February 11, 2016
It’s that sad time of the year again, Super Bowl Sunday has come and gone. Congratulations to the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning for the victory over the Carolina Panthers and Cam Newton! Although the game is over, there is one thing that still remains, the Super Bowl commercials. We here at Meridian Group truly appreciate the ad campaigns that companies run during the Super Bowl and have compiled our list of favorite commercials from past Super Bowls, as well as this year’s big game. The commercials are very unconventional and creative, just like how we do our work.
Favorites from previous years include:
Brand: BMW
Year: 2015
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f46Eqd3jyIk
Why?: If you can remember life before the internet penetrated every facet of our lives, then you have to appreciate this ad. It captures our ever-changing world in a nutshell. On the surface it’s funny that anyone could have been that confused about a technology we now take for granted. On a deeper level, it is amusing because someday even the smug, smartphone savvy kids will be met with a brand new, innovative technology that even they will find perplexing.
Brand: Old Spice
Year: 2015
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vowPm2oZRyE
Why?: Terry Crews yelling while trying to promote any product is always going to be a hit, especially when he is dressed like a woman.
Brand: Apple
Year: 1984
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtvjbmoDx-I
Why?: The ad’s timing is perfect. It uses the very popular book, 1984, to endorse a product that will eventually change the world. The commercial only aired once but still managed to make a huge impact. This theatrical commercial commands attention, compelling consuemrs to further investigate Apple Macintosh Computers.
Brand: Doritos
Year: 2011
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A6frF5zfDE
Why?: We love pugs and plot twists.
Brand: Coca-Cola
Year: 1980
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc0izCGKxP8&feature=youtu.be
Why?: The Coke ad with Mean Joe Green coming off the football field is probably one of the most iconic and lovable Super Bowl ads of all time. The spot gives off the heartwarming feeling when the kid offers his Coke to Joe Green and reminds us that everybody can become friendlier with a Coke.
Brand: Volkswagen
Year: 2011
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55e-uHQna0
Why?: We LOVE Star Wars and its adorable showing how a little boy is trying to use the Force to control things in the house. The kid thinks he’s using the Force to start the car, but the dad is standing in the window with the automatic start button. It was a very clever and creative way to showcase this new feature.
Brand: Tabasco
Year: 1998
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZnDRrwcbTE
Why?: Our love for this commercial stems from an addiction to hot sauce (Check out EH Gourmet’s hot sauce here) and a hatred for mosquitos. It’s a quiet, unassuming commercial for the first 24 seconds while a mosquito irritatingly buzzes around the actor before taking a bite. Then Tabasco gives a delightful surprise: the mosquito bursts into flames. We’re pretty sure everyone who watched felt some sense of satisfaction.
Brand: EDS
Year: 2006
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdwrYiNJc_E
Why?: Simply ridiculous, and memorable. What a fun ad should be.
Now that we are done reminiscing about ads from years past, let’s take a look at some of Meridian Group’s favorites from this year:
Brand: Hyundai
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R_483zeVF8
Why?: Everyone is always paranoid about first dates in high school, especially when you have to meet the parents. This is definitely relatable to a lot of people, guys and girls, and puts a funny twist on it.
Brand: PETA
Link: http://headlines.peta.org/last-longer/
Why?: They weren’t afraid to go there. They used something that people other than vegan eaters and animal lovers care about to encourage veganism. They aren’t asking people to support their movement directly but instead they’re asking people to enhance themselves. Plus, the highly sexual vibe of the commercial is sure to catch everyone’s attention.
Brand: Heinz
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3HqIkJ9-3w
Why?: Weiner dogs in hot dog costumes running towards condiments was a great idea for use by Heinz in their advertisement.
Brand: NFL
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leU-mgKfdcs
Why?: Having people ranging from kids to adults singing about the Super Bowl and their conception? Genius. It is the perfect blend of lude, hilarious, and somehow pleasing to hear. Having Seal as the backup singer never hurts either.
Brand: Hyundai
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih4VYnbm6Sw
Why?: A town full of Ryan Reynolds? A clear favorite amongst the women of the office.
And this year for the agency favorite is….
Brand: Doritos
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZnBpmZXBms
Why?: Grabbing the viewer’s attention with a baby moving around for a Dorito during an ultrasound was very creative. Babies and dogs are big selling points for Super Bowl commercials and this one was no exception. Doritos has become known for a lot of unexpected ads and this one did not disappoint.
There you have it, the agency’s favorite Super Bowl commercials from past to present. There are of course countless others, but these were the ones that really hit home for us. Look back at previous Super Bowl commercials and figure out which ones were your favorites!