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Top 100 Commercial Trends in 2016

From Criminal Car Rental Ads to Parody Pop Ads

— January 28, 2017 — Pop Culture
These 2016 commercial trends are widely diverse, with brands, organizations and more using alternative methods to get their message out to consumers.

For its 'Random Acts of Bo' campaign, American fast food chain Bojangles created a pop-up in a laundromat where it featured an array of personified food. The brand set up a hidden camera to record the hilarious reactions that ensued.

Kylie Jenner also took the time to film a music video to promote her latest glosses as well, in which she staged a heist and drove around with her friends in a convertible.

Other campaigns featured in these 2016 commercial trends include Jonah Hill's painfully awkward sneaker ad for Reebok and Palace, Burger King's nostalgic Napoleon Dynamite-inspired cheesy tots promotion and much more.

Any of those who are interested in finding out what other methods brands are using to promote their products are sure to find Trend Hunter's Future Festival enlightening.
3.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
98
Cult Comedy-Referencing Ads
Cult Comedy-Referencing Ads
Burger King's 'Cheesy Tots' Ad References Napoleon Dynamite
<
97
Smart Speaker Ads
Smart Speaker Ads
The Amazon Super Bowl Commercial Reveals the Capabilities of 'Echo'
<
96
Animal Choir Commercials
Animal Choir Commercials
This Super Bowl Ad Pairs the Honda Ridgeline with Singing Sheep
<
95
Single Women Campaigns
Single Women Campaigns
Skincare Brand SK-ll Brings to Light a Unique Struggle for Chinese Women
<
94
Awkward Sneaker Commercials
Awkward Sneaker Commercials
Jonah Hill Pretends to Be an Awful Spokesperson in a Reebok Commercial
<
93
Mature Drinking Ads
Mature Drinking Ads
This Budweiser Super Bowl Commercial Features Helen Mirren
<
92
Solar-Powered Christmas Displays
Solar-Powered Christmas Displays
This Luminous Display Makes the Case for Using Solar Energy
<
91
Adventurous Vegan Perfume Ads
Adventurous Vegan Perfume Ads
The Stella McCartney POP Scent is Promoted in This Short Film
<
90
Criminal Car Rental Ads
Criminal Car Rental Ads
This Commercial Features Prisoners Escaping with a Rented Car
<
89
Confessional Canine Campaigns
Confessional Canine Campaigns
Schmackos' 'Canine Confessions' Hears from Different Breeds
<
88
Improvised Football Ads
Improvised Football Ads
Squarespace's Creative Super Bowl 50 Campaign Stars Key and Peele
<
87
Celeb Gloss Music Videos
Celeb Gloss Music Videos
Kylie Jenner Premiered a Music Video to Announce Her New Nude Lip Glosses
<
86
Smartphone Parking Lot Ads
Smartphone Parking Lot Ads
This Mobile Parking Map Encourages Co-Workers to Share a KitKat
<
85
Offbeat Fragrance Commercials
Offbeat Fragrance Commercials
This Spike Jonze-Directed KENZO World Ad Defies Stereotypes
<
84
Hair-Loving Campaigns
Hair-Loving Campaigns
Dove's Hair Campaign Shows Women to Love their Personal Style and Beauty
<
83
Sci-Fi TV Commercials
Sci-Fi TV Commercials
This LG Ad for the Super Bowl Stars Liam Neeson and Producer Ridley Scott
<
82
Empowering Yoga Commercials
Empowering Yoga Commercials
Penningtons' Plus-Size Yoga Video Shuts Down Stereotypes
<
81
Wacky Tourism Ads
Wacky Tourism Ads
'Odnarotoop' Advertises Portland for Japanese Tourists
<
80
Instagram-Inspired TV Ads
