BRIAN:
Instead of picking a favorite, I want to talk about how many sets of commercials used the same elements. For example:
- Both Toyota and Microsoft followed the life of someone with prosthetic legs.
- Both Carnival and Toyota used a recording of a famous speech to overlay over b-roll.
- Both Sprint and Discover featured a screaming goat.
To me, it just goes to show that you have to work really hard to stand out from the crowd. You may think you have a unique idea, or you may think you’re the only one taking advantage of something trendy, but in all likelihood, someone else is doing the same thing.
TAYLOR:
In between being a disgruntled Colts fan (#DeflateGate) and planning a wedding, I managed to watch a bit of the Super Bowl. The ad that stood out to me most was McDonald’s “Pay With Lovin’.” Earlier in the week, the company teased it was going to announce a new form of payment which, we now know, includes hugs, selfies and high-fives. I think McDonald’s did a great job of incorporating its longtime slogan of “I’m Lovin’ It” to something time-related with Valentine’s Day. Also, who doesn’t like free hamburgers!
GABRIELLE:
One of the only Super Bowl ads that really stuck out to me this year was Dove Men’s Care. The majority of Dove advertisements I’ve seen in the past are typically marketed toward women through images of natural beauty and empowerment. This time I thought it was great they focused on men. I really liked how they framed the “Real Strength” of men through the videos of fathers caring for their children. They did a great job of evoking emotions and challenging gender stereotypes.