Webchutney

Sudesh Samaria

#GenE or #GenerationEqual campaign for Flipkart was a movement started towards raising children in a gender-equal manner. The campaign took on gender stereotypes.

Brand: Flipkart

Agency: Dentsu Webchutney

#GenE or #GenerationEqual campaign for Flipkart by Dentsu Webchutney

"'Blink to Speak' by TBWA has been a winner at creative festivals across the globe, and India's first Titanium Lion. A simple idea brought alive in a way that makes a fantastic use case for it."

Brand: Asha Ek Hope Foundation

Agency- TBWA

Blink to speak: Asha Ek Hope Foundation and NeuroGen Brain & Spine Institute by TBWA India

"It's a big brand acknowledging and doing something about the relationship pet owners share with their pets. A simple idea with the product at the core of it, giving the user one more reason to order from BK."

Brand: Buger King

Agency: La Despensa

Burger King's Dogpper commercial by agency La Despensa

Rajdeepak Das, chief creative officer, Leo Burnett India

Rajdeepak Das

The ad portrays the story of Appu - a child's wish for education.

Brand: P&G Shiksha

Agency: Leo Burnett India

P&G Shiksha #ChooseForChange - Leo Burnett India

"What I like about the ad was the brand took a stand and the ad copy was nicely written too. The brand not only took a risk but also owned its segment of luggage and travel with the ad."

Brand: Samsonite

Agency: Autumn Worldwide

Samsonite's #KeralaIsOpen ad film

"It's less of an ad and more of a wake up call. It wakes you up and shows you the human truth."

Brand: Pernod Ricard Ruavieja

Agency: Leo Burnett Madrid

Pernod Ricard's Ruavieja Commercial 2018 by Leo Burnett Madrid

ALSO READ: The Top 10 Most Watched Indian Ads on YouTube in June 2018

Manish Bhatt, founder director, Scarecrow Communications

Manish Bhatt

"We are in the 'kalyug' of technology. That's why our granny in the film is ready to serve us an Indian home remedy that's more than a century old - a cup of hot Wagh Bakri tea to cure our 'cold' and 'crisp' relationships," Bhatt says about the ad."

Brand: Wagh Bakri Tea

Agency: Scarecrow M&C Saatchi

Rishton Ka Hi Fever campaign for Wagh Bakri Tea by Scarecrow M&C Saatchi

"I think it is simple yet quirky. Reminds me our work on quikr. I noticed it when I watched it on TV. To the point & irreverent. Best thing is unpretentious and unpredictable."

Brand: Swiggy

Agency: Lowe Lintas

A recent Swiggy spot created by Lowe Lintas

"I love this ad, because it shows artistic way how the product will change your world. Love the unpredictability and visual metaphor and treatment."

Brand: Apple Homepod

Agency: TBWAMedia Arts Lab

A video tilted "Welcome Home" for Apple Homepod by TBWAMedia Arts Lab

Rahul Jauhari, joint president and chief creative officer , Rediffusion Group

Rahul Jauhari

"My personal favourite is the campaign we did for Parle 20-20. A set of films that elevated the conversation from a cookie to progressive thinking.These were light hearted but made a big point. Of the lot, the Biriyani, Landlord or engagement ones are my favorites."

Brand: Parle

Agency: Rediffusion Group

The Couple and Landlord ad for Parle 20-20 by Rediffusion Group

"The ads are short, sweet, precise and I personally believe they have done well for the brand. There is no single film, the entire lot over the year are on brand and work."

Brand: Swiggy

Agency: Lowe Lintas

The video tilted 'Not Without Us' for Swiggy by Lowe Lintas

"Nike went with Colin Kaepernick saying, 'Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.' It takes a brand real courage to put something like that out there and stand firm in the face of criticism and shoe burning. It works because it is Nike and consistent with everything the brand has done and said over the years."

Brand: Nike

Agency: Wieden+Kennedy

Dream Crazy campaign for Nike by Wieden+Kennedy