Instagram-Inspired TV Ads
This TV Advertisement from Menlook is Constructed of Instagram Photos
<
79
Imperfect Athlete Commercials
Imperfect Athlete Commercials
Ronda Rousey is the Star of the #NeverPerfect Reebok Campaign
<
78
Scanning App Commercials
Scanning App Commercials
This Commercial Was Created for a Scanning App Targeted at Students
<
77
Theatrical Flavor Commericals
Theatrical Flavor Commericals
These Texas Pete Ads Show the Power of the Flavor Its Products Offer
<
76
Hairy Pollution PSAs
Hairy Pollution PSAs
This Ad by 'WildAid China' Conveys the Dangers of China's Air Polluttion
<
75
Empowering Feminist Campaigns
Empowering Feminist Campaigns
Dove's New Campaign Focuses on Something Other Than Beauty
<
74
Political Beer Ads
Political Beer Ads
Seth Rogen and Amy Schumer Star in the Bud Light Super Bowl Commercial
<
73
Nostalgic Fast Food Infomercials
Nostalgic Fast Food Infomercials
A & W Restaurants Advertised Its Root Beer Mugs with a Retro Ad
<
72
Familial Adventure Travel Agencies
Familial Adventure Travel Agencies
Green Frog Adventures is Perfect Planning for Active Families
<
71
Creature Hybrid Commercials
Creature Hybrid Commercials
Mountain Dew's Super Bowl Commercial Stars a 'Puppymonkeybaby'
<
70
Promoted Social Media Videos
Promoted Social Media Videos
Pinterest is Rolling out a 'Promoted Videos' Feature for Advertisers
<
69
Infantile Olympics Ads
Infantile Olympics Ads
Nike's Commercial Shows the World's Most Celebrated Athletes as Babies
<
68
Empowering Automotive Ads
Empowering Automotive Ads
The MINI USA 'Defy Labels' Super Bowl 50 Ad Stars Six Celebrities
<
67
Poetic Multicultural Smartphone Ads
Poetic Multicultural Smartphone Ads
This iPhone Commercial Features the Voice of Maya Angelou
<
66
Universal Marketing Parody Ads
Universal Marketing Parody Ads
An Agency Has Created a "Super-Ad" That Can Apply to Any Product
<
65
Enchanting Automobile Ads
Enchanting Automobile Ads
The New Lexus RX Car Commercial Marries Cultural Stories with Vehicles
<
64
Communicative Dog Doormats
Communicative Dog Doormats
The 'miss-U-mat' of Reminds Owners of Lonely Pets Waiting by the Door
<
63
Celebrity-Infused Social Activism
Celebrity-Infused Social Activism
We Are the Movement Enlists Stars to Speak On Racial Injustice
<
62
Online Positivity Campaigns
Online Positivity Campaigns
'Fueling Possibilities' Gives Free Gas for Positive Social Media
<
61
Influential Female Ad Campaigns
Influential Female Ad Campaigns
Georg Jensen's Latest Campaign Features Various Strong Women
<
60
Quirky ePayment Commercials
Quirky ePayment Commercials
Klarna's Offbeat Ads Communicate How Smooth Payments Can Be
<
59
Realistic Morning Routine Ads
Realistic Morning Routine Ads
This Organic Valley Ad Shows What Women's Mornings are Really Like
<
58
Astronomical Car Commercials
Astronomical Car Commercials
The Audi R8 Super Bowl Commercial is Set to David Bowie's 'Starman'
<
57
Unexpected Party Campaigns
Unexpected Party Campaigns
This Coca-Cola Ad Teleports Londoners to Ushuaïa’s Party in Ibiza
<
56
High-Speed Product Promotions
High-Speed Product Promotions
These Clips Break Down Oreo Recipes for the Brand's Stranger Flavors
<
55
Pleasure-Focused Chocolate Commercials
Pleasure-Focused Chocolate Commercials
This Dove Chocolate Ad Follows a Woman Living for Pleasure
<
54
Athletic Beer Commercials
Athletic Beer Commercials
