Watch the 5 most-awarded ads of 2021
The Drum’s World Creative Rankings report is a one-of-a-kind list celebrating the most-awarded global brands, agencies and individuals that have pushed creative boundaries in the last 12 months.
The top 5 most-awarded campaigns of last 12 months
Today we’re revealing the 200 best campaigns from the past year according to our expert researchers. To coincide with this extensive list, we take a closer look at the top 5 spots, assessing what made them first-class.
5. Reporters Without Borders: The Uncensored Library by DDB Germany Berlin
Taking fifth place is ’The Uncensored Library’, which opened its virtual doors on World Day Against Cyber Censorship and provided access to independent information around the world through the popular game Minecraft.
Many forbidden articles were republished in books within the game, giving readers the chance to inform themselves about various political situations and learn the importance of press freedom.
4. Mastercard: True Name by McCann New York
Fourth on our most-awarded campaigns list is ’True Name’ by Mastercard, which addressed the challenges of misrepresentation faced by transgender and non-binary people.
The campaign focused on the anxiety transgender people face every day through fear of being judged or disrespected.
In the ad, Mastercard positioned itself as an ally to the community and pledged its commitment to being a driver of equality and inclusion.
3. WWF: Eurythenes Plasticus by BBDO Berlin
To make a statement about the huge issue of plastic pollution in the Earth’s oceans, a group of researchers from Newcastle University and the WWF named a newly found amphipod after the plastic it has ingested.
’Eurythenes Plasticus’ ranks third in our list and helped spark a global conversation about the rising problem of marine plastic pollution, which resulted in a call for a legally binding UN agreement on the matter.
2. Burger King: Moldy Whopper by David Miami/Ingo Stockholm/Publicis Bucharest
I guess it’s true what they say about mold, it really does stick around. Coming in second on our list is Burger King’s Moldy Whopper, which is still getting the industry talking – and winning awards – two years since its release.
The bold ad was designed to highlight the chain’s decision to remove artificial preservatives from its flagship burger and play on viral stories about rival fast-food chains.
Creatively, the video walked the talk on zero preservatives and elevated the brand’s disruptive personality.
1. Royal Australian Mint: Donation Dollar by Saatchi & Saatchi Australia
Drum roll please... In the coveted top spot, the most-awarded campaign of the past 12 months was ’Donation Dollar’, the small coin that aimed to make a huge difference.
Back in late 2020, the Australian government officially began circulating a new coin with the value of $1. Although the new tender could be spent as normal, Aussies were encouraged to donate it to their fellow citizens who needed it more.
Over the coming 30 years, the government plans to mint one for every single Australian in the hope that people will be reminded that a small act of generosity can have a big impact.