YouTube asks users to vote for the best ads from the last decade

As part of its 10th year celebration, YouTube has launched a contest asking viewers to vote for the best among the 20 shortlisted ads from the last 10 years. The contest is open for a week.

10 years is a long time and it certainly calls for celebration. Google Inc has decided to celebrate the 10th anniversary of YouTube in a fun and engaging way. Instead of compiling cute cat and funny fail videos, YouTube has asked viewers to vote for the best ad from the last decade.

While it started a few days back, viewers have one more week to look at the popular videos and choose their favourite. Of the millions of videos already on the site, 20 have been shortlisted for the voting process. Some of these include 'Always' 'Like a Girl' (P&G), 'Dear Kitten' (Buzzfeed and Purina Friskies), 'The man your man could smell like' (Old Spice), 'The selfie shootout feat. Kobe and Messi' (Turkish Airlines) and 'Real Beauty Sketches' (Dove).

Working with the Webby Awards, YouTube used data from its top Leaderboard ads during the past ten years to select finalists. The voting, which started on May 18, will be open till May 28, while the final winners will be announced on June 3.

Most of these videos had gone viral upon release on the site. Incidentally, none are from India – but to be fair, they have all been viewed and talked about just as much in the country. For example, the T-Mobile Dance gave rise to the trend of flash mobs in India, which were later used by groups and brands alike. The 'First Kiss' video had spoofs and remakes across the world. And Dove's 'Real Beauty' led to a discussion about self perception.

What is remarkable is that in 2014, four out of the top 10 viewed videos on YouTube were ads. Makes one think about the medium quite seriously, doesn't it? Ironic because it seems brands took a long time to warm up to the idea of sharing videos online, or reaching out to the consumers through the digital medium. This can be understood from the fact that while YouTube has been there for a decade now, the oldest nominated video – one from Levi Strauss – is from 2008.

To see the full list of shortlists and to cast your vote click here: https://www.10yearsofyoutubeads.com/