The Michelob Ultra Super Bowl Commercial Appeals to Athletes
<
53
Emotional Sunglasses Ads
Emotional Sunglasses Ads
This Ray-Ban Ad Helps Shape the Brand's Identity
<
52
Uplifting Sportswear Ads
Uplifting Sportswear Ads
Sport Chek's Newest Workout Commercial Connects with Female Yogis
<
51
Social Media Health Campaigns
Social Media Health Campaigns
This Facebook Campaign Spreads Awareness About the Zika Virus
<
50
Illiteracy-Combating Campaigns
Illiteracy-Combating Campaigns
This UK-Based Campaign Aims to Promote Literacy Across the Globe
<
49
Anime Parody Promotions
Anime Parody Promotions
A New Simpsons Parody Shows Homer Playing Pokémon Go at the Zoo
<
48
Multicultural Beauty Campaigns
Multicultural Beauty Campaigns
The #BornandMade Campaign Encourages Women to Share Their Stories
<
47
Disability Awareness Ads
Disability Awareness Ads
This Accessible Campaign Will Be Shown During the Paralympic Games
<
46
Viral Cat Commercials
Viral Cat Commercials
This German Commercial Follows Grocery Shopping Cats with a Meowing Song
<
45
Spontaneous Soda Ads
Spontaneous Soda Ads
Coca-Cola's Ad With Jordan Spieth Takes a Creative Turn
<
44
Millennial-Targeted Popcorn Ads
Millennial-Targeted Popcorn Ads
This Smartfood Campaign is the First Major Effort from the Brand
<
43
Unconventional Beauty Ads
Unconventional Beauty Ads
This Dove Commercial Follows the Story of an Androgynous Model
<
42
Multicultural Retail Commercials
Multicultural Retail Commercials
Target's 'Lúcete A Tu' Manera Campaign Targets Hispanic Consumers
<
41
Athletic Female Empowerment Ads
Athletic Female Empowerment Ads
Nike's New Ad Features an All-Female Cast of Indian Athletes
<
40
Telenovela Spicy Snack Campaigns
Telenovela Spicy Snack Campaigns
'Botanas Del Cielo' is a Telenovela-Inspired Four-Part Series
<
39
Celebratory Spanish Language Commercials
Celebratory Spanish Language Commercials
This Commercial Features Untranslatable Spanish Phrases
<
38
Twerking Drink Mixing Ads
Twerking Drink Mixing Ads
Semtex's 'Twerk Shaker' Commercial Revolutionizes How Drinks are Made
<
37
Natural Movement Sport Ads
Natural Movement Sport Ads
The Nike Revolution in Motion Campaign Stars Serena Williams and More
<
36
Raccoon Cooking Tutorials
Raccoon Cooking Tutorials
Geico's 'Raccookin' Ads Feature Raccoons Parodying Food Tutorials
<
35
Self-Expressive Decor Ads
Self-Expressive Decor Ads
Wayfair's 'You Make the Rules' Ad Celebrates Creativity
<
34
Familial Condiment Ads
Familial Condiment Ads
Heinz' Super Bowl Ad Stars a Condiment Family and a Stampede of Weiner Dogs
<
33
Identity-Celebrating Ads
Identity-Celebrating Ads
This Clairol Hair Color Ad Stars Transgender Model Tracey Norman
<
32
Retro Automobile Ad Collections
Retro Automobile Ad Collections
'Automobile Design Graphics' Gathers Artful 20th Century Brochures
<
31
Satirical Fast Fashion Commercials
Satirical Fast Fashion Commercials
This Old Navy Campaign Teaches Moms About Cool Clothes
<
30
Anti-Abuse Beer Ads
Anti-Abuse Beer Ads
'Cerveza Tecate' Defines Men By How They Treat Women in This Commercial
<
29
Male-Targeted Insurance Ads
Male-Targeted Insurance Ads
This Geico Insurance Ad Uses 'Brocabulary' to Speak to Bros
<
28
Romantic Cat Food Ads
Romantic Cat Food Ads
This Sheba Cat Food Commercial Shows Just How Devoted Its Pet Owners Are
<
27
Telenovela-Inspired Baseball Commercials
