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Whether you’re Tom Brady’s biggest fan or you couldn’t care less for him, we can all agree on one thing: the creators of this year’s Super Bowl ads spared no expense! This year’s commercial breaks were teaming with celebrities, popular songs, and special effects. I’m back again this year to share AG Marketing Solutions’ favorite commercials from this year’s championship game!
Cheetos | “It Wasn’t Me”
This ad was a hit for so many reasons. The commercial was full of positive associations, set to Shaggy’s hit “It Wasn’t Me” and featuring one of America’s favorite couples, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, plus Shaggy himself. We all have tried to emulate celebrities at some point in our lives, and seeing Kunis enjoy Cheetos reminded us that celebs enjoy the same snacks that we do. This one-minute spot also featured an occurrence that a lot of us have probably experienced while quarantining with our family or roommates: someone stealing your beloved snacks. This ad was full of humor, making it one of the most memorable commercials this year.
Doritos | “Flat Matthew”
Doritos did a fantastic job showcasing their newest product in their spot. The commercial features a flat, two dimensional Matthew McConaughey who doesn’t return to his usual self until eating Doritos’ new 3D Crunch chips. McConaughey’s transformation from 2D to 3D perfectly mirrors the exciting features of this new snack, while a recognizable song plays in the background. The commercial even encourages consumer engagement by including #FlatMatthew at the end, getting the online conversation started.
Verizon | “Can’t Blame the Lag”
This commercial called out its audience right away with the proclamation of “Gamers!” to start the ad. Verizon identified a common issue that this audience faces – slow internet – and showed exactly how Verizon could not only solve this problem but make them better gamers in the end. Because of this, the ad is incredibly effective, adequately promoting their new service while playing on something every gamer would want to do: improve their skills. Verizon also included Steelers’ wide receiver and avid gamer JuJu Smith-Schuster, giving them further credibility.
T-Mobile | “Rockstar 5G”
Like Cheetos, T-Mobile also casted one of America’s favorite couples, Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton. Though set a few years back, this ad was all about video chatting, which has certainly been common throughout the pandemic! T-Mobile warns you that you shouldn’t “trust your love life to just any network,” by showing a conversation between Stefani and Adam Levine over video chat. Stefani asks Levine to find her a man who is cultured and from a different country, but Levine mishears due to the spotty network and thinks she asked him for “someone completely country.” He sends country music star Shelton. The irony is humorous, as Stefani appears to be disinterested in Shelton, even though the audience knows they are currently dating. In just one minute, T-Mobile proves why you need top-notch service and why you should choose them as your provider, telling you that they have “more #1s in 5G.” The combination of humor, celebrities, and the stat at the end make this ad one of the best!
Toyota | “Upstream”
Only two things I’ve watched have ever made me cry: the movie “Dolphin Tale” and this commercial. Toyota shares the empowering story of Paralympic swimmer Jessica Long, how she was adopted from Russia by an American couple and dealt with a rare condition that required the amputation of both of her legs. The commercial concludes with the line, “We believe there is hope and strength in all of us.” This uplifting message shows how Long was able to overcome everything that was meant to hold her back and in turn provides encouragement that we too can overcome the trials and tribulations of the past year. While this doesn’t directly promote their line of vehicles, Toyota’s spot humanized their brand while making a connection with their audience, showcasing their company values and creating a positive association with the Toyota name.
Honorable Mention:
Scotts Miracle-Gro | “Keep Growing”
While we’ve been staying home for the past year, gardening and home improvement have certainly become popular hobbies. This ad was overloaded with celebrities and played on current trends like TikTok dances to relate to its audience. Scotts Miracle-Gro also encouraged engagement by inviting watchers to participate in their contest to win a lawn and garden makeover.
M&M’S | “Come Together”
The major standout from this ad was the use of “Schitt’s Creek” creator and star Dan Levy. The commercial features actors apologizing for common occurrences of the past year, like mansplaining, out of control gender reveals, and calling someone “Karen.” This spot stood out for its memorable use of humor and of course its use of the brand’s lovable candy characters.
State Farm | “Drake from State Farm”
This ad starred Drake to set it apart from the rest. The commercial was also a hit for playing on brand recognition and continuing the storyline of the brand’s iconic character, Jake from State Farm. Relating this well-loved character Jake to rap artist Drake is what made this spot so memorable.
