2011 Emmy-Nominated Commercials (VIDEOS)

With the announcement of the 2011 Emmy nominations, we found one category where the competition is extreme -- literally. From hugging a polar bear to diving off cliffs, these Emmy-nominated commercials present tough competition, all within two to three minutes. As we think back through past commercial winners, we can't help but notice a couple trends. Is a celebrity appearance a shoe-in to win? "Hallmark," the 2006 winner, featured Leo Burnett struggling to read, "American Express," the 2007 winner, featured Ellen DeGeneres chatting with animals, and more recently, Old Spice's 2010 win featured Isaiah Mustafa shirtless on a horse. Does celebrity appeal guarantee the gold? Or is it more about making the judges laugh? We fondly remember Bud Light's win in 2008 with their office swear jar and Ameriquest Mortgage's 2005 win with a miscommunicated surprise dinner. As this years category dishes out the laughs, and the celebs, it's going to be a difficult choice. Who do you think you will walk away with the win?

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Conan for American Express

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Exploring Indian flea markets, chatting it up with the locals- we can only imagine how much fun Conan had shooting this commercial for American Express. Ogilvy New York, Ad Agency; Hungry Man, Production Company

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Exploring Indian flea markets, chatting it up with the locals- we can only imagine how much fun Conan had shooting this commercial for American Express.

Ogilvy New York, Ad Agency; Hungry Man, Production Company

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Not so hot.. Definite win!

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Comments

[siyathomas88]

06:14 AM on 08/05/2011

Polar Bear for Nissan LEAF commercial is just mind blowing!!! Its very touchy. I loved it.
http://bit.ly/qGDEIH

[SB164]

07:52 PM on 07/18/2011

Wait, how did the the Volkswagon Super Bowl ad featuring the little kid dressed up as Darth Vader not get nominated?!

[Akbar Elsburn]

10:51 AM on 07/19/2011

Easily one of my favorites...

[Vic22]

12:27 AM on 07/17/2011

The chrysler one gave me chills the first time

[Gena Kyllo]

10:50 PM on 07/18/2011

I felt the same way. It's really well done.

[Eric Mann]

02:24 PM on 07/15/2011

Chrysler commercial...hands down.

[kel]

10:57 AM on 07/15/2011

I am just not getting the Old Spice ads. Color me crazy.
Subaru good concept.
McDonalds is cute but I can assure you at our area McDonalds I am lucky to get my order correctly when I am in person let alone the drive thru and stopping. Perhaps they should use that commercial as a hiring model.

[Robert Randell]

09:42 AM on 07/15/2011

Dont remember any of these. Where is the A&W Food Critic ad. I love the little fat manager.

[Marlyn]

09:35 AM on 07/15/2011

Watch commercials when I don't have to? No thanks.

[ABQ-Mike]

09:22 AM on 07/15/2011

Why are foreign commercials so much better than our American ones?

Such as these for example...

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=22984504&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00adef&fullscreen=1&autoplay=1&loop=0

http://www.wimp.com/misunderstoodman/

[emulsifier]

09:41 AM on 07/15/2011

These ones are awesome!

[Lovelyblue]

09:14 AM on 07/15/2011

Old Spice guy is awesome! That was some good thinking on Marketing because if you notice some of the other companies are starting to use this type of format in their ads.

[bola47]

09:10 AM on 07/15/2011

commercials are not programming. why are there emmy awards for commercials? i thought the advertising industry had their own "fixed" award show.

[dentuso]

09:24 AM on 07/15/2011

As a writer - I have to tell you that writing commercials are PRECISELY the same as writing screenplays or teleplays. The three-act structure is no different in commercials, and it's all the more challenging delivering a great story in 30 seconds.

[ahoyhoy]

09:48 AM on 07/15/2011

I used to write 30-second radio news stories. I can completely understand your difficulties.

[Rudderman]

09:36 AM on 07/15/2011

We do have our own award shows...and they are not fixed.
You're thinking of the Oscars.

[blurredmolly]

09:07 AM on 07/15/2011

How can they not offer up the Geico commercial with the tango dancers?

[Rudderman]

09:01 AM on 07/15/2011

Subaru Baby Driver: Best overall concept with a wonderful twist at the end.
That ad is a shoe-in for the awards that really matter to copywriters and art directors, One Show, Clio, and ANDY.

[Mandles99]

08:54 AM on 07/15/2011

Am I the only one who isn't pledging allegiance to flag after watching the Chrysler ad? It's my least favorite, after the Nissan one, just because I keep thinking that bear is going to maul that man.

[shirlyujest]

08:37 AM on 07/15/2011

The Old Spice guy gets my vote 110% and yes, folks, I'm voting with my brains, just like the men vote for Michelle and Sarah.  Only this time it's just for fun.

[Stephen M Lipson]

08:19 AM on 07/15/2011

Old Spice and McDonald's are
the only 2 that deserve an award.