Volkswagen's 'The Force' tops AdWeek list of top 10 TV commercials

Volkswagen’s ‘The Force’ tops AdWeek list of top 10 TV commercials

Nov. 28, 2011 10:56 AM PT

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It’s not even December yet, but the end-of-year lists are starting to roll out. Among the first: the 10 best commercials of 2011, courtesy of AdWeek.

The rankings include several auto ads (such as the Chrysler plug set in Detroit starring Eminem) as well as spots featuring topics du jour such as zombies (for the Dead Island video game) and the environment (from Chipotle and the Nissan Leaf).

But the classic combo of critters and children is still a favorite. See the talking sharks from Snickers, the talking bearskin rugs from Canal+, the cats with thumbs from Cravendale … oh, and the cute kid from Google Chrome.

The best-in-show went to a Volkswagen ad that went viral in February after debuting during the Super Bowl, so far attracting more than 44 million views on YouTube. “The Force,” from the Los Angeles arm of ad agency Deutsche Inc., featured a child in a Darth Vader suit working his magic on his father’s remote-controlled Passat.

9/11 anniversary advertising -- appropriate or exploitative?

-- Tiffany Hsu

Video: Volkswagen

Money & Company

Tiffany Hsu

Tiffany Hsu is a former staff writer for the Los Angeles Times. Previously, she wrote about the California economy, fast food, restaurants, retail and alternative energy for the Business section. A Bay Area native, UC Berkeley graduate and eternal Nor-Cal fan, she once worked for the San Francisco Bay Guardian. She also did a stint at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, where she developed a passion for sweet tea. She still has faith that someday she’ll find two economists who agree.