Most watched Indian ads on YouTube in October 2019

India is slowly progressing towards becoming a mobile-first nation. Many major video platforms are leveraging this growth to the maximum and as per latest reports there are 247 million+ active smartphone users from India on YouTube alone.

YouTube ads are amongst the greatest advertising options available in India at the moment for brands because of high engagement rates and flexible ad options in comparison to other platforms.

Digital trends and updates have also paved the way for regional content that is widely demanded and consumed. 68 per cent of all internet respondents prefer video content over text-based content, while most consumers look for content in vernacular languages. 70-75 per cent video watchers search for regional videos and this has further expanded the diversity of content on platforms such as YouTube.

October was yet another happening month this year and starting from elections in Maharashtra and Haryana to viral memes making the rounds, brands utilised everything to create an impact.

We have listed the top 10 most watched Indian ads on YouTube in October 2019. Let’s discuss their performances amidst the Indian market.Note:

• Only advertisements launched on YouTube in October 2019 are considered.

• The list does not include ads (about the video content) by other content provider platforms like Netflix India, Amazon Prime Video and Hotstar.

• The overall audience sentiment that is mentioned below each advertisement is based on the number of views, likes, dislikes, watch time, and comments.

• All ads are as per the tracking done through Vidooly's advertisement search engine.

• All the stats here are updated on November 1, 2019.

Note:

• Only advertisements launched on YouTube in October 2019 are considered.

• The list does not include ads (about the video content) by other content provider platforms like Netflix India, Amazon Prime Video and Hotstar.

• The overall audience sentiment that is mentioned below each advertisement is based on the number of views, likes, dislikes, watch time, and comments.

• All ads are as per the tracking done through Vidooly's advertisement search engine.

• All the stats here are updated on November 1, 2019.

1. 90 Hz Smooth Moves | OnePlus x Robert Downey Jr

Robert Downey Jr it is! In the last few months we came across many ads that featured superstars and most of them got the maximum views. It depends on the fan following and concept of the ad that should have an impact on the viewers. The ad by OnePlus India gives out the clear message of “Never Settle” through a scripted play. This ad shows the Iron man star taking his time to prep up and relax before his assistant calls him to the set for work. He continues dancing his way and engages with his fans on a studio tour by clicking pictures on the OnePlus 7T phone that plays clear music too.

2. OPPO Reno2 | Ultra Dark Mode | Party with Ranbir, Katrina and Badshah

Popular on-screen Bollywood couple, Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif along with Badshah in the latest ad for Oppo Reno 2. This video shows the celebrities enjoying a party, which experiences a power outage, Ranbir sneakily clicks pictures in dark mode with his OPPO Reno 2 smartphone. He manages to click Badshah gorging on some cake while Katrina pranked a fellow guest at the party. High clarity camera with awesome zoom power!

3. Is Diwali, aao karein #HarDilRoshan

Vivo India just touched hearts with this Diwali-themed ad. It’s a story of two friends, one whose father works for the other and despite being closest friends they come under the normal division of society. Here Aman and Dhruv love playing together but on Diwali they face a situation where children are separated and picked based on the class and status of their family. The end shows children who are pure at heart understand nothing but friendship, togetherness and love irrespective of caste, creed, race or any other societal divider. The hashtag #HarDilRoshan resonated well with the ad and thus it made to this list.

4. Samsung X Vaani Kapoor | Durga Puja | The Perfect Recapture

Samsung India recreated Vaani Kapoor’s childhood Durga Puja memory with her friend Ronita at Bonedi Badi in Kolkata. The ad shows her speak about how she spent the days during puja where they celebrated it in a grand way but all she had for memory were slightly hazy and blur pictures. Samsung recreated everything from that day including the pictures using the Galaxy A70s that had a night mode to click brighter pictures in lesser light. They shot this perfect recapture with the phone that can take wide angle shots and made sure Vaani had a gala time.

5. #ForAllYourFaces | Faces Canada | Feat. Kriti Sanon

Faces Canada collaborates with Bollywood star Kriti Sanon for its beauty products. The ad shows Kriti talking about how Faces Canada makeup products help her stay pretty in every mood that changes as per situations. The ad is simple where she runs around with the concealers, mascara, liners and lipsticks to parties, clubs, bowling and more. As she participates in different atmospheres and places, her makeup adds to the personality hence making sure she looks her best every time.

6. Levi's Performance Jeans

The popular denim brand has created a simple ad to highlight the special features of its jeans. The ad is focussed on informing the buyers that the jeans has advanced stretchable material that adjusts while you move. Levi’s India has garnered a good amount of views on the video by keeping it simple yet informative.

7. Share #YourWordsNotForwards

Vodafone did great emotional marketing campaign with this ad. It ad follows a grandmother who’s putting in a lot of effort to click the best picture to send to her grandson this Diwali. She asks her maid to help her type a message to him in reply to his forwarded text. The telecom giant puts out the message to send real words and not mere forwards to our near and dear ones during festivals.

8. realme: Our journey of Dare to Leap

realme India’s journey to the list of Global Top 10 smartphone brands was full of struggle and risks. They dared to take the leap and made it huge in the Indian market. This ad documents this journey, with their CEO playing a cameo. The ad traces how realme climbed every summit to success and achieved major milestones in just one year since their launch in India. A truly inspiring video that would spark a light in every aspiring entrepreneur. It has got a bigger market in India and is amongst the fastest selling brand on Flipkart as well.

9. Capture Wider Selfies | #vivoV17Pro | #ClearAsReal

Vivo V17 Pro smart phone has a wider selfie camera that can capture anything wide and large. This ad shows a mother at her daughter’s school play where they performed the Hindu epic Ramayana. The mother is celebrating her child’s performance with a selfie when they notice the child who played Raavan sitting sadly as no one could click a selfie with him as his 10-headed costume became a barrier. The mom and her daughter manage a shot with his entire costume using their Vivo V 17 Pro phone that can take pictures at wide angles too.

10. Maruti Suzuki Arena | #GharAayaTyohar

MSArena Official created this beautiful ad that displays the diversity in India. Maruti Suzuki launched its car Arena during the festive season and the ad captures how Indians celebrate every special moment like a feast. The ad is a candid film of how people from different parts of the country celebrate festivals (tyohar) and the purchase of their new Maruti Suzuki Arena. This ad displays emotions that stay with the people.

(The author is co-founder and chief executive officer at Vidooly, a YouTube audience development and analytics firm.)