Telenovela-Inspired Baseball Commercials
The 'Mi Amor Dos' MLB Giants Ad is Passionately Fun
<
26
Realistic Parenting Campaigns
Realistic Parenting Campaigns
The Parenting Unfiltered Ad Shows the Difficulties of Raising Kids
<
25
Youth-Focused Furniture Ads
Youth-Focused Furniture Ads
This RH Teen Commercial Promotes the Brand's Newest Product Range
<
24
Parent-Centered Cannabis Ads
Parent-Centered Cannabis Ads
The CDPHE Tells Parents to Educate Their Kids on Safe Marijuana Use
<
23
Cultural First Job Ads
Cultural First Job Ads
The McDonald's 'First Customer' Fast Food Commercial is Hispanic-Focused
<
22
Cheeky Tourism Campaigns
Cheeky Tourism Campaigns
Bowen Island Urges People to "Tell Your Friends It's Awful Here"
<
21
Humorous Six-Second Commercials
Humorous Six-Second Commercials
These Six-Second Ads for Trident Feature Popular Vine Stars
<
20
Mysterious Restaurant Campaigns
Mysterious Restaurant Campaigns
The Latest Taco Bell Campaign Teases a New Product Launch
<
19
Suave Diver Mobile Ads
Suave Diver Mobile Ads
This iPhone 7 Commercial Highlights Some of Its Most Innovative Features
<
18
Personified Food Pop-Ups
Personified Food Pop-Ups
This Human Fast Food Vending Machine Surprises People at a Laundromat
<
17
Future Olympian Ads
Future Olympian Ads
This 'Fatherly' Ad Shows Kids with Incredible Talent and Supportive Parents
<
16
Provocative Body Positivity Ads
Provocative Body Positivity Ads
The Newest 'Addition Elle' Campaign Stars Famed Plus-Size Models
<
15
Mysterious Home Furniture Ads
Mysterious Home Furniture Ads
The Commercials for IKEA's Sinnerlig Collection Strays from The Norm
<
14
Sentimental Furniture Campaigns
Sentimental Furniture Campaigns
This Pottery Barn Furniture Ad Promotes Quality Family Time
<
13
Family-Focused Furniture Ads
Family-Focused Furniture Ads
The New Leon's Ads Emphasize the Role of Furniture in People's Lives
<
12
Unified Soda Campaigns
Unified Soda Campaigns
Coca-Cola's 'Taste the Feeling' is the Brand's New Global Campaign
<
11
Reminiscent Candy Campaigns
Reminiscent Candy Campaigns
Zedd and Aloe Blacc Team Up to Celebrate The M&Ms 75th Anniversary
<
10
Cool Mom Ad Campaigns
Cool Mom Ad Campaigns
These Commercials Aim to Negate Stereotypes of At-Home Moms
<
9
Comical Masculine Scent Ads
Comical Masculine Scent Ads
These Old Spice Commercials Show Men Claiming Power Through Scent
<
8
Controversial Beauty Commercials
Controversial Beauty Commercials
Seoul Secret's Snowz Gluta Ad Tastelessly Promotes Skin-Whitening
<
7
Parody Pop Ads
Parody Pop Ads
In Reference to a Cindy Crawford Pepsi Ad, 'SumOfUs' Reveals the Brand's Eco Damage
<
6
Internet-Obsessed Clothing Ads
Internet-Obsessed Clothing Ads
This 'Diesel' Line is Promoted with Bizarre Social Media References
<
5
Subversive Fast Fashion Ads
Subversive Fast Fashion Ads
The New H&M Ad Shows a Less Constricted Representation of Femininity
<
4
Satirical Airline Ads
Satirical Airline Ads
Royal Jordanian's Quirky Ad References Trump's Anti-Immigration Claims
<
3
Pattern-Enriched Furniture Ads
Pattern-Enriched Furniture Ads
Target's 'All Squared Away' Commercial Highlights Plaid Home Decor
<
2
Multi-Tasking Driving Ads
Multi-Tasking Driving Ads
This Holiday Autos Ad Features Five Inventions for Travelers
<
1
Satirical Award Show Campaigns
Satirical Award Show Campaigns
This SatirAd Points Out The Narcissistic Nature of Award Ceremonies
<