NEW YORK -

Five different nameplates took honors as Nielsen announced the winners of its 10th Annual Automotive Advertising Awards, celebrating the most effective automotive ads that aired during 2015.

Crowned as Automotive Ad of the Year was Dodge’s “Wisdom” spot, which featured an emotional montage of interviews with centenarians describing what they have learned in life juxtaposed with images of a Dodge Challenger and the tag line “You learn a lot in 100 years.” The ad was created in celebration of the brand's 100th anniversary.

In addition to the overall Automotive Ad of the Year, Nielsen awarded campaign category winners — all celebrating excellence in effective creative across the automotive industry. Winners were announced during the opening press breakfast of the 2016 New York International Auto Show and included:

— Automotive Ad of the Year: Dodge for its “Wisdom” ad

— Sales Event of the Year: Toyota for its Annual Clearance Event “Piggy Bank”

— Spanish TV Advertiser of the Year: Nissan

— Luxury Campaign of the Year: Mercedes-Benz Motors for its “Fable” ad

— Excellence in Digital Advertising: Subaru Motors for its “In the Dog House” ad

“Great advertising is all about a developing an engaging storyline and executing that in a way that connects and resonates emotionally with the consumer in a creative, memorable, and distinctive way," said Mark Sneathen, managing director of Nielsen Automotive.

“Understanding how ad campaigns are resonating with the consumer directly is imperative to reaching them, regardless of the platform that the ad is delivered on,” Sneathen continued.

Nielsen went on to mention these awards are unique since the panelists respond based on what they watched in a natural environment (as opposed to a clinical research environment). The firm said the results reflect real-life reaction to and memory of television commercials.

Nielsen issues surveys for all national commercials within its covered dayparts and networks.

“Receiving this award is one most meaningful honors we can get as it reinforces that the risks Dodge took to deliver the unexpected were successful — in this case featuring centenarians in a video for cars that appeal to a much younger audience,”FCA chief marketing officer Olivier Francois said.

“It’s all about telling a compelling, engaging and effective story, in a way that is true to the Dodge brand attitude, and connecting with consumers on an emotional level,” Francois continued.

“We're honored to receive this award because Nielsen is a trusted source in measuring ad effectiveness directly from the consumer’s perspective,” Francois went on to say about the spot that can be viewed in the window at the top of this page.