Five of the Best: #AD

Who doesn’t love a good #AD video?

For the majority of the time YouTube has been around, there have been companies wanting to collab with creators. Yes, yes, we know a lot of viewers don’t necessarily like it when their fave creators upload sponsored content, but the fact of the matter is that it’s a way of thriving on YouTube – and we, for one, are all for it! Not only do these collaborations allow for our faves to keep creating content for us, but they also give them a chance to stretch their creativity and try out new things.

We here at TenEighty HQ think that some sponsored content is worth celebrating, which is why we’ve curated this list of five videos that also double as ads for products/companies. From hilarious sketches to artistic takes, these videos are pretty damn cool. So, without further ado, here’s Five of the Best: #AD!

HOLY SHIT CATS 2 | TomSka

One of the many ways YouTubers partner with companies is by tapping into their creative sides and filming comedy sketches. There are quite a few of them floating about, and while we had a lot to choose from, we decided that Thomas Ridgewell‘s sequel to HOLY SHIT CATS was the perfect way to kick off this week’s Five of the Best.

In one of the most ridiculous yet entertaining sketches we’ve ever seen, Tom and Paula Kay work together to fight off a horde of evil cats and professional stuntmen, with the help of their newborn son. (And a psychic Batman!) What we love most about this video is that Tom doesn’t hide the fact it’s sponsored – in fact, Battle Cats is the enemy in the sketch – and incorporates the argument that such content is seen as a YouTuber “selling out”. Well played, Tom. Well played.

Craft Creature Cupcakes | BananaJamana

If you’re like us, then we’re sure you couldn’t escape seeing ads for the Best Fiends game floating around on YouTube recently – it pretty much turned into 2017’s version of Audible. However, while most creators sponsored by the app opted to simply mention it at either the beginning or end of their videos, Jamie Jo decided to put a unique spin on it and create a Best Fiends-themed craft project!

We’ve always been in awe of Jamie’s artistic talents and crafting skills, and this video is a prime example as to why. Even though the “cupcakes” she created were made from non-edible crafting materials, they look just like the real thing! Honestly, if you were to place them on a table in front of us, we’d totally think they were real cupcakes. (And take a bite out of them.) Seriously, how does Jamie do it?!

5 TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED AT UNIVERSITY! | Ad | Ibz Mo

It’s that time of year again – many people are up to their necks in university applications. However, in case you weren’t freaking out enough already, you should know that getting accepted is only the first step. Once you’re accepted, you actually have to attend uni, which can seem like a pretty daunting task. Thankfully, you have Ibrahim Mohammed in your corner, and he’s here to offer some crucial tips on how to start your uni adventure.

In collaboration with Currys and PC World, Ibrahim created this video featuring five tips for anyone attending uni for the first time. From the crucial point of having your own Netflix account (that everyone can mooch off) to sneakily not letting everyone you met during Freshers’ Week know you forgot their names, Ibrahim is here to help you out. And yes, this video is totally legit and in no way a parody…

BEANZ | ad – doddleoddle

It’s pretty much our dream to be sponsored by Heinz (or basically anyone who makes baked beans – imagine the endless cans you’d receive), so we were both super jelly and incredibly excited to see this video from dodie pop up in our sub boxes a year or so ago.

Sharing her version of Heinz’s #CanSong, dodie not only shows us her crazy editing skills, but also how ingenious she is by using the cloning effect to include harmonies throughout that add a whole other dimension to the song. Seriously, how is she so talented and, more importantly, would she be willing to teach us how to perform this? We had troubling nailing down Anna Kendrick’s Cup Song, so we know we’re going to need some help mastering this.

Dan the Dinosaur vs. Phil the Lion – THE EXTINCTION RACE | Daniel Howell

Ahh, the early 2010s. Remember those days on YouTube, when our faves were creating sponsored content for the likes of Oreo and Krave? Sadly, the Oreo videos have since been taken down, but the Krave ones still exist, offering up endless hours of fun and nostalgia. Our fave? This challenge featuring Dan the Dinosaur and Phil the Lion.

In the Krave battle to end all Krave battles, Daniel Howell and Phil Lester go head-to-head to prepare a bowl of Krave, lest they want to risk their onesies being destroyed forever. With the ~~help~~ hindrance of PJ Liguori, the pair must fight through bungee cords, meteor showers, and poachers to be victorious – honestly, it’s pretty hilarious. Who wins? Well, we won’t spoil it for you, but let’s just say his name rhymes with “spaniel towel”.

So there you have it…

Our Five of the Best: #AD. See, we told you not all sponsored videos were bad! Some brand deals result in the most creative of content and we hope to see more YouTubers getting creative in the future. What are some of your favourite sponsored videos? Be sure to let us know at @TenEightyUK! Who knows, you might see them in a future Five of the Best!

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