Welcome to our rundown of the most-watched branded YouTube videos of the week.
We’re publishing this snippet of a larger Gospel Stats Weekly Brand Report in order to analyze sponsorship trends in the creator economy. Any video launched in tandem with an official brand partner is eligible for the ranking.
And – as the name up above would imply – all the data comes from Gospel Stats. If you’re interested in learning more about Gospel – and which brands are sponsoring what creators on YouTube – click here.
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The videos featured in this week’s Brand Report show off a few common strategies for YouTube success. Some of the videos hook viewers with a salacious title or thubmail, while others rely on timely subject matter or recognizable personalities. Some of the sponsorships are harmonious connections between creators and like-minded brands, while others are part of massive media campaigns that span all corners of YouTube. What all these videos have in common is big viewership. For the clips that pick up millions of views, both the creator and sponsor can walk away happy.
#1 KUNG FU MASTER Discovers ORPHAN Is KARATE PRODIGY
Channel: Dhar Mann Studios
Brand: Nord VPN
Views: 3,493,601
If the outrageous title of this video seems strange to you, then you probably haven’t seen too many of clips that have come out of Dhar Mann Studios. The internet’s favorite moralist has become the master of digital fables: His content tends toward simple, stark themes, storylines that translate across cultural lines, and intense situations with clear stakes. That formula often lands Mann in our Weekly Brand Report, and he rolled all the way to the top of our ranking at the start of August. Mann’s sponsor for this video is Nord VPN, which makes sense. His content is designed to be universal, and his brand partner makes sure that anyone, anywhere can get their Dhar Mann fix.
#2 I’m What the Culture Feeling (The full story of Kendrick Lamar Vs Drake)
Channel: F.D Signifier
Brand: Nebula
Views: 2,290,146
The high-profile food between rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar has been YouTube gold since May, when the two rivals traded acerbic diss tracks with one another. The situation was ripe for a thorough, academic breakdown, and Nebula is one of the best places to go for that kind of content. The creator-led streaming service is known for thoughtful and erudite videos, and commentator F.D Signifier brought that kind of voice to the spat between two of America’s biggest hip-hop icons. Even if you agree with the consensus — that Kendrick won the diss battle — our report shows that both he and Drake were bested by the ultimate rap god: Dhar Mann.
#3 I bought Tara her Dream Car!
Channel: Jake Webber
Brand: Opera
Views: 2,195,521
From the outside, the creator career may seem like a life of luxury, but it comes with plenty of drawbacks. The unseen life of the creator can be filled with unwanted interactions, and that unfortunate truth was the impetus behind the #3 video in this week’s Weekly Brand Report. In a detailed, 24-minute vlog, creator Jake Webber told the story of the time he bought a tricked-out new ride for his ex-girlfriend (and current friend) Tara. Webber was compelled to make the purchase after learning that Tara was dealing with fan interactions in public. Now, she can control the road in her souped up new ride, and Webber’s sponsor Opera (a frequent backer of prominent YouTube channels) can enjoy another branded video with millions of views.
#4 Testing the Worlds Most Powerful Dirt Bike!
Channel: CboysTV
Brand: ShipStation
Views: 2,119,075
The duo known as CboysTV is one of the leading automotive channels on YouTube, and their shared prowess on the road has opened up numerous sponsorship opportunities. For a recent video, the pair went offroading on the world’s most powerful dirt bike. Luckily for their viewers, the Cboys crew offered a simpler solution for anyone who needs to send a package. You don’t need to send a courier through an offroad shortcut on the world’s fastest dirt bike — you just need to put your faith in ShipStation, the digital shipping service that sponsored Cboys’ muddy clip. Of course, if you do opt for the dirt bike delivery option, your package will arrive on a Cheetos-branded vehicle. For some people, that’s worth a lot of added incovenience.
BONUS #1,833 I Bought The MOST AMAZING American Tools from Home Depot AKA USA’S BIGGEST Tool Hardware Store!
Channel: Shadow Foam
Brand: Woodworkers Guild of America
Views: 27,804
The Woodworkers Guild of America is recruiting new members via YouTube. The professional organization attached its name to a clip from the British creator known as Shadow Foam, who showed off his haul after making his first-ever visit to Home Depot. As an American, the orange-and-white branding of Home Depot needs no introduction, and it’s funny to imagine that a clip like this could sway domestic woodworkers toward the aforementioned guild. But advertising a professional organization on YouTube is a good idea. The world’s top video site is hoping to plenty of amateurs and self-starters who can benefit from the services the Guild offers.
…and there’s a lot more data where that came from. If you’re interested in learning more about Gospel – and which brands are sponsoring what creators on YouTube – click here.
