Kane’s Super Bowl Winners
The Super Bowl is the one day a year when brands try to one-up each other in the battle for the most memorable advertisement during the big game. Some go for shock factor, others are tear jerkers, but no matter the sentiment of the ad, one thing’s for sure - the commercial breaks are star-studded. The Kane team tuned into the big game not just for football or the halftime show, but for the commercials as well. Below are some of our team’s top picks.
REESE’S Cups Big Game Commercial, “Yes!”
Rating: 4/5 Stars
This commercial reminds of the off-kilter comedy that took over the advertising world in the mid-2000s. It focuses on the product and how much people love and care about it being in their lives in a fun, lighthearted way. The hilarious images of a granny crashing through a coffee table and the clearly CGI dog hula-hooping set this one apart! The simplicity of the message shined through: people love Reese's cups, no matter what form they take.
Dove, “Hard Knocks”
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Dove always helps to empower women. This ad is special because it empowers young girls to not only play sports but to get back up when they get knocked down. Their work is always fun to watch and inspiring!
Mountain Dew, “Aubrey Plaza Is Always Having a Blast”
Rating: 5/5 Stars
The Super Bowl commercial featuring Aubrey Plaza for Mountain Dew's Baja Blast brilliantly showcased her signature dry humor. Plaza injects hilarity by saying she's "having a blast" (Baja blast in hand of course) all while in absurd situations, like being stuck at a kids' party or in an elevator. Her deadpan delivery as well as a cameo from her former "Parks and Recreation" co-star, Nick Offerman, added an extra layer of comedic chemistry, making it a standout moment during the game.
Microsoft, “Copilot: Your everyday AI companion”
Rating: 4/5 Stars
This isn't an ad you'll remember for the ad itself, but its reframing of AI tools might stick with you. Microsoft moves into the chat-based AI space with a spin that's true to the evolution of its brand, taking something that's become thought of as an efficiency tool or a cheat code and turning it into a way to achieve your ambitions. Whatever your dream is, Microsoft positions its chatbot tool, Copilot, as a way to get there when everyone (even you) might be thinking it's unattainable. They find their own space for Copilot with the ad's gritty visuals and anthemic audio, taking AI chatbots out of the office and into a more personal setting.
Etsy, “Gift Mode”
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Etsy's ad did a flawless job with strategic utilization of a well-known historical event—the gifting of the Statue of Liberty by France—and effectively resonated with viewers. Traditionally known for holiday shopping, Etsy's ad in February positions the platform as a premier place for those seeking thoughtful gift ideas. Also, this is Etsy's first Super Bowl commercial!
Kia, “Perfect 10”
Rating: 5/5 Stars
As enjoyable as funny ads are to some, for others they aren't as memorable as one that is more emotional. Of course, in this ad, the car played an important part but it didn't overshadow the story they were trying to tell. Kia did a great job creating something that many people could relate to in just a short amount of time. It was a beautiful story told without any words.
BetMGM, “Tom Has Won Enough”
Rating: 3/5 Stars
NFL G.O.A.T.? Check. NHL G.O.A.T.? Check. Famous actor's quick wit and comedic genius? Check. BetMGM brought together everything we could want in an ad, but was it memorable? I preferred the other Tom Brady ad. Yes, you remember the one.
Verizon, “Can’t B Broken”
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Beyoncé broke the internet, but can she break Verizon's 5G network? Verizon's ad tapped into cultural and industry trends to highlight the reliability of the carrier's coverage. Whether it was performing from space, launching Beyonc-AI or surprise dropping the first two singles from her new album, the music icon tested Verizon's strength (and shocked music fans across the globe). A true Super Bowl champion!
Volkswagen, “An American Love Story”
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Volkswagen's history pre-1949 is... well, let's just say it's complicated. Its history in the US, though, was summed up in a pleasant nostalgia spot that traced the brand's path through the American zeitgeist. Underscored by Neil Diamond's "I am..I said", the ad focused on the brand's identification with individualism, with the first VWs turning heads in confusion and disdain to VW's adoption by the counterculture, to the newest VW rolling by to a look of admiration and desire. The nostalgic feel of the advertisement had viewers (as the kids say) right in the feels.
Doritos, “Dina & Mita”
Rating: 4/5 Stars
The main characters, Dina and Mita, are two of the more favored characters from the advertisement. The play on words incorporated the product name into the characters' identities, making the advertisement more memorable. The use of action in the ad to visually represents the fiery and spicy flavor of the chip.