The 25 Best Ads of 2020

2020 led marketers down numerous paths of creative excellence. Some delivered incredible Super Bowl ads (hello, Bill Murray). Others scored award-winning ads before the pandemic changed the world (is that a Moldy Whopper I see?). Some recognized the dumpster fire that is 2020 and ran with it (we're talking about Match here). Others inspired us to carry on (Nike's split-screen masterpiece carries this torch). Some used their voices to elevate Black Lives Matter (Beats By Dre succeeded better than anyone here).

But which ad was No. 1? Check out our full list here. 

For subscribers only: See the best ads for the previous three years.

Become an Adweek Pro Member to unlock all of Adweek's archives. Support our work and subscribe today.

KFC's 16-minute branded content spot, "A Recipe for Seduction," debuted on Lifetime on Sunday. KFC is never mentioned throughout the film, but the mini-movie is presented by "Kentucky Fried Chicken." The spot delivers campy lines that any Lifetime movie lover would appreciate like, “Don’t call me ‘Crouton’” and “Secret’s out, Chicken Man.”

Here's how you can watch it.

Review: Marketer Christina Garnett gave the mini-movie four drumsticks out of five. Read her review here.

Once the cookie is gone, will anyone be invited to play in Chrome's Privacy Sandbox? That's the key question facing the industry right now as Google and its competitors jockey for position in the reconfigured world of ad tech. Google is trying to balance its dominance of ad tech with what will make marketers happy while also appeasing regulators as the government takes a closer look for antitrust reasons.

What this means for marketers: This exclusive overview of Chrome's Privacy Sandbox details everything you need to know.

'If your friends don't mask, why don't they mask, well they won't fly this airline!'

2020 has been a year rife with unexpected challenges and new opportunities, during which the only constant has been rapid change. And so far, 2021 shows no promise of slowing down. Join Adweek for the inaugural Outlook summit, January 26-28, to hear from top marketing, media and tech executives, forecasters and thought leaders on the state of the state, predictions for the road ahead, and tools and strategies that will supercharge growth and revenue in uncertain times. Save your virtual seat.

The social media company is doubling down on video.

It'll be the second professional sports team name change this year.

The tech-centric art exhibition is looking to expand into more partnerships of a similar nature.

From its original business plan to becoming the third best-attended sport in the U.S.

Agency pulls back the curtain on its latest social push

Whatever you do, don't listen to Valentine's Day.