As a Creative Marketing Agency in Washington, DC, we put together a Top 10 List of our Favorite Ads.
It is the biggest week in TV advertising and per usual, brands have released their Super Bowl ads early to generate buzz. Once again, the ads seem to be packed with celebrities, entertainment and humor. Ad rates are going at $5.1 – $5.4 million per 30-second ad, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Airtime, however, is not the only thing brands are getting. With the surge of social media and digital engagement, brands are also paying for the media coverage and scrutiny before and after the big game.
Here is a list of our favorite pre-released ads and their teasers from #10 to #1!
10) Budweiser | “Wind Never Felt Better”
https://youtu.be/B6VciSoR1iQ
It’s hard to imagine a Super Bowl without a beer commercial. Set with a new purpose, this Budweiser ad highlights the use of wind power using its more sustainable brewing operations. The ad features a dalmatian riding on a Budweiser wagon hauled by Clydesdale horses with Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” playing in the background.
9) Stella Artois | “Change Up The Usual”
Another beer commercial for Stella Artois brings together two beloved TV characters, Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw and Jeff Bridges as Jeffrey “the Dude” Lebowski. Both are spending a night at a fancy restaurant and choose to swap their signature drinks – a Cosmopolitan and a White Russian – for a glass or a bottle of Stella Artois beer because it is good to change up the usual.
8) Amazon | “Alex Loses Her Voice”
When Alexa loses her voice, celebrities like Gordon Ramsey, Cardi B, Rebel Wilson and Sir Anthony Hopkins try to fill in her place, with an appearance by Amazon’s CEO, Jeff Bezos.
7) Bumble x Serena Williams | #InHerCourt – Anthem I
https://youtu.be/v-rmGKn-LAc
Although this clip is only a teaser, what we love about Bumble’s first ever Super Bowl commercial is the message behind it, #inHerCourt, which aligns with Bumble’s underlying brand message of “women making the first move.” The popular dating and networking company has joined forces with tennis icon and entrepreneur, Serena Williams, to send the message to women in the world to not be afraid to make the first move in love, life, and business.
6) Avocados from Mexico | “Chorus”
https://youtu.be/45bgw4aUEVI
Avocados from Mexico is returning back to Super Bowl with an ad featuring actress Kristin Chenoweth and a cast of dogs who are “barking” to the sound of a chorus singing “Avocados from Mexico.” We think this ad is funny and memorable because using jingles is a recognizable branding element and is a very powerful tool in advertising.
5) Colgate | “Close Talker”
https://youtu.be/z-o_LI8-5oY
We like this Colgate ad because it’s creative and funny. We also think the phrase “Close Talker” really sticks and is something most people have encountered at some point in their life. The scriptwriting and video production of the commercial are also well done. Whenever a commercial makes you smile, you know you’ve hit the nail on the head.
4) Michelob Ultra Pure Gold | “The Pure Experienced”
https://youtu.be/LXmlN9BAddg
You would think in a loud Super Bowl party, how can anyone pay attention to a TV commercial, much rather be able to hear everything? Well, we think Michelob Ultra Pure Gold did a phenomenal job creating an ad that really awakens the human senses, using powerful imagery and sound. Sometimes all you need is a little quite to cut through the noise.
3) Bubly | “Michael Bublé vs. bubly”
In an ad for Bubly sparkling water, superstar Michael Bublé takes matters into his own hands by renaming each can of Bubly to Bublé. Pretty darn smart of Bubly to use the power of a high-profile celebrity to make their mark on a world stage. Catch the full ad on Sunday!
2) Doritos® | “Chance the Rapper x Backstreet Boys”
https://youtu.be/yi3bt7J-DBE
Doritos, the producer of Flamin’ Hot Tortilla Chips and a longtime Super Bowl participant, might just steal the show this year with its ad featuring the recently reunited and touring 90’s band, The Backstreet Boys, and Chance the Rapper. In the short clips released as teasers, the band and the rapper are shown practicing dance moves and striking a pose to the famous “I Want It That Way”.
1) Pepsi | “More than Ok, Okurrrrr?”
https://youtu.be/G9xy3cdykJs
Pepsi is here to answer the age-old question, “Is Pepsi Ok?” and what better pop culture celebrity to feature in this ad than Cardi B. This ad is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser and we couldn’t agree more because whenever you actually create a catchphrase from an ad, you know you have more than met your objective in creating a marketing campaign that is worth every penny of that +$5 million ad spent, “Okurr”?
By Tabasum Lutfi, Chief Editor at TriVision