With 2016 coming to a close, people everywhere have begun to enter into a time of reflection. Reflecting on the past year and on the next year to come. Taking time reflecting on what they did well, and things that they would like to do differently in the future. This time of year also gives us the opportunities to look back at the commercials we saw on a daily basis. The ones that made us laugh until our cheeks hurt, the ones that inspired changed, and yes, even the commercials that made us wipe away a tear. Here's a look back at some of the top commercials of 2016.
1. "The Contenders" - Dick's Sporting Goods
2016 saw the 31st Summer Olympic Games held in Rio de Janeiro. The Olympics gives the world an opportunity to set aside conflict, strife, and domestic issues to watch athletes from across the globe compete in the spotlight. In the United States, people look up to athletes as models of inspiration and hard work as they bring out the true patriot in us as we watch the Games.
2. "Marilyn" - Snickers
Snickers never seems to fail to release a hilarious commercial during the Super Bowl, and this year was no exception. In this commercial, Snickers continued with their "you're not you when you're hungry" slogan featuring Willem Dafoe in a remake of this classic scene.
3. "Puppymonkeybaby" - Mountain Dew
This creepy, yet funny (?) commercial also aired during the Super Bowl. Although this ad made us all just slightly uncomfortable, it no doubt worked wonders for Mountain Dew as it stood out as one of the most memorable commercial of Super Bowl 50.
4. "Rock, Paper, Scissors" - Android
Opposites do attract in this heartwarming commercial from Android. An unlikely friendship develops between these characters when they help each other stand-up to bullies. Android sends a message of inclusion and acceptance in their memorable ad.
5. "Old Friends" - Amazon
This late 2016 commercial from Amazon once again sends a positive message that differences don't always have to divide us. Don't let a society divided by race, religion, political views divide the relationships with others. And hey, even buy those people a gift from Amazon once in a while.
6. "Laughing Horses" - Volkswagen
Although this commercial never aired in the US, it's still enough to send you into uncontrollable laughter. From a person who firmly believes that laughter is contagious, you're not going to want to miss this commercial.
7. "Commander" - Audi
Yet another commercial from Super Bowl 50 that put a smile on the faces of several viewers. While advertising their new R8, Audi added the saying "Choosing the moon brings out the best in us," and indeed it does.
8. "Evan" - Sandy Hook Promise
This commercial may not be deemed worthy of the "best" of 2016, it certainly takes the crown as most powerful and influential. "Evan" was released in early December and, if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend doing so. It is imperative for our nation to take the right steps in stopping gun violence before it occurs, and hopefully this commercial will help us all realize that often times, gun violence is preventable.
