The Best Ads of 2020 Were Made By Small Teams You’ve Never Heard Of

2020 has been a difficult year for many people working in advertising. Hundreds of thousands of people had to learn to work remotely, practically overnight. Many agencies lost accounts and consequently, many people lost their jobs.

Yet, even with these stiffest of headwinds, the industry’s best creative outputs are as good as anything I’ve seen in years.

Inside the industry, when we see something we admire, we say, “I wish that was on my reel.” That’s what these ten commercials provide…a moment for all of us to pause and say, damn, this is great work.

1. National Congress of American Indians by Agency MABU

2. Ramen Hero by Iyashi brand studio

3. New Zealand by SPECIAL

4. Chicken Licken by Joe Public United

5. Burger King by WE BELIEVERS

6. Kaiser Permanente by Translation

7. Cooper Tires by Fallon

8. Chrysler Pacifica by Doner

9. Absolut by BBH Singapore

10. The Glenlivet by CPB London

One thing that is clear in this Adpulp-made “Best of 2020” grouping is that small agencies are making big statements and big moves. Fallon, Doner, BBH, and CPB made the Top 10, but that is no surprise.

Meanwhile, advertising craftspersons who do not get written up in the trades every week continue to turn in the best work.