Excitement prior to the start of the Brazilian World Cup is reaching fever… I can’t do it. I’ll start again.
Before the Brazilian World Cup kicks… Aggh, I did it again!
There’s all to play for when it comes to brands making an impact on the field before the whistle has even blown… I feel so unclean.
There’s something about football that brings out my inner cliche-loving hack. Maybe it’s because I’m subconsciously over-compensating due to a debilitating lack of football knowledge.
Maybe I should just embrace it.
Here for your entertainment are the most shared branded videos for the World Cup 2014 so far, according to the good folks at Unruly, replete with the laziest football cliches I can think of.
One of the most interesting current trend you’ll notice is how non-sponsors such as Nike and Samsung are completely dominating the chart, whereas official sponsors like Adidas, Sony and Hyundai have been left on the bench there or thereabouts.
For more pre-match analysis, see my fellow pundit Ben Davis’s post World Cup 2014: what should we expect from brands?
Activia – 1.3m shares
It’s the World Cup anthem ‘La La La’ as sung by the seemingly ageless Shakira and sponsored by Activia. It rates somewhere in the middle between ‘World in Motion’ and Kasabian’s cover of ‘Heroes’.
In just a week it’s managed to rack up a phenomenal 64m. Inspirational stuff from the Colombian centre-forward.
Nike – 1m shares
Up until last week, ‘Winner Stays’ was the most shared football ad, racking up 71m views since its launch on 25 April. However perhaps as it’s widely televised and doesn’t feature Shakira dancing all over it, its defence was easily unraveled.
Castrol – 728,768 shares
Castrol set its stall out early doors, this video appeared 22 April. ‘Footkhana’ sees World Cup star Neymar Jr. and his freestyle team take on Gymkhana (apparently not the equestrian kind) star Ken Block. It’s an early contender for goal of the season and the highest placing entry for a World Cup sponsor.
Samsung 463,235 shares
Samsung’s high-budget, narrative driven, star-led series of commercials for its Galaxy 11 have led to the first of a hat-trick for the non-sponsor with the cultured left-foot.
Samsung 396,389 shares
Mere seconds before half-time, a second volley gives Samsung a comfortable lead.
Emirates 281,735 shares
Only the second of three sponsors to feature in the top 10, Emirates makes a strong play early in the second half and prove that there is still all to play for.
Samsung 159,995 shares
A hat-trick that cements Samsung as a formidable talent. It must be literally over the moon.
Nike 137,774 shares
The second of three ads from Nike to appear in the top 10. It’s interesting to note that Nike isn’t a sponsor of the World Cup, yet completely dominates the share of the spoils. Barring any potential banana skin, this will be an easy victory.
Nike 134,629 shares
Nike leads by Samsung’s example and scores a compelling header to tie the game at three-all. The Americans have got to start turning these draws into wins at the end of the day.
Coca-Cola 117,784 shares
World cup sponsor Coca-Cola has dropped from fourth place to tenth. I’m sure the manager will have a lot to discuss post game. I would love to be a fly on the wall in that dressing room.
Back of the net!
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