For those of us in Australia, watching the Super Bowl on TV can be a bit of a letdown. It’s got nothing to do with the sport, spectacle (although Maroon 5 and the first half did its best to bore us all) or the event itself, it’s got to do with the ads.
With a 30-second spot for a commercial during the Super Bowl costing approx. $5millionUSD in America, the advertisers go above and beyond to ensure they get the most out of their spot.
There are plenty of viewers in America who will watch the Super Bowl only for the commercials.
Meanwhile, Australian viewers are subjected to daytime TV ads for life insurance, local car dealerships, Superannuation, Subway and the same ad for the ESPN app over and over during the local broadcast.
Thanks to our good friends at YouTube, we’ve been able to come up with a list of some of the Sensational Superbowl Ads from this years match directly from the US of A and we’ve thrown in a few classics from over the years as well.
Pepsi “More Than OK”
Pepsi has gone more than above and beyond with Cardi B, Steve Carell and Lil Jon all in the one ad addressing the age-old problem of restaurants asking if Pepsi is ok?
M&Ms feat. Christina Applegate
Married..with Children’s own Christina Applegate plays a frustrated “Mom”, as they say in the states, driving M&M’s in the backseat. Just like in real life.
Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party
Just kidding. But at the rate Clive Palmer’s ads are appearing on the television and on billboards, you wouldn’t put it beyond him that he contemplated purchasing a $5 million Super Bowl ad spot in the USA.
Colgate Close Talker
Taking inspiration from Judge Reinhold’s role as the “Close Talker” in Seinfeld, this works quite well for toothpaste. However, the ad would have worked better had they actually got Judge to reprise his role. He’s no Rob the Dentist of Oral B fame.
Hyundai – Jason Bateman the Elevator Operator
Hyundai or “Honday” as the yanks say it have done well in this effort with Jason Bateman playing a lift attendant taking people to undesirable locations.
Bumble – Serena Williams
It’s 2019. Of course dating app Bumble has a Super Bowl commercial with Serena Williams in it!
Bubly – Michael Bublé
You see the drink that’s been advertised is called Bubly and it sounds sorta similar to cronner Michael Bublé. So what do you have as a result? Absolute hilarity!
Doritos – Chance the Rapper and the Backstreet Boys
The people at Doritos have a proven track-record of excellent Super Bowl ads over the years and this one featuring Chance the Rapper and the Backstreet Boys is no exception.
Stella Atois – Sarah Jessica-Parker and Jeff Bridges
You wouldn’t expect to see the likes of Sex and the City star Sarah-Jessica Parker and Jeff Bridges in a beer commercial but, here we are!
Devor – Frozen Food Porn
One of the better ads from this year’s Super Bowl, this commercial for US frozen food brand Devour is quite disturbing.
Mint Mobile – Chunky Style Milk
One from the “ads within an ad” catergory, this is actually an ad for a US Internet Provider. $20 per month! Yet again another example on Australian’s being ripped off.
Olay – Sarah-Michelle Geller
Skincare company Olay doesn’t tend to advertise during sports telecasts but given the mass audience the Super Bowl attracts why wouldn’t they? They’ve signed up Buffy herself, Sarah-Michelle Geller to star in it.
Pringles – Sad Device
Pringles, Alexa device, stacking flavours. How very 2019.
Amazon Alexa – Harrison Ford
This is meant to be a star-studded ad for Amazon’s Alexa device but it’s kind of disturbing what the future may hold with this thing.
Expensivfy – 2 Chainz
2 Chainz and Parks and Recreation actor Adam Scott team up for an ad for an accounting software app. Lot’s of bling.
And while we’re at it, here are some classic ads to have aired in the US during the Super Bowl over the years…
Apple Macintosh Launch – (1984)
Probably the most iconic Super Bowl commercial of all time, the launch ad for the Apple Macintosh computer with a George Orwell 1984 theme is a masterpiece in advertising.
Avocados From Mexico – Secret Society (2017)
A more recent addition to classic Super Bowl ads this commerical for Avocados From Mexico is a great ad and actually funny.
Mean Joe Greene – Coca Cola Super Bowl (1980)
Considered one of the best commercials ever made, this ad for Coca-Cola featuring then Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive tackle “Mean” Joe Greene helped shift the public’s perception of Greene as hostile and unapproachable, to a soft-hearted “nice guy”. And yes, you probably noticed it’s been referred to on The Simpsons many times.
Budweiser – Whatttsssssuppp – Super Bowl (1999)
Ever seen a show from circa the late 90s/early 2000s from the US with people saying “WHHHATTTSSSSSSUPPPPPP”?
This is where it comes from.
Pepsi – Bob Dole and Eric Stonestreet (2001)
Former 1996 republican presidential nominee, Senator Bob Dole (also constantly referred to on The Simpsons) starred in this ad for Pepsi, which also features Eric Stonestreet of Modern Family fame.
Wendy’s – Where’s the Beef? (1984)
“Where’s the beef?” Where did you hear that before? Oh that’s right! The Simpsons. It’s a reference for this commercial for US burger chain Wendys (not to be confused with the Australian soft-serve ice cream chain).
But it does indeed pose the question – Where’s the Beef?
Go Daddy – Wardrobe Malfunction (2005)
Just imagine this ad airs during the 2019 Super Bowl. Do you think the good folk on Twitter dot com would be ok with it?
(Although, it’s probably less tame than the Ulta Tune Charlie Sheen ads)
Pepsi – Cindy Crawford (1992)
1990’s Supermodel Cindy Crawford stars in ad for Pepsi, but the Pepsi is the star. Obviously.
Volkswagen – The Force (2011)
The kid thinks he’s Darth Vader. It’s pretty cool.