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Are you ready for some football…ads? For football fans across the country, the Super Bowl is the height of excitement. The two best teams in the nation go head-to-head, and there can be only one winner. For marketers, the Super Bowl is equally exciting because it’s time for some of the best commercials of the year.
For companies, engagement is almost guaranteed. There is virtually NO channel surfing during the Super Bowl, but did companies get it right? While small business owners don’t have the budget for Super Bowl commercials (yet), we can get ideas on how we can present our companies to potential customers. Here are my top ad picks for the night.
1. Audi A8: Luxury has Progressed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3snyXTNmFm8
This Audi commercial was one of my favorites of the night. I loved the contrast between the old stereotypes of luxury and the new, right down to the main actors (the bumbling white-haired prisoner in the smoking jacket vs. the James Bond type in a suit). It kept me engaged and curious to see the brand behind the commercial. This was also a direct hit at Mercedes, which was branded as “your father’s car.” Is this commercial going to make you give Audi a second look? I’m not in the market for a luxury vehicle right now, but Audi is now in my consideration set for sure.
2. Chrysler 200: Imported from Detroit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKL254Y_jtc
In 2010, corrupt politics and a sagging auto industry marred Detroit’s reputation. The city needed a pick-me-up, and this Chrysler 200 commercial with Eminem did just that. I’m not even from Detroit, and I feel proud.
I see spin-off clothing opportunities. I’m sure there’s a city full of people (if not more) who would love to see “Imported from Detroit” t-shirts on sale.
3. Doritos: Grandpa Reborn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCdnFMp6s84
The Doritos ads always capitalize on physical humor and can get downright weird: hello guy licking Dorito dust off another guy’s finger. However, I loved the ad where Doritos magically brought things back to life…even Grandpa. How many of you went around sprinkling Doritos around your house waiting for your dead plants to pop back up? 🙂 This ad was funny vs. offensive and showed off some of the magic of Doritos.
4. Volkswagen: The Force
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55e-uHQna0
This was a very cute commercial that any parent could love. There was no dialogue but you understood the joy and amazement the kid felt after he activated the car. It also showed some benefits of the 2012 Passat. For families in the market for a reasonably priced car with cool features, the Passat presented itself well.
5. Pepsi Max: Guy Needing to Lose Weight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX7oYAygWOQ
While this was not one of my favorites, I included it on the list because this Pepsi ad was one of the most talked about among my friends. Some thought the humor was hilarious, especially the part where the woman hits the jogger with the Pepsi Max and the couple runs off. Others thought it played right into stereotypes of the “angry Black woman” and didn’t like how the blonde woman caught the man’s eye at the end. Were you offended, or do you think people need to lighten up?
This wraps up my recap of the Super Bowl XLV commercials. Do you agree? What were your favorite commercials and why?
