Jeep® Brand’s ‘Billy Goes to the River’ Takes No. 1 Automotive Spot on YouTube AdBlitz Leaderboard

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 

• “Billy Goes to the River” was named the top automotive performer for YouTube AdBlitz 2026, with the commercial rising to the top based on a combination of views, engagement, likes and shares
• “Billy Goes to the River” placed in top five of all YouTube AdBlitz videos
• “Billy Goes to the River” has been viewed more than 20 million times across the Jeep® brand’s social media channels, including YouTube, Facebook, X, TikTok and Instagram
• All-new 2026 Jeep Cherokee hybrid vehicle landing page (VLP) daily visits increased +65% (post launch)
• O Positive Director Jim Jenkins, who directed the Jeep brand’s smash hit Emmy Award-nominated Big Game commercial “Groundhog Day,” returns to helm the “Billy Goes to the River” spot

The Jeep® brand’s social media commercial starring Big Mouth Billy Bass® and the all-new 2026 Jeep Cherokee hybrid was named the No. 1 automotive commercial on the annual YouTube AdBlitz contest. Overall, “Billy Goes to the River” placed at No. 5 among the 118 videos on the 2026 YouTube AdBlitz based on a combination of views, engagement, likes and shares. 

Per YouTube, “every year, people turn to YouTube to rewatch and share their favorite highlights surrounding the Big Game, especially the ads. To celebrate the best brands breaking through, we host a competition for the top performing commercials on AdBlitz, our Super Bowl ads and teasers hub. The list is based on a combination of views and engagements from February 1-12 at midnight ET, highlighting both in-game and digital-first advertisers.”

The No. 1 automotive ranking for the Jeep brand, featuring the all-new 2026 Jeep Cherokee hybrid, bested the efforts of the three automotive brands advertising in the Big Game.

The spot, called “Billy Goes to the River,” cast its fishing line into the social media waters during the advertising industry’s biggest week, looking to catch the prize for the “best Big Game commercial that’s not in the Big Game.” The commercial takes viewers on what starts as a sweet father-son drive when the young boy innocently seeks to fulfill Billy’s request to “take (him) to the river,” and it ends with far (far) less than expected results.

“Our intentional effort to make a splash during the advertising industry’s biggest week showed that we don’t always need to be in the Big Game to make our brands shine,” said Olivier Francois, global chief marketing officer, Stellantis. “With powerful creative behind the highly anticipated all-new 2026 Jeep Cherokee hybrid, audiences were hooked by ‘Billy Goes to the River,’ outperforming even the automotive brands that played inside both the Big Game’s television and social media channel arena.

“In fact, the video has been so well received that we’re rolling it out across television as a 30-second commercial to support the launch campaign for the all-new 2026 Jeep Cherokee.”

The almost two-minute “Billy Goes to the River” commercial for the all-new 2026 Jeep Cherokee hybrid has been viewed more than 20 million times across the Jeep brand’s social media channels, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok, and saw 78,000 combined shares across those channels, driving 246,000 engagements consisting of 159,000 reactions, 8,900 comments and 78,000 shares. *Measurements from Wednesday, Feb. 4 through Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026.

“Billy Goes to the River” was created by the Jeep brand in partnership with Chicago-based agency Highdive, also behind one of the Jeep brand’s recent social media hits for the Grand Wagoneer, “The Family SUV,” starring comedian Iliza Shlesinger.

Big Mouth Billy Bass is a registered trademark of Gemmy Industries Corporation.

Stellantis’ brands have taken the AdBlitz crown over the last decade, including:

• Last year’s “Owner’s Manual” starring Harrison Ford
• Chrysler brand’s Emmy Award-winning “Imported From Detroit” featuring Eminem (2011)
• Ram brand’s “Farmer” (2013)
• Jeep brand’s “More Than Just Words” performed by OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder (2019)
• “Groundhog Day,” which placed as the No. 1 auto ad in the YouTube AdBlitz in 2020 (No. 2 spot overall among 164 videos)

Gemmy Industries
Gemmy Industries is a leader in the seasonal décor market, bringing festive fun and holiday cheer to homes everywhere. Dedicated to innovation and creative design, Gemmy has elevated industry standards and established recognizable brands like Airblown® and LightShow®. For more information on products and retailers, visit gemmy.com. Connect with Gemmy on Instagram and Facebook.

Jeep Brand
For nearly 85 years, Jeep has been a global leader in SUVs, delivering legendary off-road capability, advanced technology and exceptional versatility for those who seek fun and adventure. With a commitment to innovation, the Jeep brand offers a diverse lineup of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, hybrid technology and all-electric drivetrains. Built on a heritage of freedom, adventure, authenticity and passion, Jeep continues to set the standard for rugged and refined vehicles designed to conquer it all.

Follow Jeep and company news and video on:
Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Jeep brand: www.jeep.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeep 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeep 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeep
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/jeep
YouTube: www.youtube.com/thejeepchannel or https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA

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SOURCE Stellantis